Membership organisation
The Naturist Society Foundation
The Naturist Society Foundation (TNSF, formerly The Naturist Society) is a US membership organisation founded in 1980 by Lee Baxandall to promote body acceptance and clothing-optional use of public lands. It publishes N magazine, keeps a directory of free beaches and backs the Naturist Action Committee, which fights anti-nudity legislation.
What does The Naturist Society Foundation do?
Where AANR is built around private clubs, the Naturist Society was founded to defend the free beach: public land where nude use is legal or tolerated, such as Haulover Beach, Black's Beach and Gunnison Beach.
It publishes N (Nude & Natural) magazine, runs regional gatherings, maintains a network of local naturist groups and funds research and education through the Naturist Education Foundation.
What is the Naturist Action Committee?
The Naturist Action Committee (NAC) is the political arm that grew out of the society in 1990. It tracks bills and ordinances that would ban nudity on beaches and public land, organises testimony and letters, and supports local groups defending places such as Hippie Hollow or Mazo Beach when their status is challenged.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded The Naturist Society?
Lee Baxandall, an author and activist from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, founded it in 1980 after years of organising the Free Beach movement.
Is The Naturist Society part of AANR?
No. They are separate organisations with different roots, though they cooperate on legislation and many naturists belong to both.
What is N magazine?
N (Nude & Natural) is the society's quarterly members' magazine, covering beaches, travel, body acceptance and legal news.
Naturist places in United States
Other organisations
Facts from the organisation's own website and Wikipedia. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Corrections: see the editorial policy.