Easing into the New Year
As the days gradually get longer, winter precipitation slowly encourages new life, and we ease back into work after the holidays, we eagerly welcome the new year.
At ITE, we feel a renewed sense of gratitude for the gifts given by you – our community. We look forward to fulfilling our resolution to provide nurturing experiences for all those we hold dear.
Read on to hear about our fundraising campaign accomplishments, changes to the team, and a special event. Happy New Year!
The Success of Our Year End Campaign
Because of the generosity of our donors and supporters, we were able to ring in the new year feeling energized and motivated to sustain and grow our community of youth, staff, partners, and friends.
Including Giving Tuesday, those who donated towards our Year End Campaign helped us exceed our goal of $15,000 and raise $16,426!
AZ Zipline Adventures, Bennett, Brian & Tina, Carolyn, Dean, Dinkar, Doug, Franklin & Anne, Gordon, Helen & Johnny, Jan, Jane, Janet & Victor, Joan, Joseph & Holly, Julie, Katya, Kevin, Lloyd & Bob, Madeleine, Manuel & Percilla, Mark & Krista, Michelle, Paul, Phoebe, Rebecca, Ross, Rupal, Scott, Scott, Shannon & Mark, Tahnee, Technicians For Sustainability, Vincent, and William
Thank you for supporting our mission!
Join Us on the Chuk-son Trail!
Saturday, January 14th, 2023
You’re invited to join us for this annual BEYOND event!
As you walk this ~1.5 mile stretch of the Chuk-son Trail, you will meet ITE staff and youth leaders at points of significance. At each stop, you will hear an interpretive story that highlights the culture, ecology, and communities of the past and present.
Start time: Group tours will begin every 15 minutes between 8:30-9:30am, show up whenever works best for you!
Starting point: The parking lot just east of Mission Garden, 946 W Mission Ln.
End time: About 1.5 hours after your starting time. We will officially end by 12pm.
End point: El Tiradito Shrine, 418 S Main Ave.
Please RSVP before the event. We hope to see you there!
Changes to the ITE Team
Before the holidays and taking some time off work, the ITE team celebrated a job well done for the Fall. Most of the team gathered at Tohono Chul for a tour of the gardens and to share a meal together. This was a great way to spend time together before the changes brought with the new year…
- Rebecca Pérez, Program Coordinator, will be leaving the ITE team as she has accepted a new position with The Wilderness Society. We would like to send a huge thank you to Rebecca for the energy and expertise she’s brought to our team and programs, and we wish her the best in this new role. Congratulations, Rebecca!
- Paige Humphrey is the newest addition to our team as ITE’s Program Manager. Welcome, Paige, we’re excited to have you!
- Isaac Cortés has been promoted from ITE Field Instructor to Program Coordinator – woohoo!
- Chrissy Maes has been promoted from Development Coordinator to Engagement Manager – nice job!
- We’re getting ready to say “see you soon!” to Kristen Sawyer, Youth Development Manager, as she prepares to begin maternity leave this January. We are very excited and wish the best for you & Frank and the new addition to your family!
We’re Hiring!
We’re looking to hire a full-time Program Coordinator!
Program Coordinators are responsible for the coordination and planning of all assigned programs, including instruction and facilitation in the field. Programs can include exploring nature, hiking, camping, backpacking, stewardship projects, and urban eco-adventures with interpretive lessons.
- Full-time (32-40 hours per week)
- Pay rate: $21.60 per hour
- Start Date: February 15th, 2023
- Deadline to apply: Until the position is filled
If you or someone you know is interested, please check out our website for more details.
Program Endings & Beginnings
This past weekend, the EcoTruths for Indigenous Youth program was completed with a Winter Camp overnight at Florida Station. All participants will be able to gather for a final celebration this upcoming weekend.
The team looks forward to continuing EcoPrograms and Field Studies for Schools this Spring, as well as welcoming a new cohort in the Youth for Blue Skies internship!
Our Partners Make all the Difference
On behalf of all of us at ITE, we are so very grateful to have the generous support from the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona and The Stonewall Fund. This funding significantly lifted ITE up from the economic challenges and impacts experienced in 2022. Thank you, Rick Small, for your love of the Tucson community and support of youth outdoor experiences in nature.
We are so excited to have received a capacity grant from our dear partners at The Wilderness Society. This year, we plan to do something really exciting that will help our staff move smoothly over a great distance. Stay tuned to see how we maximize our capacity with this generous grant. Thank you to our team at The Wilderness Society.
What a beautiful, special award the ITE Team received from our partners with the US Forest Service, Coronado National Forest. Check it out in the photo above. We are all honored to have received such a prestigious partnership recognition award. We love our CNF.
Thank you, Technicians for Sustainability! With your generous, year-end contribution, all of us at ITE will surely shine brightly through the new year.
“We appreciate the work you are doing in our community and are glad to be able to support your mission.” ~TFS employee-cooperative owners