This webinar unites veteran-serving organizations that will share practical ways to connect veterans with nature to support their health and well-being. Panelists will discuss how to build strong partnerships, overcome challenges, and create meaningful outdoor experiences using real-world examples.
What You’ll Learn:
- Tips for partnering with others to create or expand nature-based programs.
- Ways to reach veterans, understand their interests, and plan activities they enjoy.
- Success stories showing what works and how to measure impact.
- Helpful resources and plenty of time for Q&A and discussion.
Watch the Recording
Speakers
Brian Barber Sr.
Founder & President, Mission FISH
Brian Barber Sr. is a proud husband, father of seven, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. After serving from 1995 to 2004, he faced the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, battling PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The loss of his brother and grandmother deepened his struggles until a simple fishing trip reignited his sense of balance and healing.
Recognizing the therapeutic power of fishing, Brian founded Mission FISH (Fishing, Interacting, Sharing, Healing) in 2019. The organization provides no-cost fishing trips to Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members, First Responders, and Gold Star Families, creating a space for camaraderie and emotional healing.
To date, Mission FISH has served over 3,500 participants, offering recreational therapy to those who have sacrificed for their communities and country. Brian remains committed to supporting his fellow brothers and sisters in arms, striving to reduce the veteran suicide rate to zero.
Rose Anna Moore
Founder, This Is My Quest (TIMQ) | Conservationist & Outdoor Educator
Rose Anna Moore is a passionate conservationist and outdoor educator based in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. She is the founder of This Is My Quest (TIMQ), a nonprofit dedicated to conservation education and outdoor experiences for youth and veterans. Through TIMQ’s Veterans in the Wild program, she provides nature-based therapy, including hiking, fishing, and survival skills, to support veterans’ transition to civilian life.
In 2021, Rose Anna gained national recognition as a participant in Alone (Season 8) on the History Channel, where she demonstrated her self-taught survival skills in the wilderness of British Columbia.
Beyond TIMQ, she serves as the S3DA Pennsylvania Conservation Coordinator, sits on the board of Hunters Sharing The Harvest, and runs a training center in Wellsboro. She is especially dedicated to educating youth—particularly young girls—about conservation and the hunting culture, fostering the next generation of environmental stewards.
Her work has earned recognition through grants and partnerships, including support from the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) for the Wilderness Warriors project, which promotes veteran well-being through outdoor experiences.
Through her leadership and dedication, Rose Anna Moore continues to connect people with the healing power of nature.
Rick Ammerman
Peer Support Specialist, Veterans One-stop Center
Rick Ammerman is a Peer Support Specialist with the Veterans One-stop Center and is a Certified Peer Specialist with New York State. He has been with VOSC for over three years and recently was our interim Director of Veteran Engagement where he oversaw our entire Peer-to-Peer program. He is certified in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, Mental Health First Aid, and the VA’s S.A.V.E. (i.e., Suicide Awareness) program. A Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Rick has managed many of VOSC's outdoor activities including sailing, snow skiing at Lake Placid, and numerous hikes through challenging terrain.