Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Giving Tuesday: The 15 Top Outdoor Organizations To Support Now

The flurry of Thanksgiving and e-commerce bonanzas like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, but let’s not lose sight of what this season is really about. It’s a time to be thankful, even amid the chaos. It’s a time to offer help if we can, especially to worthy causes and organizations, especially today, on Giving Tuesday, a “global generosity movement” that encourages people to donate their time or resources to a cause they’re passionate about. We want to you to think about something that’s easy to overlook and arguably more valuable than ever: The outdoors.

Related Guides

Related Videos
Susanne Pommer/Shutterstock

We are fortunate to live in a country with tremendous natural areas; untouched wildernesses that feed the soul and remind that we’re part of a massive larger ecosystem. Amid growing populations and commercial interests, these special places are increasingly under threat. And, tough as Mother Nature is, these places often can’t defend themselves from human destruction.

It’s always advisable to start local, so seek out your own area organizations first and foremost. Then, consider the following national organizations working to preserve the treasured lands you love to explore.

Natural Resources Defense Council

The NRDC had long championed natural environments and equal access to them for all. It’s a busy organization, carrying out research, litigation, advocacy, and more in the name of our lands and oceans.

Sierra Club

Sierra Club
YegoroV/Shutterstock

This environmental organization has chapters in all 50 states, launched back in 1892 by John Muir. Its especially active these days in dealing with pressing threats like climate change and the use of fossil fuels.

The National Audubon Society

Billions of birds call our nation home, often in stunning locales we too like to recreate in. Help protect our feathered friends and their endangered habitats by considering the good work of the National Audubon Society.

National Parks Conversation Association

National Parks Conversation Association
National Parks Conversation Association

Anybody who’s set foot in Yellowstone or the Everglades knows the magic of our National Park system. Help keep it alive and well by donating to and following the ongoing efforts of the National Parks Conversation Association. Your kids will thank you.

Center for Biological Diversity

This organization kickstarted in 1989 and has since become one of the best resources for looking after the well-being of endangered critters. The non-prof is based in Arizona but covers the entire country, logging long days on behalf of more than 400 enchanting and threatened animals, from spotted owls to Atlantic salmon.

Earth Justice

This outfit is basically a legal representative of planet Earth, with more than 150 lawyers fighting on its behalf. It got its start in 1971 and has since secured important victories for lands and waterways all over.

Indigenous Environmental Network

Indigenous Environmental Network
Indigenous Environmental Network

Let’s not forget that this land belonged to other communities well before it belonged to its more recent interlopers. IEN works to represent the interests of indigenous peoples, especially where land use and protection is concerned.

Hike it Baby

Like outdoor school for the littlest ones, Hike it Baby nudges young families outside to play on trails all over the country. Not only does the organization push to expose young kids to the outdoors, it also priorities diversity, equity, and inclusion within these places.

Environmental Defense Fund

The EDF as been at it since 1967, using a dynamic mix of economics, science, and health to gauge and conserve important elements of the outdoors. One of its many merits is its focus on data and research and a general perspective that sees how just about everything is connected in some way to nature.

American Rivers

American Rivers
America’s Rivers

Responsible for the fantastic Wild Scenic Rivers campaign, American Rivers champions our favorite and most appealing waterways. Not only does the outfit defend healthy watersheds (the lifeblood of any good ecosystem), it looks to repair damaged ones.

Alliance for the Wild Rockies

One of few regional organizations on the list, the Alliance for the Wild Rockies looks after the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48. As such, it’s an important mission that preserves not only some of the nation’s most dramatic peaks and valleys, but vital inhabitants like the grizzly bear, gray wolf, and bison.

National Park Foundation

National Park Foundation
National Park Foundation

The National Parks are too important for just one protector. This foundation is the official charitable partner of the NPS and strives to safeguard the nation’s many wonderful, federally recognized treasures.

Public Land Water Access Association

The other more-focused organization on the list, PLWA is devoted to one of the largest and most beautiful states in the country in Montana. It works to maintain and restore public access to the many lands you love to play in, whether it’s fly-fishing a creek or camping on a bluff.

Oceanic Preservation Society

Let’s not forget about the vast seas which cover the majority of the planet. This California-based team combats international threats to our oceans through alliances with groups from all over and powerful educational films.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

This national troop keeps a watchful eye over natural areas two parties — hunters and anglers — cherish and know particularly well. The group focuses particularly on improved and lasting access to these beloved spots as well as stewardship.

Editors' Recommendations

Why 2022 Is Finally the Year for Eco-Conscious Outdoor Adventure Gear
2021 Will Be the Year for Eco-Conscious Outdoor Adventure Gear

Despite what the conspiracy theorists would have you believe, we’ve been facing a climate change crisis for some time now. Green-savvy companies in almost every industry are working to clean up their manufacturing processes as much as possible. But outdoor stores and brands, more than any other, have been at the forefront of the movement. They’re leaning into clever, often plant-based materials and processes to minimize greenhouse gas production, cut waste, and create better overall products to boot. This year, however, is shaping up to be the year when you can finally expect a sea change in how the newest gear in your closet could be made. Here are the eco-conscious trends we’re excited about right now.

Related Guides

Read more
A Quick Overview of the Sustainable Adidas Outdoor and Five Ten Line Essentials
hiking sunrise silhouette

Adidas Outdoor and Five Ten lines feature outdoor-ready footwear and apparel with next-gen technologies, providing not only comfort and functionality in the wilderness but also protecting those wild sanctuaries through sustainable production practices.

Sports footwear and apparel brands have established themselves as reliable sources for outdoor recreation and fitness gear, and it makes sense. If you’re an avid hiker, trail runner, or mountain biker, then you already know the importance of bridging the gap between comfort and performance. Adidas has been upping its game with footwear and apparel that work with you as you explore the world.

Read more
Colorado Is Now Home to the Newest International Dark Sky Park
great sand dunes national park dark sky

Thanks to urban sprawl, many Americans have never truly seen the night sky. Light pollution has made it harder now than ever before to see the heavens the way our ancestors did. The International Dark-Sky Association (IDSA) is working to combat the problem by encouraging the development and sustainability of official dark sky parks around the world. This month, Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve became the latest to receive an official Dark Sky Park designation.

The unique geography and topography of Great Sand Dunes National Park have long made it a huge draw for astronomy- and outdoor-loving travelers. Most notable is the Sangre de Cristo Mountains which help buffer it from the urban glow of Colorado’s largest cities to the northeast. In a statement earlier this month, park superintendent Pamela Rice said, “It’s no surprise that Great Sand Dunes has been building a reputation for good night sky viewing. The dry air, high elevation, and lack of light pollution all make the park an ideal dark-sky destination. We are thrilled with receiving this recognition as an International Dark Sky Park.”

Read more