A New Logic Model

By Lily Gordon, Program Coordinator

Since this spring, Brandon Tolentino-Serrano and Avery Adam have been hard at work collaborating on a new Logic Model, and it’s nearly complete. This new model will accurately reflect the “why” behind our current programs and help us “grow in a thoughtful, aligned way,” as Avery put it. She added, “it helps everyone stay on the same page, make clearer decisions, and explain our work easily to others.” 

The Logic Model identifies three key pathways for Nature Linc’s work: providing access to nature, deepening connection to nature, and building a community of educators who actively connect their own programs with nature. Our youth programs serving elementary, middle, and high schoolers hit on the first two pieces of access and connection, while the new trainings and workshops that Nature Linc is developing will work towards our third goal of building community. A key piece of the Logic Model is determining the “Outcomes” of our programs; for instance, one outcome is that “youth have a deep sense of belonging in the outdoors” after participating in our program.  These outcomes will help us better clarify how we collect data to make sure that our programs are having the desired impact, and to be able to showcase this in a quantifiable way.

Avery and Brandon have both found this project to be a rewarding experience. Brandon has enjoyed the chance to become more connected to the inner workings of the organization, and he loves how collaborative the process has been: receiving and incorporating feedback from Board members, committee members, and the whole staff team. As Operations Director, Avery doesn’t always get a chance to put her previous program experience to use, so she found it “meaningful to draw on that background.” She also said working closely with Brandon was “a true pleasure” and feels excited about how the Logic Model will more fully demonstrate the deeply positive impact we are having on youth’s lives.