Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2026
CONTACT: Billy Berler, billy.berler@sierraclub.org
Outdoors Alliance for Kids Launches New “One Million Kids Outdoors” Initiative to Connect More Children with Nature
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Outdoors Alliance for Kids, a national partnership of more than 100 organizations and businesses, is excited to introduce the new One Million Kids Outdoors initiative. The One Million Kids Outdoors (1MKO) Initiative is a national movement that aims to get one million kids outdoors over the next year to transform their health and well-being.
Driven by excessive screen time, modern stressors, and systemic inequalities in park access, today’s youth face an unprecedented disconnection from nature alongside an escalating mental and physical health crisis. Despite the proven therapeutic benefits of the outdoors, federal investments remain scarce – threatening both the well-being of a generation and the future of conservation.
This national movement is an urgent call to action – through storytelling, advocacy and direct support – to restore the fundamental right of every child to experience joy, healing, and active play in nature.
In response, coalition steering committee members of the Outdoors Alliance for Kids released the following statements:
“Sierra Club is proud to lead the launch of the One Million Kids Outdoors Initiative to encourage a new generation of children to build a lifelong connection with nature. The memories we make as kids—seeing stars away from city lights, walking through a forest, or discovering a new favorite park—often become the experiences that inspire us to protect these places for years to come. Every child should have the chance to experience America’s public lands and waters and grow up knowing these places are theirs to explore and protect, and 1MKO aims to make that happen,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Loren Blackford.
Lysa Ratliff, CEO at KABOOM! said, “Central to a healthy, well-rounded childhood is the ability to enjoy the outdoors and be in nature. Whether that’s a local park, a hiking trail at a state park, or camping in a national park, the most important thing we can do for our kids right now is to get them to unplug and be in the natural world. Doing so improves their mental health, helps educate them on the value of protecting our planet, and encourages them to be physically active. I encourage everyone within the OAK network to commit to this pledge and help get one million kids outdoors over the coming year.”
“At Justice Outside, we believe every child, especially Black, Indigenous, and children of color, deserves to know the joy and belonging of being outdoors. In a moment when so many families are facing real barriers to nature, getting one million kids outside is exactly the kind of bold, hopeful work we need. We are honored to stand with OAK and our partners, and there is room in this for all of us,” said Kim Bailey, President & CEO, at Justice Outside.
Tracy Stone Manning, the President at The Wilderness Society, said “Every child should have the chance to feel the joy, wonder and freedom that time outside provides, which is why The Wilderness Society is proud to support the launch of the One Million Kids Outdoors initiative. Whether climbing, hiking, biking, fishing or just playing among the trees, time outdoors connects children to the clean air, parks and wild places that help them feel part of something bigger.”
“Every child deserves the chance to step outside, move their body and discover the joy of being active. The Outdoors Alliance for Kids’ One Million Kids Outdoors initiative is a meaningful step toward helping more young people experience the benefits of nature for both their physical and mental well-being. By opening the door to the outdoors, we can inspire kids to build heart-healthy habits early, fostering longer, healthier lives—and creating a lifelong love of movement and the natural world,” said Mark Schoeberl, EVP of Advocacy, American Heart Association.
“At a time when young people are spending more time indoors and facing growing mental and physical health challenges, getting kids outside has never been more important,” said Outdoors Alliance for Kids Campaign Manager Julia Hurwit. “Every child deserves the chance to experience joy, play, and connection in nature. The One Million Kids Outdoors initiative is a powerful call to action to ensure that access to the outdoors is treated as essential to every child’s well-being and to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.”
“The benefits for kids of learning from and engaging in nature are far-ranging. Improved mental health, increased physical activity, and learning from the natural world are just a few. Improving the connection to nature is more necessary than ever. Let’s get children and youth outdoors!” said David Beard, Director of Policy & Government Affairs at Children & Nature Network.
“Decades of research make it clear: time outdoors is essential for children’s health, well-being, and environmental literacy. The One Million Kids Outdoors Initiative turns that knowledge into action. NAAEE is honored to be part of this effort,” said Sarah Bodor, Director of Policy, North American Association for Environmental Education.
The following groups are supporters of this initiative: Alleghany- Blue Ridge Alliance, American Heart Association, American Hiking Society, Appalachian Mountain Club, Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE), Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE), Avid4 Adventure, Be The Light Global Inc. DBA Black Girls Hike Too, Blue Sky Fund, Boulder Valley Inspiring Connections Outdoors, California Environmental Voters, Celebrate Planet Earth, Chicago Adventure Therapy, Chicago Voyagers, Children & Nature Network, Climate Democracy Initiative, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, Conservation Nation, Cottonwood Institute, Detroit Outdoors, Denver Inspiring Connections Outdoors, Denver Urban Gardens, Endangered Species Coalition, Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK), Evanston Child Development Center, Explore Ecology, Friends of the Organ Mountains – Desert Peaks, GirlVentures, Green Schoolyards America, Healthy Parks Healthy Person TN, Healthy Schools Campaign, Hendricks County Garden Club, Hidden Villa, Hitchcock Woods Foundation, Huellas Latinas, Integrity Sustainable Planning and Design, Jefferson Memorial Forest, Joe H. Madrid: Rise!, Justice Outside, KABOOM!, Lake County Parks and Recreation/Get Outdoors Leadville!, Latino Outdoors, Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, Maine Environmental Education Association, Mater Amoris Montessori School, Montana Conservation Corps, The Mountaineers, Muddy Sneakers Outdoor Classroom, MyPath, National Association of State Parks Directors, National Military Family Association, National Park Trust, National Recreation and Parks Association, Nature for All, Nevada Outdoor School, NEXT.cc STEAM by DESIGN ECO WEB, North American Association for Environmental Education, Northwest Youth Corps, NYC Parks – Staten Island Greenbelt, Oakland Goes Outdoors, Ocean Discovery Institute, Outward Bound USA, Palm Beach County Inspiring Connections Outdoors, Railyard Park Conservancy, Refugee Education & Adventure Challenge (REACH), Refugee Women’s Network, REI Co-op, Reno Inspiring Connections Outdoors, Restorative Places, Safe Routes Partnership, Salted Roots, Say Yes to Recess, SEI, Sierra Club, Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, SOS Outreach, Story Walking Radio Hour, SubjectToClimate, Sunny Stella™, Ten Strands, Texas Children in Nature Network, Together for Brothers (T4B), TOTAL NM, Ventura Country Farm to School, Washington Trails Association, Western Hills Garden, Wilderness Louisville, Wilderness Inquiry, The Wilderness Society, Winter Wildlands Alliance, The Woods Project, The Xerces Society, YMCA of the USA.
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The Outdoors Alliance for Kids is a national strategic partnership of more than 100 businesses and nonprofit organizations from diverse sectors with a common interest in connecting children, youth and families with the outdoors. Learn more at outdoorsallianceforkids.org.
