In 2009, Yampatika undertook its most successful fundraising campaign ever. The "We're branching out" campaign brought in $25,000 to support school programs and the creation of an Environmental Learning Center at the City of Steamboat Springs owned Legacy Ranch. The Ranch is a historically significant site with a conservation easement on a portion of its 132 acres. It consists of six structures, including a 1917 ranch house, a1930's-style bunk house, and several out buildings, and is located at the intersection of Highway 40 and 131.
The Yampatika Environmental Learning Center will be a community destination for place-based programming. Youth programs, including school field trips and summer camps, will be offered. An Educator Resource Library will be housed on site and will provide environmental education resources to area educators. The Ranch offers an invaluable opportunity to educate people about the significance of plants throughout history. In conjunction with local agricultural groups, a variety of pocket gardens will be created to enhance Yampatika's curriculum about agriculture heritage and heirloom plants. Adult programs are planned for the winter of 2009.
Click to download a summer program brochure:
Mission, Vision and Values
Yampatika is a not-for profit organization whose mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through education. We fulfill our mission in by implementing hands-on inquiry-based educational programs; advocating conservation and the sound use of natural lands and cultural resources; and strengthening connections to natural and cultural environments through place-based education.
Yampatika was established in 1992 as the "Yampatika Outdoor Awareness Association" by a group of community members and government agencies that sought to provide environmental interpretation in a rural setting. Today, Yampatika continues to rely on private individuals and government entities; our collaborative efforts have grown to include partners in the private sector and the school systems in both Routt and Moffat Counties.
Each year, our small, but dedicated, staff and committed volunteers deliver environmental education programs to nearly 20,000 residents and visitors. The quality of our programs and our continuous presence in the community has gained us recognition at the state and national levels. In 1996 and again in 2002, we received the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, "Educators for Excellence" award, and in 1998, we were honored with the "Partners in Action" award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) for wilderness education. In 2008, we were nominated as a New Pioneer, an award given by the Community Alliance of the Yampa Valley.
The Yampatika Team
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.
Michelle Visocky, Naturalist
Michelle grew up in Evergreen, Colorado and is a 4th generation Coloradoan. She has a degree in Applied Human Sciences in Interior Design as well as an Environmental Sciences Degree in Sustainable Community Restoration and Eco Design from Prescott College in Prescott, AZ. Michelle has over 4 years of environmental education experience and has been a snowboard instructor for eight years. She loves to hike, fish, bike, and explore on a regular basis. Michelle loves kids and flowers, and will always be a mountain girl. She can be reached at Michelle@yampatika.org.
Elaine Sturges, Naturalist, School Programs
Elaine received a BS in Environmental Interpretation from Colorado State University, a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming, and an MS & BS in Childhood Development and Early Childhood Development/Early Childhood Education from Cornell University. She has nearly 30 years of experience as an environmental educator and has received numerous awards for her work and publications in environmental education. Elaine is an avid square dancer and, if you're lucky, she'll show you a few moves. During the spring and fall, Elaine conducts nature programs for all the Routt County Preschools and Child Care Centers. She is a Project WILD/Project Learning Tree facilitator for workshops for teachers and enjoys singing and playing the guitar. You can reach Elaine at Elaine@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.
Tom Kelly, Summer Naturalist
Tom and Diane Kelly moved from Wilmette, Illinois, to Steamboat Springs in July of 2007. Their daughter, Bridget, moved first, back in 2000. Tom became an Eagle Scout while an Explorer Scout, and received additional wilderness training at the US Army Ranger School, the Special Forces Officer Qualifying Course and the Jungle Operations Training Center in Panama. He worked at the ski school during the wonderful winter of 2007/2008, and enjoys being a reference librarian at the Bud Werner Memorial Library. Tom can be reached at info@yampatika.org.
Gail Hanley, Summer Naturalist
Gail grew up in Westminster, CO and has lived in Steamboat for over 25 years. She has volunteered for the BLM in Utah at the John Jarvie historic site in Browns Park, and also worked at Flaming Gorge Dam as a tour guide. Gail was the store manager and volunteer coordinator at the Tread of Pioneers Museum for four years. She has been involved with Yampatika for many years as a volunteer, tour guide to Browns Park and a Board Member. Gail enjoys camping, hiking, traveling, watercolor painting and making earrings when she has time. Gail can be reached at info@yampatika.org.
Anna Kurtz, Summer Naturalist
Anna Kurtz grew up in Chapel Hill North Carolina and attended college at Appalachian State University. She has a degree in Recreation Management with a concentration in Outdoor Education. Anna has spent the last four summers guiding teen adventure trips in places like Alaska, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Costa Rica, and beautiful Colorado. She absolutely loves working with kids and has a contagious enthusiasm for education. Anna has lived in Steamboat for three seasons and enjoys snowboarding, biking, climbing, and exploring in our "backyard". Anna can be reached at info@yampatika.org.
Sue Nason, Administrative Coordinator
Sue grew up in Palatine, IL. She came to Colorado in1993, where she fell in love with everything having to do with the mountains. She has lived in Denver and Crested Butte, and moved to Steamboat in December 2007. When she is not working at Yampatika, Sue is a Massage Therapist. She and her fiance and their dogs enjoy the outdoors on a daily basis. Sue can be reached at Sue@yampatika.org.
Board of Directors and Advisors
Board of Directors
Lindarose Berkley, President
Sherry Benson, Vice President
David C. Howell, Secretary
Charlotte Jensen, Volunteer Coordinator
Ann Noyes, Membership Coordinator
Julie Dalke, Director at Large
Advisors
Diann Ritschard, USDA Forest Service Public Affairs
Linda May Morrison
Ward Van Scoyk, Attorney
Gina Robison, Bureau of Land Management
Careers at Yampatika
Thank you for your interest in Yampatika! We do not have any positions open at this time.
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