Organization · Wildlife & Conservation
National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is one of America's oldest and largest conservation organizations, with programs built specifically for families and kids who want to do more than watch nature from a distance. From Ranger Rick magazines to backyard habitat certification, NWF gives families real, satisfying ways to connect with wildlife at every scale.
This page from Outside, the family adventure app, profiles the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for families with children ages 4 to 14. It covers NWF's core programs including Ranger Rick publications, the Certified Wildlife Habitat program, and Green Hour, along with practical information on memberships, volunteering, and how families can get involved locally and nationally. The page is written in the Outside editorial voice: warm, exploration-first, and grounded in accurate, actionable information for parents planning family time outdoors.
| Cost | Magazine subscriptions from around $20/year; habitat certification fee around $20; many resources free |
|---|---|
| Region | Nationwide, with state affiliates in most states |
| Season | Year-round |
| Best ages | 4 to 14, with specific programs for each range |
| Effort level | Low to moderate depending on program |
What the National Wildlife Federation does
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation works to protect wildlife and wild places across the United States through conservation policy, habitat restoration, education, and community programs. It operates at a national scale while maintaining a strong presence in local communities through affiliate organizations in most states. For families, NWF is best known for its children's media, its backyard habitat program, and its push to get kids spending more unstructured time outside. The organization's mission connects directly to everyday family life, not just the work of scientists and lobbyists. Whether a family lives on five rural acres or in a city apartment with a balcony, NWF has built programs around the idea that wildlife connection starts close to home.
Ranger Rick and the magazines
NWF publishes three wildlife magazines for children at different reading levels. Ranger Rick Jr. targets children ages 4 to 7 with large photos, simple text, and animal-focused stories. Ranger Rick covers kids roughly 7 and up with longer features, humor, and science content. Ranger Rick Xplor is aimed at adventure-minded kids who want survival tips, wild facts, and hands-on activities. All three arrive in print and are available digitally. A family subscription to any of the Ranger Rick publications also includes a membership in NWF, which provides access to additional resources and connects children to the broader conservation mission. The magazines have been a fixture in American family reading for decades and remain one of the most direct ways to bring wildlife into the house on a regular schedule.
Certified Wildlife Habitat: your yard as a program
The Certified Wildlife Habitat program is one of NWF's most practical family projects. Any outdoor space, a suburban yard, a school garden, a balcony with containers, or a community plot, can be certified if it provides food, water, cover, and places for wildlife to raise young. Families fill out an application documenting what they have planted or installed, pay a modest registration fee, and receive an official certificate and sign. The process teaches children to read a landscape as habitat rather than just scenery. More than 250,000 gardens and green spaces have been certified across the country. Families can use the NWF Native Plant Finder, a free online tool, to identify plants native to their zip code that support local birds, bees, and butterflies before they ever break ground.
Green Hour and outdoor time
NWF's Green Hour initiative is built around a simple goal: one hour of unstructured outdoor time each day for children. The program offers activity guides, seasonal ideas, and resources for parents who want to make outside time a household habit rather than a special occasion. Green Hour activities are designed to require no equipment and no expertise, just a child and some open-ended time in any outdoor space. The organization publishes a Be Out There guide with age-appropriate suggestions for sparking curiosity in kids who are not sure where to start. For families new to outdoor time, Green Hour is an honest, low-pressure entry point.
How a family actually gets involved
Families can engage with NWF at whatever level fits their time and interest. A magazine subscription is the lightest lift and works well for families just getting started. Certifying a backyard habitat is a natural next step and makes a good multi-weekend family project. NWF state affiliate organizations host local events, restoration days, and educational programs throughout the year; finding your state affiliate through NWF's website connects you to regional opportunities. NWF also coordinates volunteer opportunities through programs like Garden for Wildlife, where families can join community planting events. Annual membership at the household level is reasonably priced and supports the broader conservation work while providing member benefits including magazine access.
Who this organization fits best
NWF is a strong fit for families who want structured, meaningful connection to nature without committing to intensive fieldwork or technical skills. The programs reward observation, gardening, and reading as much as hiking or camping. Families with younger children benefit most from the magazine subscriptions and the habitat certification project, both of which scale well for small hands and short attention spans. Older kids and teenagers who are developing a serious interest in ecology, native plants, or conservation policy will find more depth through state affiliates and volunteer programs. NWF works especially well for families in suburban and urban settings who want to build wildlife connection where they already live, not just on vacation.
Walk around your yard, balcony, or a nearby park and list every living thing you spot in fifteen minutes. Which ones do you think live there full-time, and which ones are just passing through?
Frequently asked questions
Is a Ranger Rick subscription the same as an NWF membership?
Yes. A paid subscription to any of the three Ranger Rick magazines includes a National Wildlife Federation membership for the child, which provides access to member resources and supports NWF's conservation programs.
How do we get our backyard certified as a wildlife habitat?
Visit NWF's website and use the Certified Wildlife Habitat application. You document that your space provides food sources, water, cover, and places for wildlife to raise young, then pay a registration fee of around $20. NWF sends a certificate and an optional yard sign. The Native Plant Finder on the NWF site helps you choose plants suited to your zip code before you apply.
Does NWF have local chapters or events we can attend?
NWF works through state affiliate organizations, most of which host local events including habitat restoration days, educational programs, and community garden projects. Search for your state affiliate through the NWF website to find what is active in your area.
What is Green Hour and how do we start?
Green Hour is NWF's initiative encouraging one hour of unstructured outdoor time for children each day. It requires no special equipment. NWF offers free downloadable activity guides on its website with seasonal ideas for backyards, parks, and neighborhoods. Starting simply, with regular outdoor time and open-ended exploration, is the whole point.