Lornett Vestal

Countless working people have been recognized as “essential,” including the grocery store and warehouse workers and the millions working to keep the supply chain operating smoothly during this crisis. It is easy to think of these individual workers and health care providers as heroes. But in reality, they are just people doing their jobs in the most extreme of circumstances, and for many, it’s causing almost unbearable stress and trauma.

How one US Navy veteran found nature while serving in Kuwait—and harnessed it to heal himself afterward

The faces of several teens were beaming with accomplishment. The pride made sense. They had just hiked 10 miles up the side of a mountain.

Sierra Club Military Outdoors has undergone many evolutions, leading to this point where we are utilizing our most incredible resource, the Sierra Club chapters.

Thanks to the hard work of the Sierra Club chapters, volunteers, staff, and participants nationwide, we have expanded and Military Outdoors has become an integral part of 12 local communities. In 2024, Sierra Club Military Outdoors directly and positively affected 5,000 veterans, service members, and military families.

Our nation's veterans and service members are directly connected to the nation's public lands. It’s a legacy tied to the Buffalo Soldiers’ struggle for inclusivity over a century ago. 

This is what’s at stake as the Trump administration tries to erase the histories of service members

The Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program welcomes every veteran to our outings — no matter their background. Across the country, BIPOC, LGBTQ, women, and younger veterans are leading and hosting outings that center the healing power of nature. Civilian leaders, veterans, and military families alike are helping connect people to the outdoors and to one another. We remain deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion — and to making sure every veteran can experience the benefits of spending time outdoors.

Every year on November 11, the United States celebrates Veterans Day, a day that honors the people who are currently, or have served, in the United States Armed Forces. Our servicemembers reflect every aspect of what makes America one of the most diverse and multicultural societies in the world. But the realities of war leave scars on the countries we’ve fought and on those who’ve fought in our wars.

The Sierra Club Military Outdoors program hosted a horseback riding and outdoor recreation event for more than 45 veterans, service members, and their families at FDR State Park in April 2026, partnering with The Vet Space, Higher Ground, and the PenFed Foundation to provide an inclusive experience, including adaptive accommodations for disabled veterans. The article uses the event to highlight the mental health challenges facing veterans and military families, emphasizing research showing elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide, while arguing that nature-based programs and community connections can play an important role in supporting wellness and recovery.