2026 Youth Programs Fundraiser

The next generation of environmental stewards needs your support! Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter needs your help to unlock a $10,000 challenge match donation. For the month of August, we are asking you to invest in our Youth Programs. Your donation will not only foster young people's connection and awareness to nature, but it will also nurture a legacy of community and protecting our shared natural resources.

“I’ve been a teacher for 30 years, and your youth education programs are the best in the County, hands-down. Your team is so intentional and professional… and fun!” -Swaner supporter

This is the time to invest in environmental education for kids and teens. We’ve never needed the next generation to be so aware of ecological threats and prepared with innovative solutions than right now. At Swaner, our Youth Programs are uplifting the next generation to be thoughtful advocates, scientists, and community members. We design experiential learning opportunities for K-12 students, from summer camps and field trips to the Swaner EcoClub for middle-schoolers. Please consider donating to support our mission to educate the local and broader communities about the value of nature.

More Than an Afterschool Program

For many middle school students, Swaner's EcoClub is where curiosity becomes confidence.

Designed for youth in 6th-8th grade, EcoClub brings teens together twice each month throughout the school year to explore the natural world through hands-on learning, conservation projects, field experiences, and conversations with scientists and environmental professionals. Whether they're monitoring wildlife with camera traps, restoring habitat on the Preserve, or learning about wildfire ecology, club members are building the knowledge and skills to become thoughtful environmental stewards.

Just as importantly, EcoClub gives teens a place to belong—a community where their curiosity is celebrated, their ideas are valued, and their passion for protecting nature can grow.

"Being a part of EcoClub meant a lot to me. I really enjoyed being part of a nature club that did a lot of community projects and just helped the environment."
-EcoClub participant

Your support makes opportunities like EcoClub possible, ensuring that more young people can discover their connection to nature and develop the confidence to make a difference in their communities.

Learn more about all of our Youth Education Programs.

A very special thank you to Larry and Judy Brownstein for their generous support and continued commitment to Swaner’s mission!

Donate This August!