It’s been a great privilege to bring all-outdoor nature programming to thousands of kids in Tompkins County and beyond over the past 15 years. I know the work we do is vital to the health and well-being of our community and the future of our planet, and I get to witness kids growing up into resilient, competent people who make a real difference in the world!
The images that Sarah Chaffee captured in this summer slide show give us a tiny glimpse into the critical impact that time in nature can have...
2017 has been a very reflective year for us. We took time to ask difficult questions and looked for ways to amplify our impact in Ithaca and beyond. Staff members participated in visioning exercises, the New Jim Crow Community Book Read, and several workshops including "Undoing Racism" with the People's Institute for Survival and "From Scarcity to Abundance" with the Natural Leaders Initiative.
We emerged with renewed clarity for our mission and business goals as we move into 2018.
Mission: Increase Nature Access for All
Nature connection can be a place of common ground between diverse communities. We have come to know that our work will only be truly successful if it is available to everyone. We are working to create a culture that is inclusive of a broader experience because it will make us stronger. And, we believe that this larger ring of influence and perspectives will expand the positive social impact of our work. Our efforts to increase Nature Access for All include:
- Greater staff and participant diversity
- Expanding Community Partnerships
- Continued Staff Development
- Initiatives to reach more children in the ICSD
Business: Financial and Organizational Stability
Our business objective this year will focus on our financial success for organizational stability and growth.
- New fundraising efforts (stay tuned for a possible winter event!)
- Increasing sponsorships & partnerships
- Get outside grant writing help
If you would like to hear more or help with these goals, please be in touch, we would love to talk! If you too believe that getting kids outside, being active in their natural world is critical for their future then I hope you will consider a tax-deductible year-end gift to help them on their way – all of them!
And a great BIG Thank You for anything you have already done to support this mission! If you would like to hear more or help with our goals, please be in touch, we would love to talk!
In sincere gratitude,
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