The SummerTree Institute

The mission of The SummerTree Institute is to provide both environmental education experiences and knowledge-based products to the public. One of our main goals is bringing the outdoors to children, adults, and teachers. We achieve this through a variety of methods, including educational programming, games, curriculum, film, retreats, seminars, workshops, tours, and eco-travel. All of our projects invite individual exploration, and then reward curiosity with challenge, fun, knowledge, discovery and heightened awareness. 

The SummerTree Institute began its mission in 2001, when founding director Robin Kobaly was inspired to create a new non-profit organization with a goal of “Making Environmental Education Irresistible”. Our organization has been providing innovative educational services and programs for 16 years. One of our field research/curriculum programs that we created specifically for Joshua Tree National Park (www.discoveringtheancients.org) has been in operation for 7 years, and has provided creative, original field programming for thousands of high school students who learn to collect scientific data on ancient desert plants.

Our local programs, such as “Saving The Ancients” and “Discovering The Ancients”, raise awareness about the natural treasures in our local region, including the value of our ancient native plants. Our “Water-Wise Landscaping” program includes workshops, classes, lectures, and DVDs to help homeowners achieve beautiful, drought-tolerant landscaping in their own yards, with a focus on plants native to their region.

In all of our programming, we work to bring that thrill of discovery back to the kid in us all, toward our goal of “Making Environmental Education Irresistible”.

Our swing awaits your return...