Nature's Courage Project Donate

Grow · Heal · Connect

Courage grows outside.

Nature and community-based experiences and animal-assisted therapy for toddlers to adults, with and without special needs or mental health challenges.

Serving Reno, Nevada and the SF Bay Area

Support our work See our programs
A young boy gently brushing a fluffy calf while other children look on NATURE'S COURAGE PROJECT GROW · HEAL · CONNECT

Our purpose

A place in nature for everyone.

Nature's Courage Project is a nonprofit dedicated to providing nature and community-based experiences for toddlers to adults with and without special needs and/or mental health challenges. We foster personal growth, healing, and connection through animal-assisted therapy and outdoor activities. Our goal is to create opportunities for people to develop emotional, mental, and physical well-being in natural settings.

  • Toddlers
  • Children
  • Adults
  • People with special needs
  • People facing mental health challenges
  • Families

Our programs

Three programs, toddlers to young adults

  • Parents & little ones

    Toddler playgroups

    Playgroups that foster connection for parents and their children in their own communities.

  • Social & play groups

    Children 3–12

    Social and play groups with community-based experiences for children with and without an autism diagnosis.

  • Experiences & networking

    Young adults 18–25

    Experiences and networking with peers who share common interests.

How we help

Three ways we help people find their courage

A little girl meeting a curly-fleeced sheep through a fence
meet the animals

Animal-assisted therapy

Gentle, guided time with animals that builds calm, trust, and connection, at each person's own pace.

Two young people walking hand in hand through a sunlit pine forest
get outside

Outdoor activities

Get outside and into your community to connect with peers and other families, with walks and hands-on time in nature adapted for all abilities.

A smiling woman in a straw hat sitting on a mat with highland cattle and sheep grazing behind her
grow and heal

Well-being in nature

Support for emotional, mental, and physical well-being, for people with or without special needs.

Where we serve

Serving Reno, Nevada and the SF Bay Area

We bring nature and community-based experiences to toddlers, children, and adults in two regions.

Nevada

Reno, Nevada

Our home base, close to the open spaces of the Sierra Nevada.

California

SF Bay Area

Bringing people outdoors across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Why nature

Time outdoors is good for body and mind. The research agrees.

120 mina week spent in nature is linked to better health and well-being in adults.White et al., Scientific Reports, 2019
55%higher risk of later mental health challenges for children who grow up with the least green space.Engemann et al., PNAS, 2019
43%drop in stress arousal (measured by skin conductance) for children with autism when they played with animals instead of toys, a sign of calmer sensory regulation.O'Haire et al., Developmental Psychobiology, 2015

Get involved

Help someone find their courage outside.

Your gift supports animal care, outdoor programs, and access for people who need it most. Give today by Zelle or Bitcoin using the codes below, or contact us to give another way.

Tax ID (EIN) 33-2528638

Gifts start at $100

  • $100Gives one child a nature and animal experience.
  • $500Brings a small group outdoors for a shared experience.
  • $1,000Gives a whole classroom a day with nature and animals.
  • $5,000Sponsors a cow, covering its food and housing.
  • $10,000Funds an experience for up to 20 people.

Volunteer

Help on the trail, with the animals, or at events.

Partner with us

Schools, clinics, and community groups: let's bring people outdoors together.

Give by Zelle

Scan with your banking app, or send a Zelle payment to our email. No fees. naturescourageproject@gmail.com

Give Bitcoin

Scan with your wallet app, or copy our address. Send Bitcoin (BTC) only. bc1qnfs3lk38lm46l585llzzs5zu6vphlp7qjxtcuqdfhafrm9p4exuqgr36pp

Contact

Come outside with us.

Email
naturescourageproject@gmail.com
Mail
93 Bell Street, Reno, NV 89503
Serving
Reno, Nevada · SF Bay Area