NOLS Instructor Molly Absolon reflects on the evolution of environmentalism in the U.S., calling for a renewal of the energy and commitment of the 1970s, the era when NOLS began developing the minimum impact camping techniques that evolved into Leave No Trace ethics.

For the past two decades, former NOLS instructor Nancy Pfeiffer has explored the Patagonian wilderness on horseback. But her recent book, Riding into the Heart of Patagonia, isn’t just about riding solo in the backcountry—it’s about the people she met along the way, and the things she learned from them.

Haley Robison, Kammok CEO and NOLS semester grad, was recently recognized as one of Conscious Company’s Top Business Leaders of 2018. One of the few female CEOs in the outdoor industry, Robison was chosen for her commitment to conscious leadership, cultivation of a positive work environment, and her ability to lead by example.

If you’re camping in warm weather, chances are you'll encounter some mosquitoes. Get a few tips from senior NOLS instructor Marco Johnson on how to deal with these pests.

In the wake of Penn State’s controversial decision to prohibit its student-led outing club from organizing outdoor trips, NOLS Risk Services Manager Katie Baum Mettenbrink weighs in on risk management on student excursions. She suggests that while student leaders are capable of successfully managing risk in the wilderness, they should complete leadership, risk management, and wilderness first aid training before heading out.

Senior NOLS instructor Marco Johnson offers Wall Street Journal readers some tips on how to prepare for camping alone. Solo camping can be a fun and empowering experience, but it’s important to take safety precautions seriously if you’re going to be out in the wilderness by yourself.

Former instructor Abby Warner has led the team at NOLS Teton Valley since 2003. Speaking to the power of a NOLS experience, she says it can be difficult for students to “be so out of their comfort zone…Ultimately, the reward of getting through that kind of challenge helps them get through other challenges in life.”

Senior NOLS Instructor Marco Johnson offers Outside Online’s “Gear Guy” some tips on how to camp responsibly during fire season. From knowing your stove to bringing a ground cover and baking with a twiggy fire, take these steps to safely manage fire hazards in the backcountry this summer.

Since 2004, NOLS and Girls, Inc. have worked together to offer Santa Fe teens an opportunity to participate in outdoor leadership programs. So far, 22 girls have received scholarships to fund NOLS courses of their choice, ranging from backpacking in the Adirondacks to sea kayaking in Alaska.

Andy Elsberg, NOLS grad and former instructor, originally came to Alaska to climb Denali, but taking wilderness medicine courses inspired him to ultimately pursue a medical degree. Today, he works in the emergency department at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, working to combat gun violence, a drug epidemic, and a struggling mental health care system.