Cottonwood Institute Instructors Discuss Student Leadership and the Value of Connecting with Nature on Fox31 Denver’s Colorado Conversations
Written by CI Instructor and Communications & Administrative Coordinator Lori Powell. Sometimes the class you never planned to take ends up changing your life. That was the case for Cottonwood Institute alum Iona Kelly, who recently joined Cottonwood Institute Senior Instructor and Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator Erin Angel for an interview on Fox31 Denver’s Colorado Conversations. They talked with Genelle Padilla about student leadership, Iona’s personal experience, how connecting young people with nature can build confidence, community, and a lifelong commitment to caring for the outdoors.
Read highlights of their conversation below, and watch the full interview here.
Outdoor Learning Inspired Iona’s Journey from Reluctant Participant to Champion of Student Leadership
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Iona Kelly found herself enrolled in a Community Adventure Program (CAP) high school class after the classes she originally wanted was already full. At first, she resisted participating, but it didn’t take long for that to change. The student-led approach was intriguing and unlike anything she had experienced before.
As the class unfolded, Iona discovered something she hadn’t expected: a supportive community where students explored real-world environmental issues, collaborated on solutions, and learned through hands-on experiences outside the classroom. She loved the opportunity to think critically, work alongside peers, and spend time outdoors.
Although Iona had always loved nature, the isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic made it harder to get outside. During the interview, she shares how spending time in nature became a powerful way to quiet the noise of everyday life. As someone who experiences anxiety, reconnecting with the natural world provided a sense of calm and a feeling of being grounded.
Those experiences didn’t end when the class was over. After completing the CAP class, Iona stayed involved through Cottonwood Institute’s Changemakers program, where she and fellow students turned some of their favorite Cottonwood experiences into something the entire community could enjoy.
Together, they launched the Cottonwood Ancestral Skills Gathering in 2024 as an action project. Inspired by the skills they had learned during Cottonwood programs, they envisioned a free community event where people of all ages could reconnect with traditional skills that have been passed down through generations. What began as a student idea has grown into a beloved annual event engaging participants in learning everything from friction fire and shelter building to basket weaving and foraging.
Today, Iona continues to give back as both an active alum and a Field Instructor, helping create the same meaningful experiences that shaped her own journey.
Growing Together Through Community and Partnership
Growing Together Through Community and PartnershipDuring the interview, Erin highlights the importance of community support in making these experiences possible. Like many nonprofits, Cottonwood Institute relies on sustainable funding and strong partnerships. She shares ways community members can get involved, including participating in annual fundraising events like The Throwdown Cornhole Tournament and the Harvard Gulch Golf Invitational.
Schools and youth-serving organizations interested in partnering with Cottonwood Institute can connect Teagan Papke, Director of Strategic Partnerships, to learn about bringing our programs to their students.
We hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch the full conversation and hear directly from Erin and Iona about how unique outdoor experiences can help students grow into lifelong leaders and environmental stewards.
If you’re also passionate about helping students get outdoors to learn about the natural world and take action to make change in their communities, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor! You’ll help invest in our students, programs, and long-term sustainability and success!
