PRB+ Magazine

Tuning into the big game on Sunday? In sports and in conservation, teamwork makes all the difference. From restoring forests to conserving wetlands and safeguarding wildlife species, we’re all working from the same playbook: protecting the natural systems that sustain us.

BEST OUTDOOR REC PROJECT These outdoor recreation projects prove that big fun comes in all shapes and sizes—without having to leave your community.

See every entry in this category here: www.prbplus.com/best-outdoor...

Designed and built by American Ramp Company(ARC) in partnership with Horrocks Engineering, this 31,000-square-foot facility (in Pleasant Grove, Utah) anchors a vibrant community recreation area that includes a destination playground and splash pad.

Congrats to ARC!!

Throughout this month, we'll share the winners from our Project Portfolio, which you can read in full in PRB+ February: www.prbplus.com/2025-project...

First up, as voted by you, the Best Outdoor Rec Project of 2025 is...Cook Family Park!!!

Listen to their chat on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4l9J...
(or wherever you get your podcasts)

Or watch on YouTube: youtu.be/6qVu2o6Xhjk?...

Read about the Greenprint Charter here: www.prbplus.com/following-a-...

On the latest episode of Park People, Dr. Ted Smith—Lead Researcher on the Greenprint Charter and Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Louisville School of Medicine—chats with Rodney about a game-changing project happening in Louisville, Ky.

Jaw-dropping biodiversity 🐢😮

Did you know Alabama is home to more freshwater species than anywhere else in North America?

From dazzling darters to prehistoric turtles, these waters are a hidden world worth protecting.

Dive into the full story: https://nature.ly/4rCd1A9

It's #TransitEquityDay, honoring Rosa Parks’ birthday (2/4)! #DDOTDC just relaunched the E-Bike Incentive Program to make e-bikes more affordable, support local bike shops, and provide transportation options for DC residents. Applications are open now through February 21, 2026. 🔗 ebikes.ddot.dc.gov

Also, Brian Hill of Waters Edge Aquatic Design recently joined Park People to preview his forthcoming CampFest session. If you want a sneak peek, check out the episode.

Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6UFb...

Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/C4OXKafPn4Q?...

Hope to see you there!

Some CampFest updates...

We've just added another session to the lineup — "Situational Leadership: Leading Like a Coach, Not a Script," led by Camp Industry Veteran & Author Al Ferreira.

See the full lineup and save your spot today: events.zoom.us/ev/AgxNqsv8F...

Louisville, Ky.'s Greenprint Charter asks if targeted greening improves public health and supports downtown recovery?

The answer is one cities across the country should pay attention to.

Read "Following A New 'Greenprint'" in PRB+ February: www.prbplus.com/following-a-...

Today is #WorldWetlandsDay
We have peatland restoration plans coming up and we're creating habitat for water voles!
At heritage sites like 'Driver and Pinkery we want to create a network of pools around the streams, planted with water vole-friendly plants

Credit: Jim Wileman

Issues February 2026 Read Issue Subscribe To Read Past Issues

You'll also find three pieces of compelling journalism about sustainability issues impacting parks, rec, and camp.

Dive in here: www.prbplus.com/issue-archive/

PRB+ February is out now!!

The new issue is anchored by the Project Portfolio, a special feature highlighting last year's biggest and best investments in 8 categories.

Read these stories (and the rest of the issue) before PRB+ February drops on Monday. Happy reading!

The 12-Month Aquatic Playbook Every aquatic professional knows the sinking feeling of a pool closure. Members are frustrated, schedules are disrupted, and budgets are drained by emergency fixes. Too often, maintenance is reactive,...

-- Landmark Aquatic's CEO, J. Ryan Casserly, outlines a plan for year-round pool success in "The 12-Month Aquatic Playbook": www.prbplus.com/the-12-month...

-- "Guiding Our Youth" shines a spotlight on Asheville Parks & Recreation's game-changing mentorship program: www.prbplus.com/guiding-our-...

How We Do Things Everywhere In a rainbow barn packed with a hundred campers and forty counselors, a 16-year-old CIT with electric-blue hair performed what felt like the final poem of her childhood.

ICYMI: As the month comes to a close, a few of our January stories deserve a second look...

-- In "How We Do Things Everywhere," Violet Piper asks some meaningful questions about camp culture and the industry's capacity for change: www.prbplus.com/how-we-do-th...

PRB+ February goes live Monday, February 2!

Our sustainability issue combines with one of our biggest features of the year...stay tuned!

Preview photo courtesy of The Underline.

We just added 2 more sessions to CampFest!! (Details in photos...)

Both are timely and compelling, and they're happening on Thursday, February 26.

To learn more and reserve your spot, head to the official CampFest landing page: events.zoom.us/ev/AgxNqsv8F...

It Takes a Village: What Birds Teach Us About Cooperation and Family Why do some birds raise chicks that aren’t their own? A look at the surprising strategy of cooperative breeding and what drives it.

Thriving often means helping each other, sharing what we have and investing in the next generation.

Birds are masters of cooperation and family life, and they have a lot to teach us. 🐦 💙

Connecting Communities To Birds

Or listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1KUr...

And be sure to read Wyatt's fascinating story, "Connecting Communities To Birds," in the January issue of PRB+: www.prbplus.com/connecting-c...

On this week's episode of Park People, Wyatt Moore (Supervisor Naturalist at Big Break Visitor Center in East Bay Regional Park District) chats with Rodney about all things #birding.

The video offers a sneak peek. Watch their full chat on YouTube: youtu.be/deU02Xcuyeg?...

Then stay tuned tomorrow for the latest episode of Park People, in which Wyatt Moore talks EBRPD and birding with Rodney.

As evidenced in East Bay Regional Park District, birding is so much more than programming. Read "Connecting Communities To Birds" in PRB+ January to learn about the agency's unique approach: www.prbplus.com/connecting-c...

“Connecting Communities To Birds” highlights @EBRPD’s robust slate of #birdwatching programming and its many positive impacts.

Read it here: www.prbplus.com/connecting-c...

And stay tuned next week for a new episode of Park People featuring this story!

We recently asked WWF staff from across the organization to reflect on the work highlights that made 2025 meaningful.

WWF’s Madalen Howard shares her experience on visiting the sandhill crane migration in the Rio Grande Basin and its importance to freshwater ecosystems.

We're actively working on editorial for our forthcoming May and June issues of PRB+.

Tell your story! 1200 words min.

May - Recreation (deadline: February 6)
June - Design (deadline: March 6)

Submit here: www.prbplus.com/submit-files/
Questions? Contact jefferey@northstarpubs.com.

North Atlantic Right Whales in the South North Atlantic right whales visit the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida every winter to birth and raise their calves. This endangered baleen whale is threatened by boat strikes, fishing ge...

A whale of a tale 🐋

There might only be 375 of these whales left on Earth—but TNC-led mapping efforts show they can bounce back if given the chance.

Where Nature Meets Rhythm: Creating Pollinator Gardens That Sing

Or listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4yQv...

And don't forget to sign up for CampFest, a FREE virtual event happening Feb. 24-26: events.zoom.us/ev/AgxNqsv8F...

Kate Mannerings of Percussion Play chatted with PRB+ Publisher Rodney Auth about her forthcoming CampFest session, "When Nature Meets Rhythm: Creating Pollinator Gardens That Sing."

Watch the full chat here: youtu.be/N1ADcWM2ufw?...