As part of our Million Reasons Campaign, we’re excited to invite your family to join the EcoCenter Ambassador Challenge, an easy, joyful way for kids to build confidence, practice community leadership, and help make environmental education accessible for all!
Environmental Volunteers (EV) is in the midst of the biggest opportunity in our 53-year history: An anonymous donor has offered to match every gift dollar-for-dollar until April 30, 2026 up to $1 million, unlocking a $2 million investment in nature and science education for kids.
The EcoCenter Ambassador Challenge is one of the many “Million Reasons” we believe in the power of young people. Through this challenge, kids complete simple, meaningful missions, such as sharing a favorite nature memory, talking with neighbors, fundraising with seed packets, and joining our Earth Month celebration. Along the way, they build confidence, practice leadership, and strengthen community.
By participating, your family helps raise awareness for EV’s work and supports the revitalization of the EcoCenter — our home in the Palo Alto Baylands — transforming it into a vibrant, year-round hub where students and families can explore nature and science together.
In a time of climate anxiety, screen overload, and growing disconnection from the outdoors, nature-based learning offers something essential: curiosity instead of fear, connection instead of detachment, and hope and agency instead of helplessness.
Thank you for helping kids lead the way. We’d love for your family to join the EcoCenter Ambassador Challenge and be part of the Million Reasons community, learning, sharing, and growing together this spring.
With gratitude,
Team EV
EcoCenter Ambassador Challenge
If you love playing outside, getting your hands dirty, or simply noticing the tiny miracles of nature, you’re ready to be an EcoCenter Ambassador!
With parent/guardian support, you’ll complete a few fun missions and help kids and families discover science in the wild at the EcoCenter in the Baylands.
Challenge Window: March 1 – April 30, 2026
Your Goal: Be brave, be kind, be curious… and do all 4 missions!
Mission 1: FRIEND-RAISE: Talk to 5 People 🌍
Find 5 neighbors / uncles and aunts / parents of your friends and tell them about Environmental Volunteers (EV) and the EcoCenter.
Your mission:
- Share what EV does (helps kids fall in love with nature through fun science!)
- Ask if they want to support nature learning
- Collect: name, address, email
- Write down any funny/sweet reactions you get
Here’s a kid-friendly script (you can read it!):
“Hi! I’m doing the EcoCenter Ambassador Challenge with Environmental Volunteers (EV)! EV helps thousands of elementary school kids learn about nature and science.
EV’s home is the EcoCenter at the Palo Alto Baylands, right across from the duck pond. At the EcoCenter you can do things like nature walks, messy science, and other super fun events for kids, teens, and families.
Do you think it’s important for kids and families to play outside and connect with nature? If yes, can I write down your name, address, and email so EV can tell you about upcoming EcoCenter events?”
⭐ Bonus Points: Ask them, “What’s your favorite nature memory?”
Mission 2: FUND-RAISE with Native Seed Packets! 🌱
Help EV reach our $1,000,000 (that $1 Million!) goal by offering EV native seed packets. Every penny counts!
Suggested donation: $5
Your target: $50 (that’s 10 seed packets!)
Extra points: for the person who raises the most!
Here’s a kid-friendly seed packet script:
“Would you like to donate $5 or more to EV and get a native seed packet? Thanks to a generous donor, your donation will be matched and become two times as big. Your gift will help kids learn about nature and science and help to keep the EcoCenter open for more families.”
Bonus Points: Practice your “thank you” smile and say, “You just helped a kid get out and enjoy nature!”
Mission 3: SHARE a Favorite Nature Memory 🌈
Create a short nature story in any style you want!
Choose one: write / speak / sing / act your favorite nature memory. Was it kissing a banana slug? Finding a feather? Watching hummingbirds? Splashing in rain puddles? That counts!
Extra points if you share your nature memory online with a parent/guardian’s help and tag @EnvironmentalVolunteers! Use hashtags #EcoCenterAmbassador and #MillionReasons
Mission 4: SHOW UP to the EcoCenter Earth Month Celebration! 🌍
Come celebrate Earth Month at the EcoCenter on Saturday, April 18, 2026, 10am– 1pm. Bring a friend… or 5!
When you finish all 4 missions, you’ll receive…
🌟 An official EcoCenter Ambassador badge
🌟Recognition at the EcoCenter and on EV socials + website (with parent/guardian consent)
🌟Bragging rights for being a thoughtful environmental volunteer!
🌟An invitation to an exclusive, plastic-free nature party at the Baylands
🌟Service hours
