An Outside Magazine Best Place to Work in 2011

Dear Friends,

IslandWood is proud to begin our tenth year of serving kids with some exciting news: we have been named an Outside Magazine Best Place to Work for 2011! On a nationwide list of 50 companies and nonprofits, IslandWood was ranked 18th overall and the top nonprofit.

IslandWood achieved this honor by creating a work environment that values its team and their lifestyles – from offering creative work settings like spending a lot of time in the outdoors and opportunities to engage with the community, to non-traditional perks like discounts on outdoor gear and programs.  IslandWood tops the list of non-profit organizations this year (joining three others), and is one of six Puget Sound area organizations to be named on the list.

Although the honor was based on staff surveys, we are thrilled to share this distinction with every student, parent, teacher, grad, volunteer, donor, and guest who has helped make IslandWood such a special place to come to work every day.

With gratitude,

The IslandWood Staff

What our staff say about working at IslandWood:

“It’s rare to find an Environmental Learning Center that places serious emphasis on learning through the arts. This combination of my interests (arts education and environmental education) drew me in at the beginning… what has kept me drawn in are the incredible people. I’ve come to feel as though this is my extended family”
Hillary Moore, Graduate Program Coordinator

“IslandWood is a special place to me because everyday we are all working as a team towards the same goal; to ensure that every student that comes through our door leaves with a sense of connection and responsibility for themselves, their community, and their environment.  I believe that every child deserves to feel as though their potential is limitless no matter where they come from or what resources are available to them, and I sincerely believe that IslandWood’s programs make that possible.”
Cristina Butler, Executive Assistant

“As a nonprofit entering its tenth year of operations on a growth spurt, being recognized alongside so many of the national leaders in outdoor recreation like Patagonia, Eddie Bauer, and NOLS is affirmation not just for IslandWood, but for the entire field of environmental education. We look forward to sharing this honor with everyone who has helped us connect more than 30,000 kids with nature since 2002.”
Ben Klasky, Executive Director