Environment

Hikers cross an alpine meadow in a stunning mountain landscape

How One Outdoor Educator Builds Sense of Place (and How You Can, Too)

NOLS Instructor Oscar Manguy shares the way he carefully builds a framework for sense of place in order to connect students to nature while on ...

Backpackers enjoy the view from a mountain ridge

Intro to Federal Public Lands in the U.S.

America’s federal public lands are an amazing resource for all kinds of recreation—but how much do you know about the different kinds of public land?

Students, Sustainability, and Showing Up

An open conversation with NOLS Instructor and Environmental Stewardship Coordinator Jonathan Williams.

Carbon Offsets: Making Outdoor Recreation More Sustainable

What if LNT also meant taking it a step further and trying to reduce your impact before you even set foot in the wilderness?

Carbon Offsets: Making Outdoor Recreation More Sustainable

A group of four tents in a mountain meadow — Photo by Prasad Gadgil

One of the first things students learn on a NOLS expedition is how to practice Leave No Trace—the golden rules of minimum impact camping. Poop responsibly (yes, there’s a whole procedure). Don’t leave wrappers behind. Camp on durable surfaces. And so on...

pink and purple sunset with wisps over cloud over calm water in New Zealand

Social Distancing Responsibly in the Outdoors

Now's the time to apply lessons learned outdoors, like practicing LNT, having a positive attitude, and managing risk responsibly, to the frontcountry.

four students hike across a snowfield on Mt Kilimanjaro, as viewed through a crack in a melting glacier

Expedition Science on the Slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro

The NOLS Tanzania Scientific Expedition is a unique opportunity to design and implement a scientific research study—and summit Mount Kilimanjaro!

wildfire consumes a forest with thick smoke and sparks against blackened pines

Managing Risk Outdoors: Backcountry Wildfires

It's no secret: wildfires are scary. If you're planning an outdoor trip in a fire-prone area, adding risk management strategies into your trip plan ...

red, yellow, and purple wildflowers amongst rocks in the mountains

Alumni in Action: Utah Officials Support National Parks

Randy Aton, NOLS alum and Springdale city councilman, discusses the balance between wilderness and community.

Setting up tents in a grassy field with the sun shining

SOAR Act Introduction to the House of Representatives

NOLS and the outdoor recreation industry are rallying behind the Securing Outdoor Access for Recreation Act.

5 Ways to Make Sure Your Next Hike is LNT-Approved

You're probably already familiar with the seven Leave No Trace principles—here are some additional tips to guarantee your next hike is low impact.

A group of four teenagers backpacking stop on a ridge overlooking rolling green mountains

How Climate Change Might Impact Your Next Backpacking Trip

The world is already starting to feel the effects of climate change. Here's some examples of how your next outdoor trip might be affected and how to ...

Climbing for More Than the Summit

NOLS Wilderness Medicine grad Carina Ahlqvist will be the first Scandinavian woman to summit Makalu— but that's not why she joined the 2018 Climate ...

Carbon Reporting at an Outdoor Nonprofit

Environmental stewardship is a foundational value at NOLS and greenhouse gas reporting is one way we're engaging with climate change mitigation.

Close up of a hand starting a whisperlite stove

How to Fix Your Outdoor Gear

Fixing outdoor gear isn’t complicated, as long as you have a few of the right tools.

Tent with open door revealing sleeping bag and other gear inside

Make Your Camping Gear Last Longer

Besides saving money, choosing durable gear means conserving natural resources and minimizing your carbon footprint by not constantly replacing your ...