2025 Fall Newsletter
Executive Director Letter:
Dear Friends of Nature Niños,
As we close out another incredible year, I'm filled with gratitude for how our Nature Niños community continues to grow—both in reach and in impact. This year, we expanded our programs into the East Mountains, welcoming new families, schools, and outdoor spaces into our circle. With the addition of a dedicated East Mountain Coordinator, we're deepening our commitment to ensure every region we serve has consistent, place-based opportunities for children and families to explore, learn, and thrive outdoors.
Across New Mexico, our partnerships are broadening as well. We're proud to continue securing Outdoor Equity Fund support for our own programs while helping ensure that other nonprofits across the state can access these critical funds. Together, we're building a stronger statewide network where youth have equitable access to outdoor experiences and career pathways that reflect the diversity and culture of our communities.
In the South Valley, our greening work—supported by GreenLatinos, the U.S. Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program, and many local partners—has brought tree distribution clinics, student-led planting days, and community stewardship projects to life all year long. These efforts not only cool our neighborhoods and beautify shared spaces but also empower young people to be the caretakers of their environment.
None of this would be possible without the incredible collaboration of our municipal leaders, city and county partners, schools, nonprofits, and families who have joined hands with us in this movement. Thank you for believing in this work and for helping us build a future where every child in New Mexico feels a sense of belonging in the outdoors.
With deep gratitude,
Sarah Candelaria
Executive Director, Nature Niños New Mexico
Team Updates:
School Programming:
Pedaling through the Bosque with our incredible partner, Story Riders, our School Programming Lead Educator, Atieno, was reminded of a powerful moment a student once shared.
"She felt free — like she could finally breathe again — while biking. That moment really stood out to me. For many, biking was something they loved as kids but hadn't done in a long time due to various barriers. Together, we made a promise to ride more often. There's something so special about feeling like a kid again.
It was everyone's first time there [biking through the Bosque], and it was gorgeous! We found a shaded spot under the cottonwoods and shared stories about our favorite "struggle meals" growing up. We all agreed that bologna will forever have a spot in our hearts (and stomachs).
Next, we reflected on our ride with a rose, thorn, and sprout.
We ended the day by riding back to the Story Riders office, thanking our fearless bike mechanic, Hector, and saying our goodbyes.
Today was truly special. I'm so grateful the students got to share in my joy and passion for biking. Riding is liberating."
Tiny Trees & Investigating the Outdoors
Miss Linda, our Lead Community Educator, along with Miss Madison, our Assistant Educator, reflects back on an exciting day at the Alameda/Rio Grande Open Space!
Together, educators and children explored the area's restoration efforts and learned how wetlands protect native wildlife and help keep our water clean.
Along the trail, the group met scientists testing the Rio Grande for microplastics, which led to thoughtful discussions about what microplastics are, how they affect our environment, and how we can all help reduce pollution. One student summed it up perfectly: "It's invisible to see, but we all know plastic is there, hiding in the dirt and watching." – Owen...
Miss Linda guided students in finding natural materials to decorate their own hiking sticks while practicing the Leave No Trace philosophy—learning what's okay to take from nature and what should stay to help it thrive. Children collected feathers, leaves, wildflowers, and even beetle exoskeletons, later using yarn, beads, and string to turn their sticks into works of art.
As they created, students developed fine motor skills, teamwork, and social-emotional growth—helping one another with knots, sharing materials, and celebrating each other's creativity. The day wrapped up with outdoor games and a visit to the wetlands, where the group spotted frogs, tadpoles, roadrunners, and bunnies in their natural habitat.
It was a day full of learning, discovery, and connection—with each child walking away with a unique reminder of the nature they helped explore and protect!