Our Organization
Our Vision
We envision a Columbus where every child feels at home in nature and grows up connected, confident, and ready to care for the world around them.
Our Mission
Our mission is to connect Columbus children with the natural world through free, engaging resources that inspire learning, discovery, and care.
Values
Connection to nature
We help children develop a sense of wonder, belonging, and care for the natural world.
Curiosity and agency
We encourage children to notice, ask questions, explore ideas and see themselves as capable learners.
Joyful learning
We make reading, science, and nature inviting, creative and genuinely fun.
Access for all
We create free, inclusive resources that reach children wherever they learn and gather.
Rooted in Columbus
We celebrate the wildlife, places, people and stories that make our community distinctive.
Collaboration
We work with educators, scientists, artists and community partners to create richer learning experiences.
Board of Directors
Tara Sikora
BOARD PRESIDENT
Educator
Geena Soliz
BOARD SECRETARY
Family Therapist
Jessica Dickson
BOARD SECRETARY
Environmental Scientist
Glen Delany
Ecological Economist
Bettina Cooper
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Bettina founded Naturewise Columbus to create Ribbit! Magazine as a free community resource for children across the city. She wanted to bring environmental education and STEM learning to life in a way that helps children connect with the world around them.
“As Columbus grows and changes, it is important that children develop a strong connection to the environment. This helps them grow, learn and find their place in the world.”
Advisory Council
Dr. Edwina Teye
MID-OHIO REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (MORPC)
STEM Impact Collaborative
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Cody Berkebile
COLUMBUS & FRANKLIN COUNTY METRO PARKS
Yusuf Lateef
Artist & Educator
Growing Connections to Nature
In 2025, Ribbit! continued to grow across Columbus. We expanded into more schools, libraries, and community spaces, and increased our print run to keep up with demand. What we built is now showing up in classrooms and homes, where kids are reading, asking questions, and noticing the nature around them.
Your Gift Opens New Ways to Learn
