Who We Are 

Cottonwood Institute is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to awakening the changemaker in all our students through a unique blend of environmental education, outdoor adventure, leadership development, and service learning.

Our Why

In an increasingly digital and divided world, young people are facing rising levels of disconnection from nature, from one another, and from a sense of purpose. Cottonwood Institute exists to bridge those gaps. We create opportunities for students to step outside the classroom, into the outdoors, and into their own power, cultivating the confidence and connection they need to become changemakers in their communities.

Cottonwood Institute is on a mission to connect middle and high school students to nature and inspire them to protect it.

What We Do

We partner with schools and community organizations to bring transformative programs into the classroom and beyond. By blending environmental education, outdoor adventure, and leadership development, we create space for students to explore who they are, what they care about, and how they want to make a difference.

Why We’re Different

Cottonwood Institute is one of the only local non-profits along the Colorado Front Range that blends environmental education and service learning. We prioritize depth over breadth; programs are up to a year long with 75+ program contact hours per student. We aim to build longstanding partnerships within our communities, with 65% of our current program partners having worked with us for 5+ years.

We can’t expect students to care about the environment until they first have an opportunity to explore nature and develop a powerful connection to it.

Why It Matters

Cottonwood Institute programs matter because they:

• Break down barriers for equitable access to nature by providing programs that are free for students and families, including all transportation, gear, food, and professional instruction.
• Help support positive youth mental health by getting students off of their screens and in to the outdoors to connect with nature, each other, and with positive adult role models.
• Inspire students to become leaders, problem-solvers, and changemakers in their communities.

Who We Serve

During the 2024-25 programming year, we served 454 participants. 63.3% of our participants self-identified as Non-White. A majority of our students live in historically excluded communities in Aurora, Denver, and Boulder County.