Partners
Texas Children in Nature Network is a collaborative of over 600 partner organizations that are dedicated to connecting children and families with nature to be healthier, happier and smarter.
In order to become an official partner of Texas Children in Nature Network we are asking for organizations to read our strategic plan and sign on to support our mission, no fees involved. As a partner organization you will be eligible to attend partner networking events, share resources, your logo will be displayed on our website, and more!
I hope your organization will become a partner of Texas Children in Nature Network. We are looking forward to an amazing next three years and can’t wait to get started! You can sign on as a partner by filling out this google form: https://forms.gle/hB2FegBj84q78MXZ6
Partner Spotlights
Amanda McMickle
On January 21st Amanda McMickle, with Compass Rose Charter School, sat down with Sarah to talk about some of the great work they are doing in San Antonio.
Amanda, why don't you introduce yourself and let us know a little about what you do:
I'm Amanda McMickle. I am a school leader at Compass Rose Journey. I work to improve the schools nature and place based learning programs.
Tell us a bit about the Compass Rose Journey...
moreAmelia Haslam
On March 15th Amelia Haslam Smith from Camp Aranzazu sat down with Sarah Coles, Texas Children in Nature Network Executive Director, to talk about their program and how they are engaging with children and families in the Coastal Bend.
Introduce yourself and tell us about what you do:
My name is Amelia Haslam Smith and I am the Camp Director at Camp Aranzazu. I have been with the organization for eight years, I started as a...
moreAustin Youth River Watch
On December 11th Chanel Davis and Beth Bennett from Austin Youth River Watch sat down with to talk about their program and how they are engaging youth in the Austin area,
Introduce yourselves and tell us about what you do:
My name is Beth Bennett, I am the Senior Program Coordinator with River Watch. I have been with the organization for over three years. In school I studied environmental policy in college at St Edwards. I focused...
moreBayou City Play
Jill met with Alice on February 9, 2024 to share more about Bayou City Play's work and new resources.
Jill, please introduce yourself and tell us a little about you:
My name is Jill and I’m a librarian and playworker. I founded Adventure Play at The Parish School in 2008. It is one of only a handful of adventure playgrounds in the United States and...
moreCari Browning and OLE! Texas
On April 6th Cari Browning sat down with Sarah Coles, Texas Children in Nature Network Executive Director, to talk about the OLE! Texas initiative and how it is creating nature rich outdoor spaces for Early Childhood Centers across the state.
Introduce yourself and tell us about what you do:
My name is Cari Browning, I am a Recreation Therapist with a master's degree in International Health Promotion. I work as the Physical...
moreCity of San Antonio
Kelsey Scherschel met with Alice on March 15th to share more about the City of San Antonio's work to create Nature Smart Libraries that provide children and families more access to outdoors spaces and nature-based programming.
Kelsey, please introduce yourself and let us know a little about you:
I’m Kelsey Scherschel and I am the Natural Areas Manager for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department. I oversee all the parks...
moreEcoRise
Gina LaMotte sat down with Sarah to find out more about EcoRise, their research and what it has to tell us about Children in Nature.
Gina, introduce yourself and tell us what you do:
My name is Gina LaMotte and I am the Founder President and Chief Innovation Officer of EcoRise. My position is a lot of community partnerships and raise our impact in environmental education to the next level, experiment with ideas and a bit of...
moreEnvironment Texas
Luke Metzger met with Alice on June 28, 2023 to share more about the work Environment Texas does and the Centennial Bill coming up on the November ballot.
Luke, please introduce yourself and let us know a little about you:
I'm Luke Metzger, the Executive Director of Environment Texas, and I've been in Texas for twenty-three years. I'm married and have three kids...
moreGreen Space Alliance South Texas
On January 13th Carra Garza from Green Spaces Alliance South Texas sat down with to talk about their program and how they are engaging youth in the San Antonio area.
Introduce yourselves and tell us about what you do:
My name is Carra Garza. I am the Picture Your World Program Manager with Green Spaces Alliance South Texas. I have been running this program since 2013. I was introduced to it as an artist, I had been invited to be a...
moreGround Work Dallas
On September 15th, 2021 Katherina Kang, Education Director of Groundwork Dallas, sat down with Sarah to talk about some of the great work they are doing in North Texas.
Katherina, why don't you introduce yourself and let us know a little about you:
My name is Katherina Kang. I am the Education Director for Groundwork Dallas, I focus on creating youth education opportunities for our volunteers and attendees at our events, this can...
moreKaboom!
On August 10th, 2021 Lysa Ratkiff, Executive Director of Kaboom!, sat down with Sarah to talk about some great initiatives they are piloting in Texas.
Lysa, why don't you introduce yourself and let us know a little about you:
My name is Lysa Ratliff and I am the CEO of a national non-profit organization called KABOOM! We have been working for the last 25 years to bring communities and kids together to end playspace inequity for...
moreJacey Tosh
On April 30th Jacey Tosh from Texas A&M Forest Service sat down with Sarah to talk about their program and how they are engaging children and families in nature in Texas.
Introduce yourselves and tell us about what you do:
My name is Jacey Tosh, and I am the Conservation Educator for the Texas A&M Forest Service. Texas A&M Forest Service is the state agency responsible for the conservation and protection of forest...
moreLand Stewards Ambassador Program
On March 30th Helen Holdsworth and Masi Mejia sat down with Sarah Coles, Texas Children in Nature Network Executive Director, to talk about their program and how they are engaging with youth in three communities in Texas.
Introduce yourselves and tell us about what you do:
My name is Helen Holdsworth and I am the Chief of Engagement at the Witte Museum. I am involved of anything where we engage students, visitors or special...
morePEAS: Partners for Education, Agriculture and Sustainability
Lauren met with Alice recently to share more about PEAS - Partners for Education, Agriculture and Sustainability's work and new resources.
Lauren, please introduce yourself and tell us a little about you:
I am Lauren Zappone Maples. I'm the Founder and Executive Director of PEAS which stands for Partners for Education, Agriculture and Sustainability. I started out as a...
moreRoam Wild
Adam Flores met with Sarah on August 25th to share more about Roam Wild and how they work to engage more children and youth in nature.
Adam, please introduce yourself and let us know a little about you:
My name is Adam Flores and I am the founder of Roam Wild, a North Texas nonprofit that works to get young people from diverse backgrounds outside enjoying nature through adventure travel. I grew up mostly in Minneapolis, Minnesota...
moreSammy's House
On November 16, 2021 Isabel Huerta, Director of Sammy's House, sat down with Sarah to talk about some of the great work they are doing in Austin.
Isabel, why don't you introduce yourself and let us know a little about you:
My name is Isabel Huerta and I am the Executive Director and Founder of Sammy's House. Sammy's House is a non-profit agency that provides services to children and young adults with disabilities in Austin. We...
moreTexans for Clean Water
Maia met with Alice on April 23, 2024 to share more about Texans for Clean Water's work.
Maia Corbitt is the President and driving force behind Texans for Clean Water which is a Texas Children in Nature Network partner. This Texas Longhorn has been working on water and waste issues in Texas for over 20 years now. Tell us more about yourself.
I started my career in the water and waste nexus with the Lower Colorado River Authority...
moreThe University of Texas School Gardens Program
On January 11th Jaime Davis and Michele Hockett Cooper from The University of Texas School Gardens Program sat down with to talk about their program and how they are engaging teachers and students in the Austin area,
Introduce yourselves and tell us about what you do:
My name is Michele Hockett Cooper. I have been with the University of Texas for five years. I started working at UT with Jaime in her lab as a program coordinator in...
moreFounding Partners
Appleseed Events
AgriLife
Caretakers of the Environmental International USA
Denton County AgriLife Extension
Friends of Guadalupe River State Park
Hartsfield Elementary School - Houston ISD
North Texas Mycological Association Club
Quinta Mazatlan
Robotic Education Foundation