2023 End of the Year Service Report
Nature Niños 2023 Year-in-Review: A Year of Growth and New Beginnings
As 2023 draws to a close, we at Nature Niños are excited to reflect on a year filled with growth, opportunities, and impactful outdoor programming for New Mexico's youth. Here's a look back at our accomplishments and some of the highlights from this transformative year, along with our vision for 2024.
A Year of Milestones and New Horizons
2023 presented both challenges and exciting opportunities for Nature Niños. We shared our 2022 Mi Tierra Salvaje research across the nation, collaborating with organizations to exchange best practices and new ideas. Since our founding in 2019, Nature Niños has been supported by the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, fostering our growth and impact statewide. This year, our journey took an exciting turn as we prepare to establish Nature Niños as an independent nonprofit organization in 2024.
Our 2023 Goals
In 2023, we focused on three main goals:
- Expanding our programs outside of Albuquerque
- Raising youth voices through leadership and outdoor engagement opportunities
- Sharing and assisting in research findings that promote meaningful engagement with nature
We're proud to have met these goals with the help of our dedicated staff, volunteers, and community support.
Event Participation and Impact
Throughout the year, Nature Niños engaged youth, families, and educators across a range of programs, from homeschool classes to charter school sessions, hikes, summer camps, and volunteer events. Here's a snapshot of our participation numbers:
- Homeschool Classes: 97 participants
- Charter School Programs: 309 participants
- Hikes: 133 participants
- Summer Camps: 267 participants
- Volunteers: 54 individuals contributing valuable support
With 28 conferences and partnership events, we served a total of 1,210 youth across New Mexico in 2023!
Funding and Support
Our work wouldn't be possible without the generosity of our grantors and donors. In 2023, we received support from the Outdoor Equity Fund, New Mexico State Department of Economic Development, Outdoor Recreation Division, Marathon Petroleum, VELA Education Fund, and many other private donors. This funding allowed us to provide over 858 hours of outdoor programs, 130 volunteer hours, and 86 partner sessions.
The funds we received were primarily allocated towards program fees (56.8%), followed by grants (13.4%), and donations (7.6%), enabling us to expand our reach and offer impactful programming. Our expenses were focused on educators (68.4%), program transportation (7.3%), supplies and partners (3%), and conferences and travel (7.3%).
Looking Forward: 2024 Goals
As we embark on a new chapter, we're setting our sights on some ambitious goals for 2024:
- Establishing Nature Niños as an independent 501(c)(3) organization
- Organizing and improving our internal processes to streamline operations
- Providing sustainable financial sources for programming to ensure our impact continues to grow
Thank You to Our Partners
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our 2023 partners, including Adam Setty, ABQ Sign Language Academy, Rio Grande Nature Center, Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center, United States Forest Service, and many others who have supported our journey.
Join Us on Our Journey
We're looking forward to an incredible 2024 with new opportunities to connect, learn, and grow in nature. If you're interested in learning more or want to get involved, visit our website or follow us on Facebook for updates on upcoming programs, events, and volunteer opportunities.
Thank you for being a part of Nature Niños' mission to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards!
Visit NatureNinos.org to learn more and see how you can support outdoor education for youth in New Mexico.
