Program History

Since the beginning of the Greenway Foundation’s efforts to clean up and revitalize the South Platte River, education has been one of the primary objectives. The SPREE program has grown out of an integration of education with stewardship. The Greenway Foundation believes that providing opportunities for children to experience the South Platte River in a hands on way, to learn about the River’s roll in the birth of Denver, and to experience nature in the city are the best ways to ensure that the South Platte is preserved and taken care of for years to come.

SPREE was born out of collaboration between the Greenway Foundation and a group of DPS teachers led by Carl Crookham (pictured above). These teachers saw strength in providing experiential outdoor learning opportunities for their students. From these early years of a few teachers with a few classes, SPREE was born. As the program grew, it was possible to have Carl work full time as a SPREE teacher, taking students from across the district to the banks of the South Platte every year.

SPREE Schools

Once SPREE was an established education program in the Denver Public School system, the SPREE School concept was born. SPREE Schools are schools that have adopted the South Platte as a centerpiece of their instruction and curriculum. At SPREE Schools, every student comes on a SPREE adventure every year. By building year to year, students at SPREE Schools develop a powerful relationship with the river by the time they graduate from SPREE. There are currently nine SPREE schools spread across Denver.

SPREE Schools also participate in special events along the river including fishing days, service projects, and other seasonal activities. Denver's nine Premier SPREE Schools are: Fairview, Gilpin, Grant Ranch, McKinley Thatcher, Palmer, Polaris, Southmoor, Steele, and Teller.

SPREE Staff

Jolon Clark - Program Director
Jolon Clark is the SPREE program's director. Jolon was born in Denver and grew up in the Denver Public School system. As a student, Jolon fell in love with the Balarat Outdoor Education Center and was a high school guide at both Balarat and the Bluff Lake Nature Center. He continued to follow his passion for the outdoors and working with children as he pursued a degree in Natural Resources with an emphasis on education through Colorado State University. Jolon graduated with honors and began training with Carl Crookham to take over the SPREE Program. Jolon has been the director of SPREE since 2003.

In addition to his education based degree in Natural Resources, Jolon is a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation and a member of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education and the North American Association for Environmental Education.

J.J. Clark - Excursion and Multimedia Coordinator
J.J. Clark is the SPREE Excursion and Multimedia Coordinator. J.J. was born and raised in Denver and attended Denver Public Schools from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. As a student, he worked as a guide at the Balarat Outdoor Education Center. At Colorado State University he studied English and Theater where his love for education melded with performance and writing. In 2005 J.J. began working for SPREE as a seasonal employee. In 2008, he moved into a full time position. J.J. has worked to combine his multimedia, performance, and writing background to help connect students to the South Platte River.

Elise Mulder - Special Events Coordinator
Elise is an enthusiastic member of the SPREE intern team. She grew up in a suburb south of Denver and has always been fascinated by animals and the outdoors. In college, Elise explored her curiosity about the natural world by studying biology, and in 2008 she graduated from St. Olaf College with a degree in Biology and English. Elise first heard about SPREE in 2008 at an environmental education barbecue where she played washers with the program director. She loved the idea of environmental education that takes place within the city and joined SPREE that fall. She has been working on the South Platte River ever since.

Chompers the SPREEver - Chief SPREE Force Agent
Chompers is a cool dude, foraging for his food, livin' his life by the South Platte River. He has fur on his face, he loves that tree taste, leaving his mark all over the place. He will, He will, Chomp you. Chompers became a member of the SPREE team on December 9th, 2004. He started out as a part time mascot and generally lovable guy. As the SPREE team started to realize that he was a straight shooter with upper management potential, Chompers took on a more active role for SPREE. In September of 2008, Chompers founded the SPREE Force to help keep the South Platte River clean from drain to stream.