Bring solar to Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions (CWG) and bridge the access gap to outdoor education. Based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions is a nonprofit that promotes outdoor education, science, and touches on the history, and the society of the Southwest.
This project is fully funded and Installed! See pictures here.
$44,010 Needed/ $44,212 Pledged
Help support one of our other projects here.
Treks and expeditions take place throughout the year. The home base is Cottonwood Gulch Base Camp, located near Thoreau, in western New Mexico. Activities take youth as far away as the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Bryce Canyon in Utah, and many more sites. Of the multitude of adventures youth (ages 10-18) partake in experiential introduction to wilderness travel, native arts, local archaeology, earth sciences, and adventure. As stated by a 9th grade student, “I’ve discovered that I am capable of taking care of myself… I’m more willing to take chances now.” Cottonwood Gulch even offers activities for families.
Bringing solar to CWG falls right in line with the values of their programming. Having solar will allow them to use it as a teaching tool and exemplify their “Leave No Trace” principles. In addition, the cost savings will make is to help provide more scholarships to disadvantaged youth, helping to bridge the access gap to outdoor education. Annually, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions provides over $130,000 in school and summer scholarships to primarily NM students. Having the extra funding will allow more kids getting outdoors and connecting with wilderness, science, ecology and cultural arts while growing their land awareness and relationship.
When we talk in classes about overcoming challenges… our students who went to Cottonwood Gulch readily site their experiences being self-reliant, being truly happy without technology or daily conveniences, and recognizing a more important bond between their peers.”– Head of Middle and Upper School
THANK YOU to individuals and organizations who made contributions to help bring solar to the Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions!
Special Thanks to...
. Ellen & Neil MacNeale . Kate MacNeale . Youness Scally . Catherine Nadeau . Carolyn and Suej McInnes-McCall .
. Madeleine Seneor . Brigid Warmerdam . Tom and Ellie Elkinton . David Ellis . Michael Kraft . Adam Hudson . Kevin Malek .
and...
. The Gumerlock Family Foundation . PopSockets . Makers4Good .
*Data calculated from EPA carbon emissions calculator