Editor's Note: Summer 2026

Editor’s Note: Summer 2026

This summer we’re powering down to charge up

By Jennifer Wehunt
NWF News
Jun 24, 2026

Inspired by our cover story on nature’s benefits? From the Cascade Range in Washington state (above) to your patio, the outdoors is calling.

LIKE SO MANY OF US, I spend way more hours than I mean to at my desk in front of a screen. When I got my first work laptop a dozen years ago, I thought I was free of the tyranny of a fixed location forever. Take that, good posture and ergonomic chair! I’ll never sit in one location too long again!

Well, yes and no. Turns out a stable surface for Zoom meetings has its advantages. But even when I’m at my desk, I’m looking out a south-facing window. From this spot, I’ve seen an opossum walk the fence line and a red-tailed hawk feast on multiple meals. When the weather warms up, I can slide the door open and feel the breeze on my face. Is this what we mean by the benefits of nature?

Well, yes and no. As Katarina Zimmer writes in this issue’s cover story, “Why Is Nature So Good for Us?”, “It’s common wisdom that nature boosts our health.” While scientists are still connecting all of the hows and whys—from lowering the amount of cortisol in our system to boosting immune health, as Zimmer reports—there’s no question that being outside is good for us. Simply thinking about being outside can be good for us. Just maybe not as good as leaving the laptop behind.

As summer unspools and daylight stretches late into the evening, I hope you find yourself outdoors as much as possible, whether that’s a walk in the woods or in a hammock on the patio with this magazine in hand. As a matter of fact, hold that thought.

Jennifer Wehunt is the editorial director of National Wildlife magazine. Share your thoughts on the magazine by emailing nwfeditor@nwf.org.