Hidden Gems: Meet Kristen Jespersen of Yampatika

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Jespersen.

Hi Kristen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.

In her role as Executive Director of Yampatika, Kristen is dedicated to offering engaging and thoughtful environmental education to the region. Originally part of the U.S. Forest Service, Yampatika, became its own 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1992 and is the only organization offering environmental education in Northwest Colorado.

Yampatika believes that stewardship is cultivated through outdoor experiences and an increased understanding of natural systems. We are the only organization in the Yampa Valley focused on environmental education for individuals of all ages.

Over the past three decades Yampatika has grown significantly and offers a wide array of programs, works with hundreds of local partners, and impacts over 20,000 people every year.

Our vision for the future is that Yampatika will be the environmental education organization in Northwest Colorado and have an established, informed, and active community of environmental stewards of all ages, an internal capacity to allow for growth, and a home where it can deliver high-quality programming.

Below is an overview of Yampatika’s key programs:

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Over the 30 years that Yampatika has been delivering programming there have, inevitably, been various obstacles and challenges along the way with changes in leadership, financial challenges, and the pandemic. However, in this time the mission of Yampatika has remained the focus and the quality of programming that Yampatika has and continues to deliver has been high and impactful. We have always been good at connecting people of all ages to nature. 

As we grow and continue to hone evolving community needs, our key challenges are securing enough funding to build our team so we can reach more youth and adults in the region, and finding a permanent home for our organization where we can grow our Youth Camps to serve more families and have a functional Environmental Learning Center. 

We’ve been impressed with Yampatika, but for folks who might not be as familiar with it, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The population of and visitation to Northwest Colorado is growing and environmental conditions are changing, which increases the use of and stress on our natural resources and ecosystems. Yampatika works to increase knowledge and awareness about how these natural systems work and how to protect them. 

Additionally, our country is experiencing an epidemic of loneliness and disconnection, and an increased dependence on digital and social media. Yampatika aims to offset these social stressors by providing a sense of connection to place, community, nature, and self through environmental education. The proven benefits of environmental education are: 

• Improved academic interest and performance among students.
• Cultivation of a culture of learning that goes beyond the classroom.
• Development of critical and creative thinking skills across the community.
• Increased tolerance and understanding of different perspectives and ideas.
• Inter-disciplinary learning.
• Getting people outside and helping them build deep connections to the natural world and their communities.
• Encouraging healthy lifestyles.
• Inspiring career development in the field of natural resources.
• Increased stewardship of the environment and improved management of natural resources.

In 2023, the Yampatika Board and staff came together to draft a 5-year Strategic Plan, which sets out a vision for thoughtfully expanding each of the program areas to ensure increased impact and paced growth, including exploring opportunities for acquiring a facility of our own. Our new Goals are: 

• Goal 1: Grow In-School Programs – Provide exemplary school-based programming for 65% of students, in every grade, in every Northwest Colorado school district (4 counties, 7 districts) every year.
• Goal 2: Grow Out-of-School Programs – Grow and develop enhanced, applied-learning, out-of-school environmental educational offerings to 650 or more students each year.
• Goal 3: Host High-Quality Camps – Serve as the premier environmental education youth camp in Northwest Colorado.
• Goal 4: Grow Adult and Community Programs – Deliver accurate and timely environmental education to an increased number of local and visiting adults and families (5% annually) to catalyze environmental stewardship.
• Goal 5: Increase Financial Stability and Brand Awareness – Build a positive, inclusive, and productive workplace and organizational culture, and retain employees for at least 3 years.
• Goal 6: Build Capacity and Invest in Staff – Build a positive, inclusive, and productive workplace and organizational culture and retain employees for at least 3 years.
• Goal 7: Plan to Acquire a Facility – Improve the overall effectiveness and growth potential of Yampatika by developing a plan for acquiring a facility that meets multiple programs’ needs and serves as a home for the organization.

This plan will serve as the roadmap for our work for the next five years and will allow us to invest in realizing our vision. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I have been with the organization in the role of Executive Director for 18 months now. This experience has been one of the most rewarding and challenging of my professional career. Running a small nonprofit with a longstanding legacy is a big responsibility and presents many exciting opportunities to have a true and lasting impact on our community. 

In my time in this role, the key lessons learned that I have gleaned are: 

The importance of harnessing and embracing the diverse talents and contributions of staff, Board, and volunteers. The importance of taking the time to listen to and understand the needs of the community you serve as they relate to your mission and managing the need to stay true to your mission. 

The importance of having a firm set of goals and setting boundaries to be able to be more effective and intentional in the role that your organization is playing in the community. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yampatika.org
• Instagram: @yampatika
• Facebook: @yampatika

Image Credits
Yampatika