Bullfrog on land

Jim Stewart/A Sense of Wonder Photography

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Nature

More than eight in 10 Americans live in cities, separated from the natural world by walls of concrete and steel. So it's not surprising that we think of nature only when it comes time to planning a vacation. Nature may be a nice place to visit, but we don't live there. Or do we? No matter where we live, the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the energy that powers our cars, lights, and other electronic devices all derive from nature. Even when we pave it over, nature still surrounds us, making possible our very existence.

NEEF's mission is not to tear down the walls separating us from nature, but to open a doorway to it – to show Americans how much we need nature: how it sustains our lives, benefits our health, and enriches our souls. To learn more, please click on the tabs below.

Deer among mountain snowpack

Don't Feed the Deer!

When humans provide food, deer numbers decline.

American Bullfrog coming out of water

Freezing Frogs

Without fur or feathers, how do cold-blooded animals survive the winter?

A groundhog

Four Faunal Forecasters

Here are four animals that are known for their weather wisdom. Some of these proverbs are true, while others are not. Can you guess which are real?

Family of reindeer in the arctic

Where Have Santa's Reindeer Gone?

Both reindeer and caribou rely on lichen as their main food source in the winter, which is threatened in Alaska.

Male greater sage-grouse in courtship display

Birds are Late for a Very Important Date

Migratory birds rely on their internal biological clocks to tell them when to arrive to and depart from breeding grounds.

Ringed seal

US Wildlife on the Move

Changes in fish/wildlife populations and their habitats in response to a changing climate have been observed on multiple levels in the United States.

Northern Bobwhite Quail

Audubon's Christmas Bird Count

The annual Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count helps researchers, conservation biologists, and others study North American bird populations over time.

Yellow legged tree frog

The Unique Lives of Frogs

Globally, about 30% of amphibian species, including frogs, salamanders, and newts, are at risk of extinction.

Explore

Fighting egrets

Wetlands of the United States

Found on every continent save Antarctica, wetlands come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes—and hydrological, ecological and geological conditions!

The Watershed Sleuth Challenge

In this Watershed Sleuth Challenge, you will learn more about your watershed—what it is, why it’s important, and what you can do to help protect it.

Take the Challenge

Long-billed Curlew foraging in a river estuary

America's Estuaries

Estuaries are found around the world, offering productive habitat to thousands of species of animals.

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