Our Story

When I was four years old, I hiked the Fragrant Hills in Beijing with my family, with an altitude of 557 meters. Standing at the summit, I saw a breathtaking view stretching for miles below. In that moment, my love for the outdoors was born. The beautiful nature that surrounded me inspired a passion that would shape my life.

Since that day, I have dedicated myself to exploring the natural world. I’ve hiked over 600 miles, camped for more than 100 nights, and spent over 60 days backpacking through diverse terrains. Each adventure taught me valuable skills—like navigating with a compass, starting a fire in the wilderness, and understanding the delicate balance of ecosystems. These experiences not only connected me to the land but also instilled a deep sense of responsibility for preserving it.

As I traversed forests, mountains, and valleys, I learned that the outdoors offers more than just physical challenges; it fosters resilience, teamwork, and a profound sense of belonging. Each trek deepened my appreciation for nature and taught me the importance of community, as I often shared these experiences with friends and fellow adventurers.

With this spirit in mind, I founded Evergreen Impact. My goal is to help youth experience the transformative power of the outdoors. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to connect with nature, just as I did. Through our activities, we aim to provide accessible outdoor experiences for youth as well as fostering a love for the environment and inspiring a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts.

Evergreen Impact is committed to creating a community where youth can learn essential outdoor skills, embrace the beauty of nature, and understand the importance of conservation. Together, we can inspire youth to step outside, explore the world, and ultimately make a positive impact on both themselves and the environment.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Michael Raso

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Founder

Evergreen Impact offers a variety of nature exploration activities, including hiking, camping, backpacking, and kayaking/canoeing. Our educational workshops cover topics such as Leave No Trace principles, the physical and mental benefits of outdoor activities, orienteering with a map and compass, as well as survival skills like knot tying and shelter building. We also organize sustainability-focused events to clean overgrown trails, pick up garbage in Northern Virginia parks, and remove invasive species. Additionally, our community-based environmental initiatives include building outdoor classrooms for local schools and organizing clean-up events for community parks. 

Evergreen Impact aims to help youth develop a deep connection with nature while promoting environmental stewardship and community engagement.