Families In Nature Inspires Next Generation Of Conservationists

AUSTIN, TX — Families in Nature (FiN), connecting children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing and volunteering outdoors, offer a host of programs for the community to enjoy amid the pandemic. Through its efforts and programming, FiN seeks to inspire families to experience and enjoy nature together, and foster the next generation of conservationists in Central Texas.

In addition to programs, FiN offers workshops and classes to enjoy throughout the year. For more information including updates to scheduling amid COVID-19, click HERE.

FAMILIES IN NATURE PROGRAMS

The Ecologist School: During this time of global health crisis, we would like to support you and your family while you are staying at home by giving you ideas to get out into nature in your own backyard, to encourage siblings to play and learn together at home, and to support or supplement your family’s science education. For more information, click HERE.

Family Nature Communities: Families in Nature encourages all of our volunteer Guides to start Nature Communities in their own school, neighborhood, or organization. A Nature Community is a group of people that explore nature together. For more information, click HERE.

Familias Aventureras: Families in Nature offers Familias Aventureras events throughout the school year in Central Texas. The goal of our Familias Aventureras Program is to create equitable access to nature and increase diversity in outdoor activities and environmental education. Familias Aventureras events are funded by grants and donations and are free for participants from underrepresented ethnicities and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The events are offered in English and in Spanish. For more information, click HERE.

Gear Library: FIN’s Gear Library works just like a book library, with the goal of eliminating common barriers that keep people from spending time in nature, camping, hiking, backpacking and more. We loan or rent camping and environmental education gear to schools and organizations with youth and family programs who share our mission to connect children and families to nature. The FIN Gear Library has the capacity to serve at least 100 campers at a time with high quality equipment. Whether you are taking your group of youth or families on a camping trip or out on a backpacking adventure, we’ve got you covered. Our gear library has everything you need for a successful trip, thanks to generous support from Outdoor Empowered Network, our supporters, partners and individual donors. Under-resourced schools and communities can borrow gear at no cost once Guide Development Program training is completed. Schools and organizations with financial resources are asked to pay a nominal rental fee so that our grants and donations can be reserved for groups that do not have the resources to pay for gear. For more information, click HERE.

Guide Development Program: Train to become a certified family nature guide through Families in Nature’s Guide Development Program (GDP). Gain the skills and confidence to get your school or community out into nature to play, learn and volunteer together! For more information, click HERE.

Nature Travel: Families in Nature offers environmentally responsible, immersive, nature-rich travel and field science experiences for children and families. Travel itineraries focus on the ecology of the area visited and include volunteer projects that are science or community focused. Our Nature Immersion Trips are frequently offered in partnership with local conservation organizations and incorporate experiential science (formerly called citizen science). For more information, click HERE. Note: Nature Travel opportunities are suspended until further notice due to COVID-19.