The North Face Launches “Power of Nature” Global Impact Platform to Help the Next Generation Explore the Outdoors

To launch the initiative, The North Face and The VF Foundation are committing $1 million to the National Park Foundation to help expand access to parks for youth across the U.S.

The North Face announces the launch of Power of Nature, a new global impact platform dedicated to reconnecting the next generation with the outdoors. In the U.S., the initiative launches with a $1 million investment in the National Park Foundation, in partnership with The VF Foundation, to support youth in exploring national parks and enriching outdoor education experiences.

The North Face's Power of Nature platform addresses a growing crisis: today's children are spending less time outdoors than ever before. With the average American child engaging in just seven minutes of unstructured outdoor play daily-and 1 in 10 globally not playing outside at all-the consequences are profound: increased anxiety, decreased physical and mental health, and disconnection from nature. This global initiative aims to address the growing nature gap and its devastating impact on youth globally by transforming the next generation from anxious to adventurous.

"With Power of Nature, we're not just inspiring the next generation to get outside-we're helping them build lifelong connections to the natural world," said Caroline Brown, Global Brand President of The North Face. "In partnership with the National Park Foundation and The VF Foundation, we're investing to make it possible for hundreds of thousands of kids to experience the wonder of our national parks, many for the very first time."

As the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation works to protect and preserve over 430 national parks across the country. The collective impact from commitments including The North Face and VF Foundation's aims to help enable over 300,000 youth to engage in national park programming during the 2025-2026 school year. This includes classroom activities, virtual and in-person field trips, and first-time experiences in public lands for students within communities who've historically lacked access.

"Nature should be a right, not a privilege, and too many young people do not have access to the outdoors," said Gloria Schoch, Executive Director of The VF Foundation. "By working with the National Park Foundation, we're making sure more kids across the country experience the confidence, creativity, and curiosity that nature ignites."

"First experiences in nature can spark a lifelong love for the outdoors and inspire the next generation to care and protect our national parks," said Jeff Reinbold, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation. "We're proud to partner with The North Face and VF Foundation's commitment to inspire young people to explore and discover the wonder of our national parks."

The North Face's new platform builds upon its 60-year legacy of championing and protecting public lands and nature's wild places around the world. In 1989, the brand co-founded The Conservation Alliance and remains a Pinnacle Member of the organization. In 2010, it launched the Explore Fund, a decade-plus long initiative investing in community-led outdoor organizations.

The launch of Power of Nature coincides with National Public Lands Day and marks the beginning of a long-term commitment from The North Face to leverage its brand and resources to get our youngest explorers back outdoors. In the coming months, The North Face will engage its network of athlete ambassadors to support the initiative, activate Power of Nature in-store and through global experiences like Climb Festival, and expand the platform internationally through collaborations with local partners.

To learn more, visit thenorthface.com/powerofnature or follow @thenorthface on social media.