LifeOutdoors began in 1990 from a single TREE branch which gave students global experiences and a voice for making a difference locally. TREE Branches continue to take root with a strong Conservation Connection Foundation.

Our Programs

TREE (1990)

TREE is an extracurricular outdoor/ecology network of (K-College) branches (clubs) that helps students appreciate and improve local and global (social & ecological) communities through research, educational outreach, restoration, advocacy, and recreation. Students collaborate within and between branches and with community leaders who are studying & rewilding ecosystems. Students can stay within the TREE program as they progress from preschool through college, serving as mentors for younger and older students.

TREE stands for Teens Restoring Earth’s Environments or Teens (Teachers, Tweens & Tots) Reconnecting to Earth Experiences.

Outside Day (2009)

Earth Day began in 1970 to address environmental issues but 50 years later, these problems still exist and we’ve become significantly more disconnected from nature. In 2009, Outside Day was created to help us take a break from our screens and make time for streams, forests, parks, etc., playing & finding ourselves outdoors, overcoming nature deficit disorder. There are countless ways to make every day an Outside Day, but TREE uses these special days so older students and community leaders can facilitate a variety of play-based and place-based activities that inspire elementary students to learn more and do more.

My Life Outdoors (2024)

LifeOutdoors, Outdoor Idaho & IDPR are sponsoring a Teen Multimedia Essay Contest for all teenagers in Idaho to share their favorite outdoor experiences through a 500-word written essay and picture or a 3-minute video. Thereby, showcasing why they love being outside, inspiring countless others to get outside themselves. The grand prize winner will receive an incredible Stanley Adventure package for their parent(s) and a sibling or friend.

For more info—> (1) Press Release (2) Website.

Boise River Biodiversity Project (2022)

TREE students work with one another and adult professionals to understand water quality and biodiversity in the Boise River and how to improve them. Teams of elementary students research different species, completing Species Cards, drawings, and PSA videos. Junior high students analyze water quality and high school students give talks on biodiversity and watersheds, help make informational videos, attend Outside Days, and participate in BioBlitzes.

BRBP began on the Boise River in 2022, but in 2024 is taking the program into the Wood River and Payette River watersheds and their respective communities.

Finding Dragons (2021)

Since scientific research is the foundation for understanding life and best practices, we get students involved in field & laboratory work, making observations & doing cutting-edge analyses with senior scientists who focus on dragonflies & damselflies primarily because odonates are accessible, charismatic, and are excellent bioindicators of water quality, heavy metals, and healthy habitats. These GateWay Bugs have been here for over 300 million years, but human impacts threaten many species’ future. Check out how TREE students have co-authored papers and our research wing of LifeOutdoors called FindingDragons.

Externships & Internships (2022)

The Conservation Connection Foundation knows that students and teachers are an incredible, often untapped resource. Teachers have the expertise and experience but want hands-on opportunities to create engaging, place-based curriculum that incorporates technologies that help younger students and the general public to better visualize our odonate research and become more aware of our local river ecosystem and ways to protect it. Many teachers also need additional financial assistance during the summer which is why we have partnered up with the Idaho STEM Action Center to secure two teacher externs in 2024. Students need money for higher education and they also need experience for their applications and to help figure out their career pathway.