National Parks & Trails
Wildlife
Earth Science
Sustainable Living
Responsible Recreation
100
This long-distance trail stretches from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine. Hikers can enjoy (or resent) views of New York City as the trail passes through nearby Harriman State Park.
What is the Appalachian Trail?
100
Once found across most of the western U.S. and even into Mexico, this bear species is now primarily found in Alaska, western Canada, and parts of the northern Rockies.
What is a grizzly bear?
100
This thin outer layer of Earth contains the continents and ocean basins. It also is a key feature of the native "New York Slice".
What is the crust?
100
Swapping out single-use water bottles for this item can help keep thousands of plastic bottles out of landfills — and makes you look like a hydration pro.
What is a reusable water bottle?
100
From trail conditions to fire restrictions, these public land stewards are a trusted source of information and guidance for responsible outdoor recreation.
Who is a park ranger?
200
This desert national park in Southern California shares its name with a 1987 U2 album and is known for surreal rock formations, stargazing, and iconic spiky “trees” that aren’t technically trees.
What is Joshua Tree National Park?
200
This Eurasian eagle-owl became a New York icon after escaping from the Central Park Zoo in 2023, surviving in the wild until early 2024.
Who is Flaco?
200
These giant, shifting slabs of Earth’s crust float on the mantle and are responsible for earthquakes, volcanoes, and making geography teachers very excited.
What are tectonic plates?
200
In cities with bike lanes and greenways, this eco-friendly ride is often the fastest way to work — and the only commute that doubles as cardio.
What is a bike?
200
The golden rule of outdoor ethics is to leave a place as you found it — or better. This three-word phrase sums it up.
What is Leave No Trace?
300
In the UK, this national park in northern England is famous for its lakes, mountains, and the poetry it inspired.
What is the Lake District National Park?
300
This bird of prey can hit speeds of up to 80 mph during a hunting dive, plunging talons-first into water to snag fish. You might also find its name dotted along the aisles of Soho's most iconic store (REI).
What is an Osprey?
300
These fast-moving, high-altitude air currents influence weather patterns and are basically the Earth’s atmospheric express lanes.
What are jet streams?
300
These bulbs, which use significantly less energy than incandescent ones, are a bright idea for cutting your electricity bill.
What are LED bulbs?
300
When camping in bear country, you should use one of these to store your food - unless you want some furry company!
What is a bear canister or bear hang?
400
California's John Muir Trail runs through 3 national parks in the High Sierra range - Yosemite, Sequoia, and...
What is Kings Canyon National Park?
400
This animal uses echolocation to hunt at night but can actually jam the sonar of rival predators by making ultrasonic “clicks.”
What is a tiger moth?
400
This phenomenon occurs when warm ocean water in the Pacific disrupts global weather — and it’s not a fancy party drink.
What is El Niño?
400
This popular kitchen device helps reduce methane emissions from food waste by turning scraps into nutrient-rich soil.
What is a compost bin (or composter)?
400
This official document is often required to access popular trails, camp in backcountry areas, or summit iconic peaks — and forgetting it could get you a fine or a very long drive home.
What is a permit?
500
Completing the Triple Crown of Hiking requires thru-hiking the AT, PCT, and this 3,100-mile beast running along the spine of the Rockies.
What is the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)?
500
Often mistaken for rodents, these small, alpine-dwelling mammals are known for their high-pitched calls and are sensitive to climate change. They can adjust their body temperature by changing between “puff” and “lounge” postures. Your host may or may not have been frightened by one that came very close to his face just outside his tent one night...
What are pikas?
500
This scale, replaced by the Moment Magnitude Scale, was once used to measure earthquake strength — and definitely made California kids nervous in science class.
What is the Richter scale?
500
This home certification program promotes energy efficiency, sustainable building materials, and reduced water usage — and has nothing to do with leafy greens.
What is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)?
500
In fragile desert and alpine ecosystems, disturbing ground cover to build these structures can damage cryptobiotic soil and mislead others off designated trails.
What are cairns?