Conservation

Washington – October 15, 2026 -- The National Park Foundation (NPF) has awarded more than $1 million in grants to support over 20 projects that bring immersive science learning to middle and high school students in national parks across the U.S.

The grants fund NPF's Field Science program for the 2026-27 school year. Projects combine classroom-aligned engagements, extended in-park experiences, out-of-school-time programs and community involvement. NPF developed them with parks, local schools, community centers and science education programs.

Lisle – October 14, 2026 -- ArbNet, the accreditation program run by The Morton Arboretum, has reached 1,000 accredited arboreta after adding Kórnik Arboretum in Kórnik, Poland, and the network has doubled in the last five years alone.

Kórnik is the first ArbNet-accredited arboretum in Poland. ArbNet recognized it at level IV, the highest tier, at the Oct. 12 "Trees and Forests in a Changing Environment" conference. The Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, which oversees the arboretum, hosted the event. The program is now in its 15th year and describes itself as the only international accreditation scheme specific to arboreta.

Poland becomes one of 44 countries with an ArbNet-accredited arboretum

Newly welcomed countries this year include Bermuda, Denmark, Ecuador, Indonesia and Madagascar. Cayo Levantado Arboretum in Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic, was also recently accredited.

San Antonio – October 05, 2026 -- Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation (OTF) has added more than 800 schools and 60 school districts to its Outdoor Adventures (OA) program since January 1, 2026, the largest eight-month expansion in the nonprofit's history. The growth lifted OTF's reach from 210,000 students at the start of 2026 to approximately 270,000 students across all 50 states and Canada. OTF plans to push the total past 2,800 participating schools by December 31, 2026.

A $600,000 grant from Safari Club International Foundation funds the largest single-year school rollout

Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) and SCIF Sables issued a $600,000 grant -- OTF's largest single donation to date -- enabling the organization to onboard roughly 800 schools in 2026. New adoptions include districts in New York, NY, Charlotte, NC, Jacksonville, FL, and additional sites across Texas and California.

Birmingham, Ala. – September 16, 2026 -- Tom Beckbe, the Birmingham-based outdoor apparel maker, has secured a minority investment from Cox Outdoors, the newest division of Cox Enterprises.

Cox Enterprises Backs Family-Run Outdoor Brand

Cox Outdoors was created to partner with leading outdoor consumer brands, targeting conservation initiatives and long-term generational growth rather than short-term returns. Alex Taylor, chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises, said the partnership reflects shared family values and a conservation ethic between the two companies.

Founders Retain Control, Team and Operations

Tom Beckbe was founded in 2015 by Radcliff and Mary Menge and will continue to be independently run by its founders with the same team and values. Radcliff Menge, co-founder, said the Cox partnership will allow the company to deepen its focus on product quality, customer service and conservation support.