Thorne Ecological Institute

“The 990 is reviewed and recommended for approval by the finance committee prior to approval by the full board at a board meeting.”

“Each director, principal officer, and member of a committee with board- delegated powers shall at the onset of their service sign a statement which affirms that said person has received a copy of the conflict of interest policy, has read and understands the policy, and agrees to comply with it.”

“The organization has reviewed the colorado nonprofit salary survey and completed a salary analysis of like organizations, and bases its salary on how it chooses to pay staff comparatively, with approval from the board of directors.”

“Governing and financial documents are available upon request.”

“Volunteer and in-kind support play a critical role in the success of thorne's mission, by ensuring all programs are delivered through the most cost-effective means possible. Our 232 dedicated volunteers gave us a total of 9749 hours of their time during the fiscal year. Thorne is governed by a volunteer board of trustees who oversees policy level decisions for the organization, hires and manages the executive director, and ensures thorne's financial health and well-being. Additional volunteers and interns provided support both in the office and with the thorne programs. Thorne has a successful internship program for undergraduates to gain hands-on experience with teaching outdoors in nature. Typical volunteer projects at thorne include procuring auction items for thorne's annual fundraiser, natural night out, assembling student authored mini books and creating teaching props for thorne's in-school program; assisting teachers and students in the after school program; serving as teaching assistants for summer camp, nature mentors and teaching assistants at nature preschool; and lead teachers for one of the stations at sombrero marsh during our 2nd grade field trip program. Community and corporate groups spend the spring and fall identifying and eradicating invasive plants at sombrero marsh environmental learning center.”

“Thorne accomplishes its mission through three core programs that primarily serve boulder county youth: school programs - annually engages 10,000+ students through classroom presentations, field trips, and after-school programs designed to support academic learning and build nature connection. Youth participate in thorne's in-school program, which expands students' knowledge in the areas of science and literacy through a three-class series of lessons that involve interactive explorations, inquiry-based experiments, and writing a picture book. All 2nd grade youth receive a full-day nature field trip to a local open space area that utilizes fun, hands-on, place-based environmental education experiences to teach natural science concepts and foster empathy for other living things. A portion of students who enjoy in school programs also attend an immersive 12-week after-school program that allows participants to deepen their connection to nature by exploring in and around their schoolyard with experienced nature mentors. Summer camp - annually provides youth ages 5-15 with the opportunity to explore local grassland, evergreen forest, and wetland habitats with an experienced nature mentor. At camp, children are encouraged to tap into the spirit of play and follow their own unique interests while staff seamlessly integrate learning from the lessons that abound within nature's classroom. In 2022 thorne served 1092 campers for a two-week program, with 26% of families receiving a scholarship. Ece programs - annually engages youth ages 3-6 in a unique preschool experience that fosters the development of the whole-child and nature connection through daily immersion in nature with caring, attentive mentors. In addition, 350+ youth ages 2 and up and their families participate in a lil-explorers parent and child program which is designed to build the knowledge, skills, and interest needed to foster a lifelong love of nature exploration for the entire family. In addition, thorne is the backbone and provides programming for nature kids/jovenes de la naturaleza (nkjn) - a 20-organizaiton effort to provide 1 million plus annually in pre-k to high school, backyard to backcountry, and family integrated environmental education and outdoor recreation programming to underserved lafayette youth. Nkjn has also helped to build more than 2.5 million in parks and trails to ensure all lafayette youth live within a safe 10-minute walk to nature. During 2021, the nkjn program will begin expansion into the city of boulder with hopes of expanding to longmont in 2022.”