Tom Ross: The unseen determines water traits
Routt County's Yampatika eyes federal funding
Yampatika’s summer interns appreciate possibilities
in Steamboat
Community Agriculture Alliance: Don’t retreat,
ReTree
Karen Vail: Collecting for Wild Edible Feast
Routt County celebrates Migratory Bird Day
Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day with
event at Carpenter Ranch
Colorado Group Realty announces Routt County grant
recipients
Yampatika program enhances education in Steamboat:
environmental literacy program aims to expand learning
Yampatika looking for 3 interns during summer
Steamboat's Yampatika receives grant to pay summer
interns
Officials look to Steamboat for leading environmental
education
Lowell Whiteman students volunteer at Yampatika's
Environmental Learning Center
Environmental literacy in our community
Teacher workshop in Steamboat to address environmental
literacy
Service Learning Institute program engages Routt
youths in giving back
Yampatika's Environmental Learning Center at Legacy
Ranch receives award
Celebrate migratory birds!
Youth 4-H program expanding to Steamboat
Yampatika given 2009 New Pioneer award for work
in sustainability
Hayden 4th- and 5th-graders visit Yampatika's
Environmental Learning Center at Legacy Ranch
Yampatika and Deep Roots host "Gardening from
the Ground Up"
Yampatika gets a new home: Environmental Learning
Center allows group to offer on-site programming
Click here to download
a copy of Yampatika's summer 2011 wish list.
Click to download a Winter Program brochure:
Check out our Fall Newsletter:
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Yampatika is the only non-profit organization in northwest Colorado that offers
a continuum of environmental education programs to children and adults ranging in
age from pre-K to seniors in Routt and Moffat Counties. Our mission is to inspire
environmental stewardship through education. We recently expanded our service area
by opening the Yampa Valley's first ever Environmental Learning Center
at the City of Steamboat Springs' Legacy Ranch.
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Yampatika's Environmental Learning Center at Legacy Ranch
Yampatika's Environmental Learning Center at Legacy Ranch is where we provide cutting
edge educational programs for all. It serves as a demonstration site for sustainable
technologies including vermicomposting (worm composting), composting, xeriscape
and organic gardening, heirloom gardening, precipitation monitoring, energy efficiency
site improvements, water conservation and water harvesting. Through model programs
we strive to help people of all ages learn how to reduce their carbon footprint.
No Child Left Inside: A Model Curriculum for Environmental Literacy in Routt County
Click
here for a report on results from the 2010-2011 pilot!
Yampatika has developed and pilot tested Colorado's first environmental literacy
program, "No Child Left Inside: A Model Curriculum for Environmental Literacy in
Routt County." The program was developed to support elementary schools' existing
curriculum frameworks and reinforce academic achievement as quantified by Colorado
Student Assessment Program (CSAP) standards. It was pilot tested at the K-5 level
with the Steamboat Springs School District in the 2010-2011 school year. Its "curriculum
blocks" consist of three exposures to an environmental topic, which varies based
on the grade level. Exposures include an in-class unit, a field unit on public lands,
and a service-learning unit at Yampatika's Environmental Learning Center at Legacy
Ranch.
There is a natural opportunity and an increasing need to involve youth in active
pursuits in the outdoors. The "No Child Left Inside" movement is commonly considered
an outgrowth of awareness brought to light by Richard Louv, author of the best-selling
book, Last Child in the Woods (available for purchase at Yampatika's Nature
Store). Louv describes the dramatic decline in our children's ability to connect
with nature because of what he calls Nature Deficit Syndrome.
"Steamboat Springs is a model for environmental education in the state. You have
such a reputation for walking the talk. We just know you’re going to be able to
teach the rest of us how to make this happen. We need your leadership on this. Steamboat
is ahead of the curve." - Colorado Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien
Environmental education and academic performance are intricately linked. In one
study, 92 percent of comparisons indicated that students who were taught using an
environmental framework "academically outperform their peers in traditional programs."
Additionally, evidence gathered from the same study of 40 schools indicates that
students learn more effectively within an environment-based context than within
a traditional educational framework. Some observed benefits include: better performance
on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science,
and social studies.
The Center for Disease Control and prevention identifies key strategies for schools
in helping to prevent childhood obesity. These strategies relate to the child's
nutritional opportunities and to the opportunities available to children to engage
in active, outdoor opportunities. Yampatika's program meets identified needs to
get youth outside so they can be healthy, active, and productive.
There is an increasing awareness at the local, state and national levels about the
need to integrate environmental education and outdoor experiences into our schools
curricula. At the federal level, The "No Child Left inside Act" was introduced to
advance environmental education in our nation's schools. In 2010, Colorado's former
Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien spearheaded the Colorado Kids Outdoors (CKO)
effort. CKO is committed to creating a healthy future for Colorado's youth by increasing
the amount of time kids spend outside, in nature. Yampatika recently won a CKO grant
to help high school youth develop careers in environmental education through an
internship program. In a recent visit to Steamboat Springs, the Lt. Governor said
this about Yampatika's environmental literacy program.
"Steamboat has such a reputation for walking the talk. We just know you're going
to be able to teach the rest of us how to make this happen. We need your leadership
on this." - Colorado Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien
Also at the state level, the Colorado Kids Outdoors Grant Program Act (HB10-1131)
was passed in 2010. The Act provides direction to the Colorado Department of Education
(CDE) to prepare, implement and fund an environmental literacy plan. The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
spearheaded an effort to create a framework for environmental literacy in Colorado.
It was submitted to CDE in February 2011.
Yampatika's program capitalizes on the opportunity, need and awareness for environmental
literacy in Routt County and works with interested elementary schools to enhance
programming through the effort. In April 2011, preliminary findings were shared
at the Colorado Alliance
for Environmental Education's (http://www.caee.org/) 2011 conference and in October
2011 they will be shared at the
North American Association of Environmental Education's (http://www.naaee.net/) annual conference.
Join
the No Child Left inside Coalition today!
Interpreting our History thanks to History Colorado's State Historical Fund
The Legacy Ranch may soon be known as the Hutchinson Ranch for the woman who homesteaded
it, Elizabeth Hutchinson. Born in Kentucky in about 1839, Elizabeth Doggett (later
Hutchinson) made her way west by way of Missouri. She was the official homesteader
of what is now known as Yampatika's Environmental Learning Center at Legacy Ranch,
acquiring the original 160 acres through the Homestead Act in 1899. Her husband,
Frisbie Hutchinson, ranched and owned land near Yampa in south Routt County and
does not appear to have been involved with the parcel Elizabeth homesteaded. Although
she only owned the property for a short time she must have made improvements and
lived on the site before being granted a patent. No known structures relating to
her period of ownership exist on the Ranch today.
In 2010, Yampatika was awarded a grant from The State Historical Fund to tell Elizabeth's
story, and the story of the Ranch and its buildings, through the lens of history.
Through the grant we have been providing the opportunity for the public to learn
about the site through open houses and guided snowshoe tours. This fall we will
also provide for self-guided discovery through a walking tour brochure and interpretive
signage on-site. Our strong partnership with the City of Steamboat Springs (http://steamboatsprings.net/) has been
key to the success of this project.
Partnering to Promote Energy Efficiency, thanks to the Governor's Energy Office (GEO)
Yampatika, Yampa Valley Partners (YVP) and The Yampa Valley Sustainability Council
(YVSC) have recently partnered to make people aware of energy efficiency measures
and opportunities provided by GEO. Having won a recent GEO marketing grant, the
three groups have come together to offer adult workshops on energy efficiency; sell
carbon tags to support The Colorado Carbon Fund; and implement education programs
in area schools to help youth engage in programs to promote energy efficiency. Expanding
our At-Risk Youth Program. Thanks to Alpine Banks of Colorado (https://www.alpinebank.com/),
Margaret Bass Berglund, Colorado Kids Outdoors (http://coloradokidsoutdoors.org/)
The Colorado Group
Realty Foundation (http://www.mybrokers.com/), David and Donna Howell, United Way of Routt County (http://unitedwayroutt.com/)
and TIC, Inc. (http://ticus.com/)
Many of our members are not exposed to the outdoors as much as they should be, and
with Yampatika’s winter break program, things are beginning to change…If it weren’t
for Yampatika’s program, most of these kids would be spending break in front of
the TV or playing computer games. Instead they have a newfound appreciation of the
outdoors, which I am sure will translate into making better decisions for their
own health and the health of our environment. -Jessica Schnittka, Senior
Staff, The Boys and Girls Club of Steamboat Springs
Our programs serve EVERYONE and provide opportunities for ALL. We believe that ALL
youth have a right to develop an appreciation of the outdoors, which translates
into making better decisions for their own health and the health of the environment.
In 2011, we will continue our popular partnership programs with The Boys and Girls
Club of Steamboat Springs; continue to provide scholarships to at-risk youth wishing
to attend Yampatika’s summer camps; AND provide career development opportunities
to high-school age youth who wish to intern at Yampatika.
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Staff
Sonja Macys, Executive Director
Sonja's career as an Environmental Educator began in Mexico where she worked for
Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan, developing school programs, working with youth groups
and resource users in the Yucatan Peninsula's Coastal Biosphere Reserves. Her educational
background includes a Masters Degree in Parks and Protected Area Management from
Colorado State University, a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and Management,
and a B.A. in Anthropology and Environmental Studies. She comes to Yampatika most
recently from the Tucson Audubon Society where she was Executive Director for six
years. During her tenure there, the United States House of Representatives recognized
Sonja for her leadership in conservation in Southeastern Arizona. When not working
at Yampatika, Sonja can be found riding horses, skiing or enjoying bluegrass festivals.
Sonja's e-mail address is Sonja@yampatika.org.
Melissa Calhoon, Program Coordinator
Melissa has been active in the recreational and youth development field over the
last twelve years in several different capacities. She has a B.S. in Parks and Recreational
Services, Natural Resource Management specializing in Open Space Planning and Outdoor
Leadership and she is a Masters in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy candidate
with an expected graduation date of January 2012. Melissa comes most recently from
Partners in Routt County where she established a strong School-Based Mentoring program
and managed the agency's recreational programming. Over the last ten years, she
has been exploring the valley and enjoying the mountains. Melissa is excited to
use her program management experience at Yampatika. When Melissa is not working
or studying, she is enjoying the outdoors with her husband and her dog, Bear. Karen
can be reached at Melissa@yampatika.org.
Karen Vail, Naturalist
Karen Vail has been involved in Yampatika from its beginning--way back in the early
1990s. Karen received a B.S. in Horticulture, with a concentration in Botany from
Colorado State University, and earned her Master's Degree in Gardening from the
Royal Horticultural Society in England. She rode the "big yellow bus" for a year
on Audubon Expedition Institute during her first year towards a Masters in Environmental
Education, finishing up at Antioch in New England. She runs her own landscaping
business, and has recently published a book of beautiful wild flower photographs,
entitled "For the Joy of Wildflowers: Colorado Creations." She has also created
a DVD of local wildflowers. Karen can be reached at Karen@yampatika.org.
Sue Hansen
Sue Hansen is a long time local and outdoor enthusiast. She has a B.S. in International
Business and Marketing from the University of Colorado at Boulder, a resort management
degree from CMC, and is a certified massage therapist. She owns and manages SK Hansen,
Inc., a company that provides bookkeeping, property management, massage, notary
and pet sitting services. She brings these skills and organization to Yampatika.
Growing up as a Girl Scout, Sue believes in the importance of outdoor education.
When she is not working, you can find her bicycling, gardening, skiing and enjoying
outdoor music festivals. She also enjoys traveling and exploring faraway places.
One of her life goals is to trek in every major mountain range in the world.
Kevin McGarity
Kevin has been living in Steamboat for the past year and can already feel the curse
of the Yampa Valley. Kevin graduated from Ohio Dominican University with a B.A.
of History. Before working with Yampatika, Kevin was a School-Based Mentor for Partners
in Routt County where he worked at Soroco Middle School. In addition, Kevin also
coaches lacrosse for Steamboat Springs High School and Steamboat Youth Lacrosse.
In his free time Kevin loves to Backpack, Climb and Bike. When not enjoying the
outdoors Kevin can be found at local Bluegrass shows or pickin' his banjo.
Tom Kelly
Tom Kelly has an undergraduate degree in metallurgical engineering from the University
of Illinois, an MS in economics and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He has
skied in Steamboat since 2000 and moved here permanently in 2007. Tom is an Ambassador
for the Steamboat Ski Corporation during the winter, and continues to work at mastering
his flora and fauna identification skills. In past years he has led tours at Fish
Creek Falls, at Vista Verde Guest Ranch, on the Mt Werner ski area, at Duffy Mountain
south of Craig, along the Yampa River, and most recently, a geology tour on Cedar
Mountain northwest of Craig. He completed, successfully, the US Army’s Ranger, Special
Forces Officer Qualifying Course and Jungle School. He made Eagle Scout while in
high school.
Board of Directors and Advisors
Board of Directors
Sherry Benson, President
Jamie Letson, Secretary
Ed MacArthur, Treasurer
Charlotte Jensen, Volunteer Coordinator
Jeremy Behling, Development Committee Chair
Daniel Foley, Director at Large
Cindy Gantick, Director at Large
Jeremy Behling, Director at Large
Christopher H. Taylor, Director at Large
Susan E. Mead, M.H., Director at Large
Advisors
Linda May Morrison
Ward Van Scoyk, Attorney
Gina Robison, Bureau of Land Management
Danielle M, Domson, Colorado Division of Wildlife
Mary Griffin, Colorado State Forest Service
Robert Skorkowsky, UDSA Forest Service
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