Teaching Environmentalism Through Love, Not Fear

by Fayeruz Regan 04.2026

When I was young, caring for the environment was more of a celebratory affair. There were Earth Day concerts headlined by the B-52s. Simply recycling earned us a pat on the back. Fast forward to 2026 and we're sipping on soggy paper straws to “save the earth” while world leaders bomb oil tankers, turning the seas and skies black.

Being a parent adds a layer to everything. I've noticed that my son's generation – Generation Alpha – is mostly witness to the doom and gloom aspect of it. Short form videos blare ominous music as they flash through footage of landfills, oil spills and mountains of fast fashion dry rotting in a Chilean desert. I don't want future generations to protect our planet out of fear-based obligation. Ideally, our offspring will care for the earth out of wonder and reverence.

So instead of lectures and scary warnings, why not expose them to unforgettable experiences in the natural world? Show them a planet worth fighting for. Ignite their passion by making memories. Is there any better way?

As parents, we are already saddled with fears about screen addiction, and the mental health struggles they come with. We've seen the hunched, moon-faced kids staring into screens at public restaurants, completely detached from family conversations. We have to get these kids outside.

In his younger years, our son was captivated by the mystique of Death Valley, and how it got its name. So we took a road trip through it – ghost towns, hikes, and all. He also loves the sea, and has sipped from freshly-cracked coconuts on the shores of Phuket to building black volcanic sand castles in Santorini.

But we needn't be so lofty. Richmond offers local (and local-ish) experiences that will make future generations fall in love with mother nature and work to be her steward, not her begrudging janitor.

Baby goat cuddle sessions

Spring is baby goat season, and these fuzzy little tyrants love head scratches, cuddles, and climbing to the highest point on the human body. In Glen Allen, Pactamere Farm allows visitors to hang out with their baby and adult goats, which lowers your cortisol levels (for stress) and boosts serotonin and dopamine – the feel-good receptors. Connecting with animals isn't the only benefit. It helps support local farms and produce, which reduces the chance that the land will be swallowed up by an agriculture conglomerate that will drench the place with cancer-causing Roundup.

Tubing in Scottsville

Tubing requires just the right conditions, and the stretch of James River in Scottsville flows at an easy pace, is crystal clear, and the passing views look like paintings. On a whim, my son flipped to his stomach to experience the sensation of flying. At his encouraging, we all did. “Look down!” he yelled. Through the clear water, stones and sand banks flew by beneath us, making us feel like we were flying over the surface of the moon. It was surreal. James River Reeling and Rafting runs a smooth operation. Hippies in school buses with the windows down transport you, tube you, offer floats for your cooler, and catch you on the riverside on your way back.

Luray Caverns

Escape the summer heat by descending into the cool underground caverns in Luray. The otherworldly stalactites and stalagmites are lit up and ethereal, towering, dripping. The largest set of caverns in the Eastern U.S., the cathedral-like landmark was discovered by accident in 1878. A few men were out in a field on a hot summer day when they noticed cool air rising from a limestone sinkhole. They spent hours removing rocks, and when they descended by rope holding candles, they could not believe their eyes. Your children will feel the same way.

Everyday lessons

Beyond the excursions, there are everyday things we do to teach environmental mindfulness by example. Here are some of my favorites:

Thrifting: Teach your children the thrill of the hunt for one-of-a-kind, fashionable pieces that don't look mass-produced for Walmart. Then show them landfill photos, explaining how thrifting is part of the solution.

Pizza Garden: Grow tomatoes, oregano, and basil in your yard, and create a pizza together. Praise them for tending to the garden and for the delicious meal.

Composting and recycling: If it's second-nature to have three bins in your home (trash, recycling, and compost), it will be second nature for them too.

I don’t want the next generation to inherit anxiety about the planet. I want them to inherit a love for it.