Nature Scholars Foundation

Imagine… You’re a seven-year-old student in Keyes Elementary School’s after-school program.

One afternoon, Tripp the Tumbleweed rolls into your classroom with an exciting request - he needs your help writing about his adventures in Channel Islands National Park!

Your Mission:

Complete a 15-day video and workbook experience called “I’m a Tripp Planner!”where you’ll explore the history, culture, and beauty of America’s national parks.
Answer several questions to co-author Tripp’s Channel Islands National Park book.
Celebrate with Tripp and your classmates in an assembly where your co-authored book will be read aloud, you’ll be presented with an “I’m a Tripp Planner” backpack, and welcomed as a proud Nature Scholar, a young author helping to protect the planet, one story at a time.

Now imagine …This moment multiplied sixty-three times across after-school program classrooms in underserved communities nationwide.

By sparking curiosity and inspiring elementary school aged children to learn, understand, and protect nature, we’re nurturing lifelong stewards of the planet and cultivating a future rooted in awareness, wonder, and responsibility.

So, your donation doesn’t just support education - it gives children the power to say:

So far, the Nature Scholars Foundation has served over 100 students in after-school programs.

The Foundation builds on this evidence - helping children in underserved communities discover their power to protect the planet, one story at a time.

Environmental Education Across Age, Race, & Income Stern (2022, Environmental Education Research)
Engaged Environmental Science for Underserved Youth Kirsch et al. (2019, Environmental Health Perspectives)
Adventure Therapy & Positive Youth Development Norton et al. (2023, Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education & Leadership)
Learning in Nature: Meta-Analysis of Youth Outcomes Vasilaki et al. (2025, Education Sciences)

Growing Nature Scholars. One Storybook at a Time.

Welcome to Nature Scholars Foundation

Enlighten

Enlighten

Enlighten

Inspire

Enlighten

Enlighten

Explore

Enlighten

Explore

Help Students Write the 1st Chapter of Their Nature Journey

(Literally)

“I am an author. I am a protector of nature.”

So far, the Nature Scholars Foundation has served over 100 students in after-school programs.

“I’ve never seen my students so engaged. They didn’t just write a story, they discovered their voice, their creativity, and their responsibility to care for the planet.”

Why We’re Focused on Serving Underserved Communities

Taking Leadership Roles

Taking Leadership Roles

Taking Leadership Roles

Mentoring Peers

Taking Leadership Roles

Taking Leadership Roles

Supporting Group Goals

Taking Leadership Roles

Serving as community stewards

Serving as community stewards

Becoming more environmentally responsible

Serving as community stewards

Becoming more environmentally responsible

Becoming more environmentally responsible

Becoming more environmentally responsible

Teachers and Students Have Validated the Research:

"Writing about Tripp made me realize how much life there is in one little leaf, one park."

"We learned that protecting nature isn’t just for grown-ups. It’s something we can do every day."

"We learned that protecting nature isn’t just for grown-ups. It’s something we can do every day."

"We learned that protecting nature isn’t just for grown-ups. It’s something we can do every day."

"We learned that protecting nature isn’t just for grown-ups. It’s something we can do every day."

"We learned that protecting nature isn’t just for grown-ups. It’s something we can do every day."

"When we wrote our Tripp story, I felt like my ideas mattered. I helped write a real book."

"When we wrote our Tripp story, I felt like my ideas mattered. I helped write a real book."

"When we wrote our Tripp story, I felt like my ideas mattered. I helped write a real book."

"I’ve never seen my students so engaged. They discovered their voice."

"When we wrote our Tripp story, I felt like my ideas mattered. I helped write a real book."

"When we wrote our Tripp story, I felt like my ideas mattered. I helped write a real book."

Here's a Few of the After-School Programs We've Worked With:

With your support, we look forward to working with more!

LINKS for Learning in Livingston, MT

Students in LINKS for Learning helped coauthor Tripp's adventure in Cuyahoga Valley.

Students in LINKS for Learning helped coauthor Tripp's adventure in Cuyahoga Valley.

Students in LINKS for Learning helped coauthor Tripp's adventure in Cuyahoga Valley.

Students in LINKS for Learning helped coauthor Tripp's adventure in Cuyahoga Valley.

Students in LINKS for Learning helped coauthor Tripp's adventure in Cuyahoga Valley.

Keyes After-School Program in Keyes, CA

Students at the Keyes After-School Program helped co-author Tripp's adventures in the Channel Islands.

Waterford Expanded Learning Program in Waterford, CA

Students at the Waterford Expanded Learning Program helped co-author Tripp's adventures in Sequoia National Park.

Donate to the Nature Scholars Foundation

This website uses cookies.