Experiential Connection

By immersing people in hands-on, place-based, and emotionally engaging experiences with nature and culture, foster lasting stewardship and learning, because direct, meaningful interaction deepens personal relevance, emotional resonance, and behavioral change more effectively than passive instruction. This strategy centers on creating transformative understanding through active participation—whether via outdoor expeditions, play-based discovery, cultural rituals, or citizen science—grounded in specific places and communities. It distinguishes itself from purely informational or didactic approaches by prioritizing emotional, sensory, and social engagement as catalysts for long-term environmental and cultural stewardship.

107

orgs running it

2,227

activities of those orgs

clusters touched

who runs it

organizations running this strategy · 107

+ 77 more orgs

what it looks like in practice

activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above. These are what the strategy looks like on the ground.

Conduct Nature-Focused Kids Day Events Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Organizes "Kids Day" events focused on nature education, including activities like learning about bird diets, making pinecone bird feeders, and exploring prehistoric animals through fossil making.
Deliver nature-based education for children Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Hosts “Kids Day” events focused on hands-on nature education, including activities such as making pinecone bird feeders, learning about bird diets, exploring prehistoric animals, and creating fossil models.
Facilitate Access to Native Seeds Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Facilitates access to ethically collected, genetically diverse native seeds from Borderlands Restoration by arranging delivery of online orders to Carr House during programs.
Host free public educational programs on natural history Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Hosts free educational programs every other Sunday from May through October, including co-hosted presentations, live specimen demonstrations, and talks on local wildlife and conservation, such as beaver populations, herpetology, and bird observatories.
Maintain Nature Trails and Historical Sites Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Maintains a nature trail open daily from dawn to dusk around the Carr House and installs interpretive signs along trails to educate visitors about historical sites like the Reef mines and Carr Ranch ruins.
Maintain and interpret historical and natural sites Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Maintains the nature trail and surrounding areas of the Carr House, ensures daily public access from dawn to dusk, and installs interpretive signage at locations such as the Reef mines and Carr Ranch ruins to educate visitors about mining history and cultural heritage.
Operate Carr House as a seasonal educational center Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Operates the Carr House on weekends and federal holidays from April to November as an educational center with exhibits about the Huachuca Mountains, offering public access, information, and interpretation about the region's natural and cultural history.
Operate and Maintain Carr House Information Center Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Operates the Carr House Information Center seasonally on weekends and federal holidays from April to November, providing historical interpretation, educational exhibits about the Huachuca Mountains, and serving as a public information point.
Organize guided nature and bird walks Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Leads guided nature trail walks to historic sites like the Todd/Healy ranch and organizes expert-led bird walks in the canyons of the Huachuca Mountains to observe high-altitude species, including events led by specialists such as Dr. Steve Merkley.
Provide Educational Programs and Guided Walks Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Hosts free educational programs every other Sunday from May through October on topics related to the Huachuca Mountains, offers guided nature trail walks, and organizes expert-led bird walks in the canyons.
Showcase Student Research Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Showcases research presentations by scholarship winners from Cochise College, covering topics from their Biology 192 course.
Showcase local student research and scholarship Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Showcases research presentations by Cochise College scholarship winners from Biology 192, providing a platform for students to share findings on topics related to the Huachuca Mountains.
Support native seed access and ecological restoration Friends of the Huachuca Mountains
direct service
Facilitates public access to ethically collected, genetically diverse native seeds from Borderlands Restoration by arranging delivery of online orders to Carr House during educational programs.
Community engagement in trail development INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION
capacity building
Engaged 742 communities in the trail development process through education and advocacy initiatives.
Community engagement in trail development INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION
capacity building
Engaged 742 communities in the trail development process through education and advocacy initiatives.
Support for community trail commitments INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION
capacity building
Supported 82 communities that have committed to trails through planning and funding assistance.
Support for community trail commitments INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION
capacity building
Supported 82 communities that have committed to trails through planning and funding assistance.
Trail creation in communities INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN BICYCLING ASSOCIATION
direct service
Created trails in 138 communities, providing direct trail infrastructure development.