Nature 101: Be An Insider, Outside!
Nature is for everyone. Spending time outside offers many physical and mental health benefits. Here's how to maximize your next outdoor adventure.
Nature is for everyone, and spending time outside offers many proven physical and mental health benefits, like stress reduction, vitamin D exposure, social bonding, even relief for digital screen-wearied eyes. It is important, then, for everyone to have access to and comfort in the outdoors.
Some people face impediments to accessing nature easily, including lack of familiarity, physical needs, even misconceptions about required equipment. In a recent New Jersey survey commissioned by The Nature Conservancy, respondents who self-reported having spent no or limited time in nature also cited other obstacles: lack of transportation, concerns about wildlife encounters, unfamiliarity with trail markers and maps, and low confidence for facing emergencies away from the residential bustle.
Nature 101, a fun new series produced by TNC in partnership with local subject experts, aims to provide education, encouragement, resources and opportunities to enhance access to and enjoyment of nature for everyone. The quick, lighthearted and approachable videos break down the basics—and the barriers—for maximizing outdoor experiences.
Nature 101 Video Series
Click the images below to watch each episode. Watch, share and hit the trails!
Episode 1: Health Benefits of Nature
Benefits of Spending Time In Nature, featuring licensed mental health therapist Judi Hauser, explores the many reasons why it is important to get away from technology and spend time in some fresh air.
Episode 2: Nature Knowhow Basics
Nature Knowhow: Basics for Going Outdoors, featuring Keyana Jones of Hikeolution, sees an “Average Joe” learning a lot (and doing some silly arm flexing) when he is engaged in an unexpected pop-up nature game show.
Episode 3: Enjoying Your Local Park
COMING SOON: Making the Most of Your Local Park, featuring Wynnie-Fred Victor Hinds of Weequahic Park Association, reimagines a dating app to highlight everything to love about nearby green spaces.
Episode 4: Outdoor Adventure Prep
Simple Prep for Outdoor Adventure puts TNC’s Critical Lands Manager Damon Noe in the role of “Trail Safety Agent,” humorously guiding a would-be hiker through the necessary steps to make a more challenging nature excursion safe and enjoyable.
Episode 5: Nature Trail Knowledge
Understanding Nature Trails, featuring Keyana Jones of Hikeolution, riffs on those old driving safety videos, with the host guiding a nature walker through trail maps, blazes and etiquette.
Episode 6: Trail Troubleshooting
Trail Troubleshooting, featuring author and TNC volunteer Jim Wright, parodies the Oregon Trail video game as hikers make decisions about challenges (including downed trees and low-pixel animations) that can crop up on a nature walk.
Episode 7: Children and Nature
Adventuring with Children, featuring Brenda Kessler of Children and Nature Network, presents a straightforward recounting of how outdoor time specifically benefits kids physically, emotionally and developmentally.
Episode 8: Learning Laboratory
Learning Laboratory for All Ages, featuring science educator Elizabeth Nunez, invites everyone to explore nature’s wonders with a mindful approach, noting plants and trees, fungi, insects, animals and the science of ecology all around us.
Episode 9: Accessing Nature
Resources for Accessing Nature, featuring Sean Kane-Holland of Pinelands Preservation Alliance, presents best practices, apps and solution ideas to help people with mobility considerations, low or no vision or sensory issues to prepare for and maximize enjoyment of the outdoors.
Episode 10: NJ Outdoor Destinations
In Outdoor Destinations in New Jersey, Johnny Quispe, TNC’s associate director of Cities Programs in New Jersey, pops in unexpectedly to a business meeting to relay information about some great places to enjoy nature in the Garden State.
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Meet the Director
Jessica Dotson
The creative force behind the Nature 101 video series is Jessica Dotson, a New Jersey-based filmmaker, storyteller and self-taught animator. Jessica received her education in media studies and film at Rutgers University, honing her skills in film and video production.
She currently works as an associate producer at Nickelodeon and a freelancer in digital video creation, saying, “I love to tell stories with compelling narratives across all mediums that engage people of all backgrounds!”
TNC: How did you react when you were initially approached to help with this project?
JD: I was super excited—I always love to work on videos that help the community in some way. And they wanted to do 10!
TNC: What excited you about making the Nature 101 series? What surprised you?
JD: I was surprised how much I learned about nature. I live in more of a city area, and learning how and where I can access nature just shows how valuable these videos will be to a general audience.
TNC: Any memorable moments during production?
JD: Getting to see all these beautiful places we have right around the corner—waterfalls, lakes and even animals. It was a really fun experience!
TNC: What is your favorite way to spend time outdoors?
JD: I’m a city gal…not a big fan of bugs, haha! BUT, my favorite way to spend time outdoors is to put on my headphones, turn up the tunes and take a stroll around the park…which I’ve now learned counts as nature!
TNC: Thoughts about The Nature Conservancy?
JD: I was not aware of TNC before this project, but I love what they do. As a society, we don’t know how much we rely on the natural world. And I love that TNC’s mission is to preserve that world AND to educate people about it.
TNC: How did you employ skills from your professional career to this project?
JD: Video making is what I do! My day job is an associate producer making short- and long-form digital media. So I brought all my skills from work to TNC, pulling upon my experience to script, plan, film and edit the videos.
TNC: Do you have a favorite video?
JD: I’m very proud of how all the videos turned out. I would say either the TSA or Oregon Trail parodies are my favorites, just because I think when you couple comedy with education, it makes it fun to learn while also having the info “stick.” I also liked the Nature Knowhow gameshow—all the actors were really on their A games for that one!
TNC: What do you hope the videos achieve?
JD: I hope people get valuable information about nature and some entertainment too!
Our Nature 101 Partners
Hikeolution: A casual group based in northern New Jersey that hosts weekly hikes and events for anyone interested in exploring nature, with a special interest in reconnecting Black people to the great outdoors.
Pinelands Preservation Alliance: Since 1989, the leading voice for protecting the natural and historic resources of the New Jersey Pinelands. In 2021, they launched The Pinelands is For Everyone project, allying individuals with disabilities, organizations dedicated to the welfare of those with disabilities, and public and private landowning agencies to help overcome these barriers so everyone can enjoy the benefits of time in nature by visiting the parks, forests and preserves.
Children & Nature Network: A nationwide nonprofit supporting and mobilizing leaders, educators, activists, practitioners and parents working to turn the trend of an indoor childhood back outside to the benefits of nature—and to increase safe and equitable access to the natural world for all.
Weequahic Park Association: A nationally recognized, grassroots environmental nonprofit dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Newark’s Weequahic Park.
Celery Farm: Author Jim Wright’s blog about High Mountain Park Preserve, Celery Farm Nature Preserve, wildlife and more.
Handy Resources
- NJ Transit’s Transit to Trails Program
- Pinelands Preservation Alliance—Accessible Trails Map of New Jersey
- Cornell Lab—Merlin Bird ID App
- Plant and Animal Identification—Seek by iNaturalist App
- Birdability—Global Accessible Preserves Map
- Disabled Hikers—West Coast Trail Guides
- Tips for Hiking with Kids—Take a Hike
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