The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

My dad helps protect the tree this came from! © Kirsten Morse

Bob Carey, Washington’s strategic partnerships director, and his wife couldn’t believe what they were seeing when their sons left their Nintendo gaming systems in the car before getting on the boat to Yellow Island. When they asked about it, the boys looked at them like they were out to lunch. “We don’t need those on Yellow!” they exclaimed – and they were right. They spent the day looking for crabs, playing on the beach, paddling around the island in a driftwood raft, defending the island from imaginary intruders, and never once missing their video games. These are the kinds of stories we love at The Nature Conservancy. 

Conservation isn’t just a job to us. We are environmentally minded people who make a commitment in our personal lives to respect and protect nature. You can see it in the recycling and compost bins we use throughout our offices, the GREEN dish detergent we are proud to use in our office kitchen and the ecofriendly pens we’ve refilled with ink countless times. 

You can also hear it when we tell each other about our weekend plans. The central theme of our plans, whether they include kayaking, hiking, camping, bird-watching or fishing is the great outdoors. And we don’t do it alone - we love to share these experiences with our friends and family, and especially our kids. 

Studies show that kids who go outside are healthier, happier and smarter, and we have seen with our own eyes the powerful impact nature has on the kids in our lives. That is why sharing our love of nature is one of our collective core values. 

Click here to see pictures of our staff enjoying nature with their kids.

One of the most powerful things you can do for our future is instill a passion for nature in the kids in your life. Once they have witnessed the majesty of the mountains and ocean, seen where their food comes from - or better yet grown or collected their own - and discovered amazing new creatures outside, a lifelong environmentalist will be born and your legacy of conservation will carry on. 

School is out, the days are long and the weather is finally perfect. What are you waiting for? 

Need Ideas?

How about a nature themed treasure hunt? 

Or teach your kids to identify animal tracks? 

Or maybe get them hooked on bird-watching? 

Don’t forget to bring them to a volunteer event. 

And check out Nature Rocks for more activities and a guide to planning your summer adventures. 

Now get out there with your family and explore the lands and waters you’re helping protect!