About one in four of the 18 million veterans living in the United States today say the transition back to civilian life is difficult. However, studies show that spending time in nature can help retired service members feel better and move forward.

To help connect veterans with the physical and mental health benefits of getting outside, NEEF and the US Forest Service partnered to fund 10 grants of up to $10,000 each during 2024-2025. The Veterans and Nature Grant Program awardees represent a varied group of nonprofit organizations located across the country that are working to improve the lives of veterans through job training, nature-based therapy, and environmental education. 

Key outcomes for this grant include:

• Increased sense of physical and mental well-being.
• Increased intent to return to the public lands site.
• Increased knowledge of veterans in understanding the physical and mental health benefits of time in nature.
• Increased confidence of veterans in accessing public lands.
• Increased sense of connection of veterans with other members of the community.

Learn more about a few of this year’s grant award winners below, along with resources to support veterans in your community. 

Visit the CDC’s website if you or a loved one need access to free and confidential mental health resources.

Military Mobility (Cody, Wyoming)

Founded in 2017, Military Mobility is working to reduce the suicide rate among veterans by building camaraderie and trust through off-road expeditions and resiliency training. 

The commitment to service doesn’t have to stop after veterans’ military careers end. However, veterans can lose their identity and sense of purpose after they return home. Many veterans crave and miss the team environment that the military provides. Military Mobility assists veterans in a process of self-rediscovery. During each 12+ hour day, veterans put their team building skills into action by navigating obstacles together across a rugged Wyoming landscape with off-road 4x4 vehicles. 

Participants are also working with Forest Service staff on stewardship projects in nearby Bighorn National Forest, including trail condition and wildlife management area assessments, trail maintenance, and improving trail access for people with mobility challenges. Military Mobility works to help veterans feel confident in safely accessing public lands by sharing best practices and partnering with various outdoors groups to provide free maps and other resources for veterans.

The results are clear—so far, all veterans who have participated in Military Mobility’s excursions have reported a decrease in depression, a decrease in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and an increase in family dynamics following the course.

This Is My Quest (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)

Wilderness Warriors is a transformative project by This Is My Quest, designed to harness the restorative power of nature to benefit veterans who are facing challenges in transitioning back to civilian life. They aim to serve at least 150 veterans from diverse backgrounds and conduct more than 40 nature-based therapy sessions over the course of a year.

This Is My Quest will host a Wilderness Warriors Camp in May 2025 in Pennsylvania to bring together a group of 30 veterans looking for healing, connection, and outdoor adventure.  Participants will enjoy three days of camping and outdoor recreation, wellness workshops, survival skill training, and environmental education. Equally important, the group will enjoy a safe, supportive space for personal growth during evening campfire conversations with fellow veterans.

This Is My Quest prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility for all.
Peer support and group reflection time offers veterans a platform to share their personal stories. The motto of this supportive community is: "You Are Never Alone."

Veterans One-Stop Center (Buffalo, New York)

The Veterans One-Stop Center is providing barrier-free access to social and health services that support veterans and their families, all in one convenient location. An estimated 174,000 veterans currently live in western New York. A coalition of independent service providers led by the Western New York Veterans Housing Coalition and Goodwill of Western New York joined forces to address the needs of the local veteran community and opened the Veterans One-Stop Center in 2013.

Funding from the Veterans and Nature Grant Program sponsored a weekend retreat co-hosted with the Forest Service in nearby Hector, New York, in September 2024. During the trip, 25 local veterans had the opportunity to participate in guided outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, and fishing. Peer-to-peer support was also encouraged, including group sharing times. 

The Veterans One-Stop Center reported better-than-expected turnout and interest among veterans. The participants were surveyed before and after the retreat. They reported a desire to explore more public lands and learn more about the natural features they saw during the trip, such as New York’s beautiful waterfalls and gorges. 

Learn More About Connecting Veterans with Nature on Public Lands

Are you a veteran, or do you know a veteran who could benefit from learning more about outdoor opportunities? Here are some additional resources to help connect veterans with nature.

• National Park Service Military Annual Pass: Active military, Gold Star Families, and US military veterans are eligible to receive the Annual Military Pass, which provides free lifetime access to federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests.
• Federal Jobs for Veterans: Learn about special programs for hiring veterans at federal agencies. As a veteran, you may be uniquely qualified for certain roles within the federal government.
• “Fostering Collaboration to Connect Veterans with Nature for Health: Effective Approaches” Webinar: NEEF and the US Forest Service hosted this virtual roundtable discussion for creating meaningful outdoor experiences that support the health and well-being of veterans.