Looking for one powerful—and abundant—lever for improving health, education, economic opportunity, climate resilience, and community wellbeing across the Northeast? Look to nature.

Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers increasingly recognize nature as a powerful catalyst for change. But realizing that potential requires investment in the people, networks, policies, and community infrastructure that make meaningful connections to nature possible.

What does that ecosystem look like in the Northeast and where can philanthropy make the greatest difference?

Join Blue Sky Funders Forum, Trust for Public Land, NAAEE affiliates, and regional partners for a 90-minute virtual funder gathering exploring the state of nature connection, outdoor access, and environmental education across the Northeast.

We’ll combine Blue Sky’s regional grantmaking data with perspectives from funders and movement leaders to explore what’s changing on the ground, where gaps remain, and where greater philanthropic coordination could strengthen the region.

Together, we’ll explore:

• Where is philanthropy investing and where are the gaps?
• What are movement leaders seeing that the data doesn’t tell us?
• How are policy shifts affecting nature access and environmental education?
• Where could greater funder coordination strengthen the regional ecosystem?
• What partnerships and investments could philanthropy help accelerate?

Participants will leave with a clearer picture of the Northeast funding and movement landscape, new connections, and opportunities for greater regional collaboration.

Featured Regional Perspectives

• Blue Sky Funders Forum: Regional philanthropic investment and Tracking the Field data
• Maine Environmental Education Association: Environmental education trends, priorities, and opportunities
• Trust for Public Land: Parks, public lands, policy, community wellbeing, and climate resilience
• Funders + Movement Leaders: Perspectives from the field and opportunities for philanthropic action

Additional speakers to be announced.

Who Should Attend?

Funders investing in—or curious about—nature connection, outdoor access, environmental education, youth development, health, climate resilience, environmental justice, and related work across the Northeast.

This gathering is open to funders only.