Families in Nature – Connecting children and their families to nature and to each other

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Fall in love with nature

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Our Mission

To connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing and volunteering outdoors.
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Our Vision

To inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

Programs

The Ecologist School

The Ecologist School

The Ecologist School is the backbone of all of our programming. When we take families out into nature, or train guides to take their own communities …

Guide Development Program

Guide Development Program

Train to become a certified nature guide or to move your classroom outdoors through Families in Nature’s Guide Development Program (GDP) and …

Nature Communities

Nature Communities

Families in Nature would like to encourage you to start your own Nature Community in your school, neighborhood, or organization. A Nature Community …

Gear Library

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, …

Youth Leadership

Youth Leadership

A key piece of the work of Families in Nature is fostering the next generation of conservationists. A love of nature is the foundation of all …

Nature Travel

Nature Travel

Families in Nature offers environmentally responsible, immersive, nature-rich travel and field science experiences for children and …

Our Supporters

Winkler Family
Foundation

Stark Martin
Charitable Trust

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Proud Partner

Our Partners

Proud Partner

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familiesinnature

Every year in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day,

Every year in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, FIN joins many across the country in a day of service. This year we are unable to gather together due to rising infection rates in our area, but this doesn’t mean you can’t lead your own family service day!

Tomorrow on Jan. 17th, MLK Day, go outside and give back to your community in whatever way fits your family! We are going to clean up our neighborhood by picking up trash along the sidewalks and in the parks!

#familiesinnature #volunteerism #ecologistschool #mlkday #natureforall #optoutside #kidsoutside #serviceproject #keepaustinbeautiful

Looking for a fun, free outdoor activity for this

Looking for a fun, free outdoor activity for this weekend? Phyllis invites you to complete this scavenger hunt with the family. For more fun ways to discover your nearby nature, check out FIN's Ecologist School Lessons at https://familiesinnature.org/ecologistschool/

#fridayswithphyllis #familiesinnature #ecologistschool #juniorecologist #science #homeschool #kidsoutside #NatureForAll

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad g

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear! So bundle up and go explore this winter!
❄️❄️❄️
Here are some tips to help you and your family stay warm outside:

1) Layers, layers, layers! The heat captured between each layer keeps you warm while giving the you the option to peel a few off if you get too hot. Instead of cotton try to opt for wool, as cotton absorbs moisture and doesn’t retain heat making it tricky to stay warm!

2) Cover your head, neck, hands and feet 🧢 🧤🥾

3) Keep moving! But don’t get too sweaty, staying dry is essential to staying toasty and warm!

4) Treat yourself to some rich snacks like nuts, chocolate and bananas 🥜🍫 🍌

5) Have fun!
❄️❄️❄️
Photo from @fetterj4369 nature community

#familiesinnature #ecologistschool #allweatherplay #natureforall #kidsoutside #handsonscience #outdooreducation #science #freeplay

One of our awesome guides, @fetterj4369 is gearing

One of our awesome guides, @fetterj4369 is gearing up for a year of nature exploration and we are doing the same!
🔎☀️🥾
There are so many ways to spend meaningful time outdoors. Here are 96 activity ideas from our Ecologist School Curriculum that you can do anywhere with your family!
https://familiesinnature.org/ecologistschool/

#familiesinnature #ecologistschool #optoutside #kidsoutside #natureforall #outdooreducation #conservation #nature

Are you still clearing out those unwanted Christma

Are you still clearing out those unwanted Christmas trees? Phyllis shares how to recycle those trees and also get some mulch for those 2022 gardening projects! Find out more about becoming a Junior Ecologist at: https://familiesinnature.org

#fridayswithphyllis #familiesinnature #ecologistschool #juniorecologist #homeschool #science

Happy New Year from Families in Nature!! We invite

Happy New Year from Families in Nature!! We invite you to join us outside in 2022. To see what we have planned, visit: https://familiesinnature.org/events-list/#!event-list

Check out some of the incredible bird ID’s and s

Check out some of the incredible bird ID’s and scientific drawings from one of our youth leaders working towards her ornithology badge! She may be in elementary school, but she’s well on her way to becoming a Certified Junior Ecologist!

#familiesinnature #ecologistschool #naturejournal #ornithology #birdidentification #texasbirds

There are only a few more days left in 2021, but i

There are only a few more days left in 2021, but it is not to late to give the gift of going outdoors to families from FIN's donor supported nature communities.

Help us meet our goal to raise enough money for 40 family camping kits!! Donate now at: https://donorbox.org/families-in-nature

Start off the new year on the right foot and join

Start off the new year on the right foot and join a nationwide 1st Day Hike! Many state parks are offering free admission for both guided and self led hikes. Even if you can’t make it to a state park, explore a local trail or go outside in your neighborhood! This photo was taken at Colorado Bend State Park on our fall campout with Boone Elementary.
🥾🥾🥾
Where is your family going for your first day hike? Comment below!

#familiesinnature #ecologistschool #firstdayhike #optoutside #kidsoutside #natureforall

From all of us at Families in Nature, happy holida

From all of us at Families in Nature, happy holidays! We hope you have a wonderful holiday and take the opportunity to spend some time outside with friends and family!

From all of us at Families in Nature, happy holida

From all of us at Families in Nature, happy holidays! We hope you have a wonderful holiday and take the opportunity to spend some time outside with friends and family!

Looking to increase the impact of your philanthrop

Looking to increase the impact of your philanthropic gifts? Consider becoming a sustaining donor. It is amazing how quickly monthly gifts add up!! Donate now at https://donorbox.org/families-in-nature

Phyllis is still looking for ways to give gifts to

Phyllis is still looking for ways to give gifts to nearby nature. One way you can help out is to create insect houses. These habitats can range from very simple to extremely elaborate. The main goal is to create different sized holes, nooks and crannies for insects to hide and nest in. It's best to put them on the fence line or away from your house. Try adding different types of materials - like wood, straw, bamboo and mulch. To learn more about the Ecologist School visit https://familiesinnature.org

Do an activity for your nearby nature to make it b

Do an activity for your nearby nature to make it better for local wildlife! You can make homemade bird feeders or edible outdoor tree decorations that double as food for native birds and squirrels.
🐦🐦🐦
Feeding birds in the winter is actually essential to keeping our feathered friends nourished and healthy during the colder months! With shorter days and smaller natural seed sources, there is less time to be spent foraging and less food to be found. Help your backyard birds prepare for spring by placing feeders in safe areas with natural coverage and loading them with foods that are high in fat and oil content like black-oil sunflower seeds, suet, dry roasted, de-shelled and unsalted peanuts and cracked corn.
🥜🥜🥜
Take pictures of your winter feeding set up and any visitors that pay a visit and tag @familiesinnature or send them to jordan@familiesinnature.org to earn your free badge!
🐦🐦🐦
Photo by @heatherkuhlken
#familiesinnature #ecologistschool #backyardbirding #winterbirds #natureforall #naturephotography #science #conservation

When trained volunteer guides lead families from t

When trained volunteer guides lead families from their communities, they engage with nature in their own unique and meaningful ways. If you want to give the gift of helping others spend time outdoors, join us for our Guide Development Training. Contact Jordan@familiesinnature.org to join the interest list.

Thank you to everyone who came out to help beautif

Thank you to everyone who came out to help beautify our section of Shoal Creek yesterday.
🚮🚮🚮
Creek clean ups are such an easy way to get outside and spend quality time with friends and family while making a difference!

#familiesinnature #creekcleanup #volunteer #ecologistschool #natureforall #kidsoutside #conservation

Phyllis would like to invite you to FIN's Annual H

Phyllis would like to invite you to FIN's Annual Holiday Creek Clean Up. We've been picking up trash at Shoal Creek in December for over a decade. To sign up, visit: https://familiesinnature.org/events/central/#!event/2021/12/12/families-in-nature-creek-clean-up

#fridayswithphyllis #familiesinnature #creekcleanup #juniorecologist #ecologistschool

Creek cleanups are essential to keeping our ripari

Creek cleanups are essential to keeping our riparian habitats and waterways healthy!
🌾🌾🌾
Families in Nature has been cleaning up our adopted section of Shoal Creek for over a decade! We hope you can join us this Sunday at our annual holiday clean up to help us continue our season of giving back to nature.
🌾🌾🌾
Visit our website for more information!
#familiesinnature #kidsoutside #natureforall #creekcleanup #givebacktonature #outdooreducation

Everyone deserves to spend meaningful time outdoor

Everyone deserves to spend meaningful time outdoors. The intention of the Family Camping Kit is to overcome some of the financial barriers that prevent families from spending time in nature and allows families to spend time camping on their own when work and school schedules allow. Each kit includes a tent, sleeping pads and water bottles for a family of four. Each kit costs about $350. Our goal is to raise enough money to provide kits for 40 families.

This holiday season give the gift of getting back into nature. No gift is too small to help foster a lifelong relationship with nature! Visit https://donorbox.org/families-in-nature

Come join our team!

Come join our team!

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FIN membership will help you and your family spend more time in nature adventuring, experiencing field science, and making memories that will last a lifetime. We welcome you to our community.

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What are we going to do for Spring Break this year?

It’s March of 2021, exactly one year after all of our lives …

Global Need for Nature

All around the globe, people need connection to nature and to each …

Everyone Needs Nature and Nature Needs Everyone

In the work of conservation and nature education, we are increasingly focusing …

Let’s Get Them Fishing!

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Families in Nature

About Us
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