Stories

How to Find the Right Mix of Screen Time and Nature Time

Find screen time recommendations by age, family-friendly tips for setting limits, and outdoor apps that help...

The Mental Health Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

From forest bathing to climate anxiety, NEEF connects the science of nature and mental health with practical...

Wetlands Work for Us

Learn more about the importance of wetlands in the US, how you can help protect your local wetlands, and...

Showing 11 - 20 of 130 results

The groom is wearing a bright yellow helmet and sitting on the saddle of a cargo bike. The bridge is in the front basket of the bike. Both of them have their arms raised triumphantly

Nature Lovers Say “I Do” to a Wedding on National Public Lands Day

A Virginia couple took their love of volunteering on public lands to the next level by getting married on National Public Lands Day. Hear their story and learn

A man wearing a handmade bird hat instructs students while standing in an open field. The students are raising their hands

How to Participate in Citizen Science All Year Long

Get involved in citizen science projects any time of year to learn about environmental issues and support biodiversity.

A man sits cross-legged on the ground surrounded by forest

Want to Increase Community Engagement with Your Public Lands Site? Try Forest Bathing

Studies have shown spending time in nature benefits mental and physical health. Try incorporating forest bathing into your next community volunteer event.

A teacher leads a diverse group of children through an overgrown meadow, pointing out something in the distance

How to Plan an Environmental Education Activity on Public Lands

Discover how to plan, execute, and conclude effective environmental education activities that will engage and inspire your community with these practical tips

A young woman sits on a stump in a wooded area. She is holding a pad of paper and a pencil and is staring pensively into the distance.

Revisiting Teaneck Creek: Lessons Learned for Lasting Collaboration in Greening STEM

Lessons learned from a collaborative Greening STEM partnership between Teaneck Creek Conservancy, New Jersey middle schools, and NEEF.

A group gathers around a stone altar as an elder from the Native Hawaiian community explains the significance of the sacrificial offerings placed there

Reviving Pearl Harbor's Royal Legacy on National Public Lands Day

Read the incredible story of how NEEF and the DoD Legacy program united the Navy and native Hawaiians in restoring a cherished royal fishpond in Pearl Harbor.

A woman walking in a green field with her arms open wide.

Use the Health Benefits of Nature to Promote Your Next Outdoor Volunteering Event

Use NEEF’s health and wellness engagement guide to communicate the health and wellness benefits of nature when planning volunteer events.

Protecting Our National Parks and Public Lands

Explore how climate change threatens America's national parks and discover ways you can help preserve these natural wonders for future generations.

A man with an artificial leg helps pick up trash in a forested setting.

Five Key Steps to Planning a Successful, Inclusive Volunteer Event

Eric Gray, founder and executive director of Catalyst Sports, shares his top five steps public lands managers should follow to ensure their volunteer events are

group of diverse people, one in a wheelchair, collecting litter in a forested area

How to Make Your National Public Lands Day Event Accessible to All

We've gathered some tips on how to make your NPLD event more inclusive.