ITE Forever!
From young nature explorers to environmental leaders, our alumni continue the journey—advancing science, research, and conservation while returning as stakeholders, partners, and generous supporters who help sustain ITE’s mission.
Always a part of ITE.
ITE Alumni were once youth participants in our programs but are now full fledged adults out in the world - bringing their experiences from our programs into their work and beyond. Read what some of our alumni are up to below.
Deshawn Davis
What are you doing now?
I am currently an intern with Arizona Wildlife Federation and training to provide professional rainwater basin, native plant, and garden installation services to the community. I got involved with ITE through my mother signing me up for a program when I was in middle school.
Most cherished ITE memory:
A favorite memory with ITE was the two backpacking trips I went on with ITE to Hutch’s Pool in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.
Describe the impact ITE & it’s programs had on you and your life:
Ironwood Tree Experience helped me realize my connection to my landscape and my community and helped trigger a lifelong passion and commitment to advocating for the conservation of the Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands region. I was very grateful to be introduced to nature in a very intentional way at such a young age and I believe that had lasting effects on how I continue to see and interact with this landscape.
Phoebe Meixner
What are you doing now?
Program Coordinator at the Lovejoy Center for Bridging Diversity, Conservation Science, and Policy
Most cherished ITE memory:
One of my most cherished ITE memories was when one of my peers, Tommy, suddenly had clean feet after walking around camp barefoot and getting covered in sap. We applauded his cleaning ingenuity until we became suspicious about his methods – turns out he had used one of the dishwashing bins as a foot spa! He spent the rest of the trip making it up to the rest of us.
