Where It All began
A story that started with a fire, a community, and a promise to give back.
A promise born from loss
In 2003, the Cedar Creek fire tore through Southern California and destroyed Kevin and Wendy Yates’ home and the land around it.
As their community came together to help them rebuild, the Yates resolved to give back to the people who had given so much. In 2008 they founded Nurtured by Nature, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bringing a once-in-a-lifetime experience to children in need through individual animal encounters. Weather permitting, visitors can still swim and play with the otters, alongside fennec foxes, capybaras, a two-toed sloth, lemurs, armadillos, and kangaroos.
Milestones along the way
1987
Animal Educators begins
Kevin Yates starts Animal Educators on his own, and it grows into conservation and sustainable breeding work.
2003
Wildfire, then community
The Cedar Creek fire, one of the Southern California wildfires, destroys the Yates home. The community rallies to help them rebuild.
2008
Nurtured by Nature is born
Moved to give back, Kevin and Wendy Yates found Nurtured by Nature as a 501(c)(3) to share once-in-a-lifetime encounters with children in need.
2024
Otter Valley opens
The all-weather, ADA-accessible Otter Valley Nature Inspiration Center opens its doors.
Be part of the next chapter
Meet the animals whose stories began here, and help write what comes next.