Green Hour

8-Year-Old Shows Power of Speaking Up for Nature

As the Maryland General Assembly wrapped this week there was a bill signing that was important for us conservationists because it addressed an important issue – Invasive Plant Species. For … Read more

5 Ways to Unplug and Connect with Your Family for Earth Day

Are you ready for Earth Day? Help your family embrace nature on April 22 by doing more than just hugging a tree with these activities from Rebecca P. Cohen’s new … Read more

Girl exploring the garden

Spring Winds and Green Things

In spring, to borrow a few poetic phrases from Alfred Lord Tennyson, a young person’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of … kite flying, dirt digging, seed planting and other outdoor activities. Read more

5 Ways to Lure Teens Off the Couch and Outside

As a mom of two teenage girls, I’m more than often hearing the same old excuse,

“There’s nothing to do outside”

“I’m bored.”

It frustrates me to see them on the couch wasting their valuable time watching TV or playing video games when they could be outside enjoying the outdoors, co-existing with nature, getting some exercise, and being with friends. Read more

Get Real, Get Outside

What are you missing when you’re looking at screens? Play Again, a documentary shown as part of DC’s Environmental Film Festival, tackled this question, portraying the changing balance between the … Read more

Boy munching on trowel

It’s in the dirt! Bacteria in soil may make us happier, smarter

Dirt can be good for you? That’s what recent scientific research is telling us. So — pass the mud pies! Read more

No Child Left Inside- Be Out There!

No Child Left Inside How often do kids spend time outdoors in unstructured play? Not too often nowadays. If you think your kids are getting that outdoor time at school, … Read more

Outdoor Play for Baby Boomers: An Audio Archive

Welcome to the Free Play Project, which celebrates the history of unstructured, spontaneous play for children in the United States by gathering audio recordings of people’s memories of stickball, marbles, and other outdoor games. Read more

Celebrate National Wildlife Week with 15 Minutes Outside

Want to know how you can celebrate National Wildlife Week right in your backyard? Head outside for 15 minutes each day the week of March 14-20 to notice the nature in your neighborhood with these five activities Read more

Green Hearts for Valentine’s Day

Get tips for having a “green” Valentine’s Day with your kids this year. Read more