The Mather Project

stewarding community with nature

In 2020, we began creating Wilderness Wellness programs in collaboration with the official nonprofit partners of various public lands. Since then, we’ve seen powerful transformations at the intersection of environmental stewardship, mindful movement, and self-discovery.

The Mather Project emerged in response to the challenges some of our partners faced—understaffed, underfunded, and struggling with underperforming programs. They needed comprehensive support in program development, promotion, and delivery.

With over 400 Wilderness Wellness events and programs completed, we’re excited to bring our proven programming framework to your organization.

What’s in it for you?

  • Diversify park visitors, volunteers, and donors

  • Offer innovative programs and campaigns that raise money for the parks

  • Fill valuable volunteer hours to help support understaffed departments

  • Turn-key promotional materials for your website, social media, and traditional outreach efforts

  • Reconnect your employees, corps members, and volunteers to the resources they’re protecting and preserving

Participant Benefits:

  • Reduced stress, increased creativity

  • Finding a community with like-minded people

  • Opportunities to give back to the park (events, education, volunteering)

  • Deep, long-lasting connection to the park, park partner’s mission, and themselves

  • "I will continue to come back to these retreats for grounding and mental clarity. Sydney and Barry not only provide a safe platform to be vulnerable, but they also genuinely care about my journey. They are masters of community building, no matter the group size, and provide the perfect balance of insightful discussions with lessons in mindfulness. Their programs foster a profound reconnection to what it really means to be human and remind us of our duty as stewards to the natural world."

    - Sam Cormode, Sr Tableau Developer, VillageMD, Healthcare

  • "Participating in this program was a very eye-opening and deeply healing experience. As a mother, wife, full-time employee and aspiring small-business entrepreneur, navigating everyday life can be overwhelming without the proper tools and support. This program taught me how to integrate wellness into my daily life and gave me the tools I much needed to manage stress more effectively. I’ve never felt more empowered to take care of my mental, emotional and physical health."

    - Michelle Lee Farias, Title IX Student Services Manager - Laredo, TX

The Mather Project: Reconnecting with Nature through Stewardship and Personal Growth

In the realm of public lands management, where the mission is to protect and preserve our natural resources, the well-being of the employees, corps members, and volunteers is often overlooked. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to maintain the beauty and accessibility of our public lands, but the demands of the job can lead to burnout, disengagement, and a disconnection from the very resources they strive to protect. The Mather Project addresses this gap by offering a unique approach that combines environmental stewardship, mindful movement, and personal growth to help public lands agencies and their supporting nonprofits reconnect their teams with nature, all while developing new revenue streams through enhanced collaboration.

The Importance of Reconnecting with the Resource

Public lands agencies and nonprofits are built on a foundation of deep respect and care for the environment. However, the everyday pressures of managing these lands—whether it’s handling visitor needs, maintaining trails, or managing conservation efforts—can distance employees from their original passion for the outdoors. The Mather Project aims to restore this connection, helping employees rediscover the joy and purpose that brought them to this field.

Environmental stewardship is at the heart of our programs. We create opportunities for teams to engage directly with the land through hands-on projects that improve the health of the environment and reinforce the connection between the employees and the natural world they serve. This renewed sense of stewardship leads to more motivated and dedicated teams.

Integrating Mindful Movement for Well-Being

The physical and emotional demands of working in public lands can take a toll on employees. That’s why The Mather Project incorporates mindful movement into our offerings. These activities are designed to promote physical wellness and mental clarity. Mindful movement helps employees reduce stress, improve focus, and cultivate a greater sense of well-being—all essential for maintaining a high level of performance in their roles.

Our proven framework supports individual health and fosters a team environment where collaboration and support are natural outcomes. As employees engage in these shared experiences, they build stronger bonds with each other, leading to more effective and harmonious teams.

Personal Growth and New Revenue Streams

Public lands agencies and nonprofits often operate under tight budgets, making it challenging to offer programs that foster personal growth and team development. The Mather Project addresses this by offering programs that are not just beneficial but also financially sustainable. By participating in our initiatives, organizations can develop new revenue streams through partnerships, grant opportunities, and community engagement projects.

Our focus on personal growth helps employees develop new skills, gain confidence, and find renewed purpose in their work. This personal development is crucial for creating a resilient workforce that can adapt to the changing demands of public lands management. Moreover, as employees grow and evolve, they bring new ideas and energy to their organizations, driving innovation and enhancing the agency’s overall impact.

Why Choose Us?

The Mather Project offers a holistic approach to employee wellness and team development that aligns with the mission of public lands agencies and nonprofits. By integrating environmental stewardship, mindful movement, and personal growth, we help organizations reconnect their teams with the land, foster a collaborative work environment, and create sustainable financial opportunities.

Choosing us means investing in the future of your organization and the well-being of your employees. It means creating a workplace where the passion for protecting public lands is reignited, where teams work together more effectively, and where the benefits of these programs extend beyond the office and into the communities you serve.

Take Action Today

Is your organization ready to reconnect with its mission and enhance its impact? Click the big button below to contact us and learn more about our innovative programs designed specifically for public lands agencies and their supporting nonprofits. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected, and more sustainable future for both your team and the lands you protect.

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