2026 Annual Impact Report

Local Ripples,
Lasting Change

Together, we are carving paths for students, educators, and administrators to rise as environmental leaders — shaping a sustainable future for the people and places we love.

See the Change You’ve Set in Motion

Education as a force for environmental protection

Environmental degradation and climate change are shaping the world our children are inheriting. While California champions bold environmental solutions, our education system's potential is largely overlooked.

Ten Strands equips students, educators, and administrators with the knowledge and confidence to lead, as well as turn campuses into models of sustainability and resilience. Because of the dedication of supporters like you, we’re transforming education from a quiet stream into a powerful force for environmental protection and climate action.

Ella stands beside her research poster about mapping equity in California K–12 school solar adoption. — California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program participant Ella Min took first place in the IEEE Power and Energy general meeting student poster contest as the only high schooler competing alongside college students (Photo credit: Ella Min).

Leadership messages

A current carried by many hands

From our founder

Reflecting on Our Journey

“Perhaps most exciting to me, I see the growth in young people finding their voices and realizing they have agency to create the future they want.”

Will ParishFounder & Board Chair

Andra Yeghoian, Chief Innovation Officer

From our executive team

When Small Things Add Up

“Change across a system as large and diverse as TK–12 education in California rarely arrives in a single wave. Rather, a movement grows through hundreds of actions: a teacher bringing environmental learning into their classroom, a district investing in sustainability staff, a student advocating for change, or partners coming together to influence statewide policy.”

Karen CoweChief Executive Officer

Andra YeghoianChief Innovation Officer

Impact you made possible

Central ValleyPower of Environmental Curriculum

Roxana Flores, an eighth grade teacher in Tulare County, leads environmental learning with her students.

Roxana Flores 8th Grade Teacher · Tulare County

Your support inspired Roxana’s students to turn their Seeds to Solutions groundwater lessons into an award-winning documentary — and discover the power of their voices.

Los AngelesYoung Leaders for Climate Resilience

Viktoria Amarillas-Dmitrienko, one of the student leaders advocating for a sustainable school rebuild.

Ayn Jain, one of the student leaders advocating for a sustainable school rebuild.

Viktoria Amarillas-Dmitrienko & Ayn Jain 11th Grade Students · Los Angeles County

Your support gave Viktoria and Ayn the skills to advocate for a sustainable rebuild of their wildfire-damaged school through the California Youth Environmental Data Leadership Program — building their confidence to move from bystanders to leaders.

San DiegoClimate Justice and Community Resilience

Anne Armstrong and students with their aquaponics system at ALBA Community Day School.

Anne Armstrong Secondary Educator · San Diego County

Your support helped Anne and her students build an aquaponics system to grow food sustainably through the Climate Justice Teacher Grant and Community of Practice — a powerful example of youth-powered solutions to food insecurity and hands-on healing.

Bay AreaYouth-Led Climate Policy

Chloe and Suhani proposing board policy at a Fremont Union High School District board meeting.

Chloe Dahl, Suhani Nirwal, Aahaan Jain High School Students · Santa Clara County

Your support empowered Chloe, Suhani, and Aahaan to secure passage of landmark district climate policies as part of the California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program — institutional change that turns the tide for their peers and future generations.

StatewideExpanding Outdoor Learning

Dr. Troy Brown, San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools, advocates for outdoor learning.

Dr. Troy Brown Superintendent of Schools · San Joaquin County

Your support brought influential leaders, including Dr. Brown, to the Campaign for Outdoor Learning — advocating for more outdoor learning in their own backyards and at the Capitol.

Bay AreaLasting Leadership Pipelines

Christine Zack with a falcon during an outdoor learning visit.

Christine Zack Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action · Santa Clara County

Your support turned one-time funding into a lasting, regionwide pipeline for youth climate leadership — enabling Christine and her partners, who worked with the Ten Strands technical assistance team, to reach youth for generations to come.

Northern CaliforniaGreen Careers and Combating Eco-Despair

Lisa Gottfried and Gin Betourne, high school teachers in Napa County, lead a green careers class.

Lisa Gottfried & Gin Betourne High School Teachers · Napa County

Your support spreads transformative ideas like Lisa and Gin’s science communication class, helping students overcome eco-despair and explore in-demand green career paths in partnership with Ten Strands’ technical assistance team.

StatewideWhole-System School Sustainability

George Garcia, California Department of Education leader for the Green Ribbon Schools Award program.

George Garcia Leader · California Department of Education

Your support provides critical networks for leaders like George, whose California Green Ribbon Schools Award expansion is building a swift current of environmental action in schools by partnering with the California Environmental Literacy Initiative.

2026 Legislative Victory

Seal of Climate Literacy Passes

We’re thrilled to share that high school students will be able to earn a California State Seal of Climate Literacy: a distinction on their diplomas after completing environmental coursework and a hands-on project that applies their learning to real-world challenges in their communities.

Your support made it possible for Ten Strands to co-sponsor the bill that led to this tidal wave of change: formal, statewide integration of climate and environmental literacy and strengthened pathways into green careers. Thank you to Sen. Josh Becker for his leadership in authoring the bill; to UndauntedK12, the California State PTA, and Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action for their partnership as co-sponsors; and to Gov. Newsom for signing the bill.

By the Numbers

Waves of progress

Your support expands our reach, holds the education system accountable, and grows the movement — creating even more ripples of change.

700+

Organizations endorsed the bills we sponsored

Your support helps us build broad coalitions to speak up for outdoor learning, environmental literacy, and climate readiness in Sacramento.

Thought leadership presentations this year, averaging three per month

Your support influences the field statewide and internationally, sending Ten Strands to speak with climate leaders, teachers, and education decisionmakers.

6,700+

Teachers reached with our Seeds to Solutions curriculum

Your support drives teacher adoption of this high-quality resource, which empowers students to explore solutions to their local environmental challenges.

158

Youth program alumni to date

Your support empowers youth to turn their environmental caring into climate action on their campuses, influencing school board policies, and career preparation.

~1,600

High school websites combed for evidence of green career and technical education pathways

Your support introduces students to green careers and infuses environmental sustainability into statewide career and technical education standards, helping meet green workforce development goals.

~355 hrs

Staff and intern time analyzing district Facilities Master Plans and Local Control Accountability Plans statewide

Your support enables us to monitor school districts so we can influence state and local decisionmaking on campus climate readiness, funding for environmental goals, and more.

Supporter voices

Why this work matters

Jim Harleen and Stephanie DiMarcoIndividual SupportersWe support Ten Strands because we believe the fight for a livable planet starts in the classroom.

Senator Ben AllenCalifornia State SenatorI’ve been proud to partner with Ten Strands to make that opportunity available to students across California—not through one-time programs, but by embedding environmental literacy into our state’s academic standards and classrooms.

Jim RiddellDonor Advisor for the Riddell Fund at East Bay Community FoundationOur family came to recognize that the availability of nature, parks, environmental programs, and outdoor learning is not even close to equitably distributed in our society. Ten Strands is doing amazing work to change that, so all children can grow, learn, and play in safe, nearby outdoor nature spaces.

Katrina Leni-KonigDeputy Director, Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Relations, CalRecycleAfter fourteen years together, Ten Strands remains a partner we trust to help us in preparing the next generation to lead California's transition to a fully circular economy.

Susan and David TunnellIndividual SupportersWe value how Ten Strands has taken climate change education way beyond one exceptional teacher or one lucky school, and is making steady progress toward including students all across California's 10,000 campuses.

Anu CairoS.H. Cowell FoundationSeeds to Solutions is exactly the kind of high-quality, community-centered resource California needs; we're proud to help Ten Strands bring it to the teachers and students who need it most.

Marco A. ChávezSan Mateo County Superintendent of SchoolsTen Strands has been a vital partner in environmental literacy for more than a decade. During this time when California faces tremendous environmental challenges such as wildfires and flooding, it’s essential to educate our students on environmental literacy.

Give today

Keep the current moving

Two students collecting pond water samples during an outdoor learning activity. — (Photo credit: David Rosen/Sacramento Splash)

Every act of generosity strengthens the current — and the water’s force permanently changes the landscape. A lesson outdoors, a teacher's new confidence, or a student becoming empowered to shape their future can create ripples throughout a classroom, then a school, then a whole community.

Your gift today funds more than a moment in time: It creates lasting change for years to come.

Give Today

“Students told me they felt helpless thinking about the environment and our future, but now they see what part they can play. It honestly made me cry hearing that.”
High school teacher Lisa Gottfried, after a Ten Strands green careers classroom presentation

Transparent stewardship

Financials

For the 12 months ending June 30, 2026

$2,534,912

2025–26

Revenue & support

Generous support from institutions and individuals

Individuals $1,022,286
Foundations $686,500
Government Agencies $349,285
Project Consulting $275,522
Other Income $119,377
Corporations $69,000
In-kind $12,942

$2,125,773

2025–26

Program expenses

Investments in environmental literacy, climate justice, outdoor learning, and outreach.

California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) $229,122
Outdoor Learning Initiatives $256,810
Seeds to Solutions $666,967
Sustainable and Climate Ready Schools $19,728
Data Initiative $300,968
Youth Engagement $104,235
Technical Assistance $128,041
Community Engagement $419,902

$607,335

2025–26

Support expenses

People and operations that help the work reach statewide scale

Total Support Expenses $607,335

In previous annual reports, financials were presented on a cash basis. Beginning with this annual report, financials are presented on an accrual basis.

Gratitude at every level

Thank you to our generous donors

5+ Years of Support
3 Years Consecutive Giving
New Supporter

$100,000+

Anonymous
Bronfman Hauptman Foundation
Cisco Foundation
Kathryn & Robert Riddell Fund
S.H. Cowell Foundation
Suzanne U.D. Parish Foundation

$50,000–$99,999

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
BelleJAR Foundation
Caldwell Fisher Family Foundation
Julie and Will Parish
Robert and Dana Emery Family Foundation
Stuart Foundation
Susan Byrd Fund
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation

$25,000–$49,999

David and Susan Tunnell
Eliza Brown and Hal Candee
Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation
HRH Foundation
Hunter Family Foundation
John Atwater and Diana Nelson
Silver Giving Foundation
Stockel Family Foundation
The William K. Bowes, Jr. Foundation

$10,000–$24,999

Anonymous
Betsy and Ed McDermott
Crankstart Giving Fund
Fox Family KALB Foundation
Jimmy Hormel Family Fund
Laura and Greg Spivy
Louise and Arthur Patterson
Matthew and Janice Barger
Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation
Nina Brown de Clercq
NOAA
Sam and Kelly Bronfman
San Joaquin County Office of Education
Sheila and Paul Nahi
Stephanie DiMarco and Jim Harleen
Summer Tompkins Walker Family Conservation Fund
UndauntedK12

$5,000–$9,999

Anonymous
Bill and Stephanie Mellin
Bill and Susan Oberndorf Foundation
California Outdoor School Association
Christine Gardner
Escondido Creek Conservancy
Glen Price and Rita Huybrechts
JaMel and Tom Perkins
The James B. McClatchy Foundation
John Keker
John Lamm
Jon and Pam Shields
Katie Hall and Tom Knutsen
Nia Community Foundation
Owsley Brown III Philanthropic Foundation
Paul Danielsen

$1,000–$4,999

Adams Legacy Foundation
Adrian Hightower
Alison Carlson
Anne and Michael Parish
Brock Adler
Carl Vogt
Carla and David Crane
Cathy and Sandy Dean
Celeste and Jim Royer
Charlotte and David Winton
Christopher Chase
Dagny Maidman and Molly Wood
Daniel Chandler
Deirdre and Christopher Hockett
Eileen and Paul Growald
Embolden Environmental Foundation
Emilie and Doug Ogden
Gail and Hardin Coleman
Glen Price Group
Hannah B. Quimby
Hathaway Barry
James and Diane Mousalimas
Jamie and Philip Bowles
Jerome and Mary Vascellaro
JoAnn and Jack Bertges
Karen Cowe
Kate Ditzler
Lisa and Douglas Goldman Fund
Lynn and Peter Wendell
Mauree Jane and Mark W. Perry
Melinda and Will Evers
Melissa and Shepard Harris
Meridee Moore
Milton Chen
Nion McEvoy and Leslie Berriman
The Ouimet Family
Putnam Foundation
Rebecca Draper
Sabrina and Mick Hellman
Shelly Guyer and Thomas Huntington
Stuart Gasner
Su-Moon Paik
Suds and Lori Jain
Suzanne and Will Schutte
Swantz Family Foundation

$1–$999

Anonymous
Alexis Davis Millar
Amy Omand
Andra Yeghoian
Andrea Lewis
Angel Pinedo
Angela Howe in Honor of Leslie Tamminen
Bella Santos
Bill Andrews
Billy and Kathleen Volkmann
Carol Inkellis and Joel Gingold
Chris Tellis and Isabella Kirkland
Craig Strang
Dan Gregory
Deborah Cogan
Della Robertson
Devin Ngo
Diran Yanikian
Donald R. Share
Emalyn Leppard
Eric Blasen
Fenna Gatty
Gordon Rubenstein
Holly Steele
J. Whiting
Jack Chin
Jack Holzman
Janet Wortman
Joe Boyd
Kate Miller
Kirk Anne Taylor
Linda Livers
Lisa C. Van Dusen
Maryanne Wolf
Milton Reynolds
Natasha Bergson-Michelson
Nate Ivy
Navreet Dhaliwal
Pam Polite and Dennis Fisco
Pam and Nelson Heller
Patti and Richard Shavelson
Paul Chapman
Rachel Weisbrot
Rishi Gurjar
Samuel Lawrence Foundation
Sarah Whiting
Stephanie Seidmon
Tamara Murray
Thomas Adams
Tom Van Dyck
Xiping Yang
Yalda Modabber
Yanek Chiu

In memoriam

Nancy Magee

This year, Ten Strands lost one of our most trusted partners when Nancy Magee, San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools, passed away. She was widely respected for her compassionate leadership and integrity.

Nancy was a driving partner behind Seeds to Solutions®, California's first K–12 climate and environmental justice curriculum, co-developed by the San Mateo County Office of Education and Ten Strands. She believed in moving climate education "away from doom and gloom and toward solutions and hope." That spirit defined her leadership and still guides our work.

Nancy was the first county office of education leader in California to support a Director of Sustainable Construction and Facilities position, helping districts across San Mateo County bring sustainability and climate resilience into their buildings and grounds. She will be deeply missed and long remembered.

A Broad Movement