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Our commitment to the Boulder County community is rooted in shared values, including a deep appreciation for the natural world. That’s why Flatirons Bank is proud to continue and expand our partnership with Thorne Nature Experience, a local nonprofit that has been connecting children to nature for more than 70 years.
Thorne is a place where kids learn to connect with nature through curiosity and hands-on experiences, impacting kids from infancy through high school.
“We create joyful, hands-on experiences outdoors that spark curiosity and build real connections with the natural world.” - Thorne
At Flatirons Bank, we’ve taken our support beyond our continued sponsorship of Thorne’s Natural Night Out Gala, their largest and most impactful fundraising event of the year, to also back a truly inspiring initiative: the pilot program of Nature Together.
A New Model of Connection: Nature Together
Launched recently by Thorne, Nature Together is an innovative program designed for parents, caregivers, and their infants and toddlers to experience nature together. It’s more than a nature walk. It’s an opportunity for caregivers and young children to connect with each other and the environment.
At Flatirons Bank, we don’t just invest in programs, we experience them. Chanel McDowell, our VP of Marketing and Client Experience, joined a recent Nature Together session with her young son, and the experience had a lasting impact.
The morning began with a group welcome, a simple song with instruments for the children, and space to set intentions. The group then walked together down a nearby path along Coal Creek, stopping when something caught the children’s attention, moving at their own pace, and connecting with nature.
During the walk, Chanel’s son was handed a branch from another toddler - an ordinary moment that became meaningful. He held onto it the entire time, proud to wave it around and carry it along the walk. (You can see he’s still carrying the branch in the photo above!) These moments, while small, capture what Nature Together is all about: shared experiences that build trust, curiosity, and community.
The walk ended with herbal tea and snacks back at Thorne’s Lafayette Nature Center. As the infants and toddlers snacked, parents and caregivers reflected on their experiences, sharing about the joys and challenges of early parenting. The session created space for honest conversation and mutual support. Chanel left with a deeper appreciation for the program’s impact.
Why We Believe in This Work
Flatirons Bank is proud to back programs like Nature Together because they bring community to life in ways that matter. Supporting Thorne’s work is a natural extension of our commitment to making a difference in Boulder County and beyond. Our philanthropic approach focuses on four pillars: education, community empowerment, basic needs, and cultural and environmental stewardship.
Their programs, from summer camps, preschool, outdoor education and workshops, and now Nature Together, foster environmental literacy and a sense of stewardship that lasts a lifetime. And financial support allows them to offer scholarships and multilingual programming to ensure all families have access to the natural world.
Looking Ahead
As Nature Together prepares to return in Spring 2026, we encourage you to learn more about Thorne’s work and the unique power of early childhood nature programs. Your support helps ensure programs like these continue to grow.
To learn more about Thorne Nature Experience and the Nature Together program, visit thornenature.org.
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