Put a little wildlife in a child's life...
Put a little wildlife in a child's life... Environmental Learning for Kids or ELK does just that and lots more. From teaching kids and families about science, leadership and service ELK engages and empowers residents in far northeast Denver, Commerce City and Aurora to pursue their dreams. "I am proud of the work ELK does. It's importnat to get young people out and involved in the outdoors. There are groups in our society that are under-represented, and I'm happy to see diversity [among ELK's students and staff]."
- Ken Salazar, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Thirteen years ago, Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK), a Denver-based, 501(c)3 organization was established by a Latina female wildlife biologist, Stacie Gilmore, who worked for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and an African-American wildlife biologist, Scott Gilmore, who currently works for CDOW. Scott is a proud 1982 graduate of Montbello High School. Scott, Stacie and their three children reside in Montbello and are active in the commuity.
Stacie and Scott saw firsthand the lack of diversity within the natural resource field. They created ELK to fill the growing need of introducing and educating Colorado's urban youth about science, math, leadership and natual resource careers. Both Stacie and Scott are alumni of a minority summer employment program that Secretary ot hte Interior, and former U.S. Senator, Ken Salazar created during his tenure as Executive Director at the CO Department of Natural Resources.
ELK has seved more than 70,000 youth and families of color and a majority of youth who participate in ELK, through one to one mentoring by ELK staff, have gone on to become first-generation college students and graduates. In ELK's year-round program, 98% of the students graduate from high school. Join ELK on a field trip, from learning about science through fishing, hiking, and camping to visiting the many open spaces in Denver, put a little wildlife in your families life today! Visit www.elkkids.com for more information of call Stacie at 303-371-8658.
Stacie Gilmore, Executive Director
