Nature Nurtures
The Conservation Society of El Paso is pleased to offer Nature Nurtures as part of our Conservation Community Initiative. An educational animal encounter experience designed to foster curiosity, empathy, and conservation action among participants.
Our Mission: Inspire Conservation Through Connection
Through live animal interactions, story-based learning, and hands-on workshops, participants engage directly with nature and wildlife in a fun, meaningful, and impactful age-appropriate setting.
Program Tiers
Nature Nurtures brings environmental stewardship education directly to your classroom, library, or community space — fostering empathy, environmental awareness, and conservation action through unforgettable up-close animal encounters. With the help of our friendly Animal Ambassadors — including bunnies, ferrets, snakes, and bearded dragon — people of all ages will experience conservation in action. Through hands-on opportunities, participants will cultivate a deep appreciation for nature, inspiring them to become passionate environmental advocates. We inspire, we engage, we connect!
Tier 1: Eco Explorers
1 Hour
1 Animal Ambassador
Storytime + Animal Encounter
+ Conservation Discussion
Tier 1: Eco Explorers
Ideal for group sizes of 15-20 individuals
2 Hours
2 Animal Ambassadors
Storytime + Animal Encounters + Hands-On Workshop (Sustainability Craft or Conservation Activity)
Ideal for group sizes of 20-25 individuals
2 Hours
3 Animal Ambassadors
Storytime + Multiple Animal Encounters + Hands-On Workshop + Take-Home Conservation Craft
Ideal for group sizes of 25 individuals or more
Every species — from the tiniest pollinator to the most curious rabbit — plays a role in keeping ecosystems balanced and thriving!
Program Objectives:
Learn about local and global conservation efforts * Develop respect for wildlife and the natural world * Experience direct interaction with animal ambassadors * Participate in activities promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship
Our Animal Ambassadors
Rabbits: Nature’s Little Gardeners
Rabbits may be small, but their role in the environment is powerful. As grazers, they help control vegetation growth, which prevents overgrowth and supports diverse plant life. Their droppings act as natural fertilizers, spreading seeds and enriching soil with nutrients. And when they dig, they aerate the ground — improving soil structure and water absorption. Rabbits are also an essential link in the food chain, helping to sustain natural predator species. When students meet our rabbit ambassadors, they ’ re discovering the quiet impact of one of nature ’ s most important gardeners.
Ferrets: Mischievous Tunnelers that Teach Us About Balance
While domestic ferrets are ambassadors for their wild cousins, like the black-footed ferret, they help us understand the role of small carnivores in ecosystems. Wild ferrets control populations of smaller animals, supporting the natural balance of predator and prey. Their burrows also provide shelter for other animals and help aerate the soil. When students interact with our ferret ambassador, they learn how small mammals play big roles in maintaining a thriving ecosystem — and why protecting them matters.
Snakes: Silent Protectors of Balance
Often misunderstood, snakes are vital to ecosystem health. They keep rodent populations in check, which helps protect crops and control the spread of disease. As both predator and prey, snakes are key to maintaining balance in food webs. Some species even assist in seed dispersal by consuming fruit-loving rodents. When students meet a snake up close, they ’ re not just encountering a cool reptile — they ’ re learning to respect the role of even the most unlikely heroes in our environment.
Bearded Dragons: Reptile Role Models from the Desert
Bearded dragons, like many reptiles, are important insect regulators in their native ecosystems. They feed on pest species, helping to protect plants and reduce the spread of disease. As cold-blooded creatures, they ’ re also excellent teaching tools for understanding thermoregulation, desert adaptation, and biodiversity. When students meet a bearded dragon, they ’ re getting hands-on insight into the resilience and importance of reptiles in nature — and learning how even the driest landscapes teem with life worth protecting.
Experience Packages
Eco-Explorer
Conservation Creators
Wild Connections
By combining science, empathy, and interaction, we create unforgettable educational opportunities that inspire participants to become responsible stewards of their environment. Each session is meticulously designed to nurture curiosity, cultivate respect for wildlife, and ignite a lifelong commitment to preserving the natural world.
Hands-On Workshop Themes (Tier 2 &3 Only)
Available options:
- Wildlife Habitat Builders — DIY bird feeders or bee hotels.
- Plant a Pollinator — Students plant a native wildflower to take home.
- Reduce, Reuse, Create! — Upcycled craft with conservation messaging.
Booking and Contact Information
To schedule your Nature Nurtures experience or to request additional information, please contact:
Olivia C. Siqueiros Communications Manager
Conservation Society of El Paso
osiqueiros@conservationep.org
(915) 353-9820
The Conservation Society of El Paso is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental education and community engagement. Our mission — Conservation through Connection — drives us to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards through hands-on, nature-based programming.
