Our Core Values
- We are committed to helping children understand and value their natural world through scientific investigation and outdoor exploration.
- We are united by a deep respect and love of nature and believe that access to nature is the birthright of every child.
- We think education is good and valuable in its own right.
- We believe that humans have a non-negotiable duty to care for the environment and the plants and animals that rely on it.
- We believe our environmental future depends on us teaching children how to be good environmental stewards.
- We focus on the local environment because that is where citizens can make the greatest impact.
- We think science is best learned through hands-on exploration.
- We believe every child should have the chance to discover his/her personal passion. We give kids the opportunity to explore the world around them and perhaps discover a scientist within.
- We are life-long learners and feel comfortable saying, “I don’t know.” We believe in asking questions and finding answers.
- We believe that educating and empowering children is the key to social change. This is a long-term investment and we perceive our work to be ‘planting seeds’ that may sprout years or even decades in the future.
- We believe that children are capable of great things and we stand ready to facilitate that greatness.
- We welcome opportunities to collaborate and share resources with other organizations.
- We believe in the power of grassroots organizing. We agree with Margaret Mead “that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
- We value pragmatism above ideology. We recognize that the environment faces complex problems that require creative solutions.
- We realize that some people do not share our values but that does not make them bad or wrong. We work to build bridges and find common ground.
- We strive to perpetually improve our organization, our programs, and ourselves through honest evaluation and critique.
Stay close to small things