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Why Focus on Nature-Engagement ?
Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.
Feeling connected to nature can produce similar benefits to well-being, regardless of how much time one spends outdoors.
Both green spaces and blue spaces (aquatic environments) produce well-being benefits. More remote and biodiverse spaces may be particularly helpful, though even urban parks and trees can lead to positive outcomes.
Weir, K. (2020). Nurtured by Nature. American Psychological Association Monitor on Psychology, 51 (3), 50.
1) Let the participants take the lead!
Your participants will have the best ideas for how they like to engage with and learn about nature. Ask them to make suggestions! If they have any special nature-knowledge (bird-watching, foraging, scenic walking trails, etc.) encourage them to contribute and take the lead. Click on document for ideas!
3) There's an App for that: Learning about the Natural Environment
Do your participants want to learn about the local wildlife? plants? birds? If so, you can facilitate some great group learning through apps. Merlin and Seek are two easy ways to start! Click on the left for more information.
4) Visit a local, regional or state park
Although taking a group to a park will take some preparation, it is not that hard and the rewards are sweet! Click on the document to the left for everything you need to know about taking a group to a park/leading a class in a park.
5) Nature-based activities (Suitable for adults and children)
There are so many ways that kids (of any age) can engage in nature through fun activities! Click on the link at the left for a sampling of ideas.
6) Nature-based art
How can art and walking go together? Walking time can be used to appreciate the art that nature offers, as well as collect natural art supplies! Click on the document to the left for some nature-inspired art ideas.
7) Nature Photography
7) Nature Photography
Bring out the phones and cameras - photography can be a wonderful way to engage in nature and enhance the nature-based walk with ease program! Click on the document to the left from New Jersey Fish and Wildlife Department for tips and tricks for nature photography.
8) Yoga: Nature-based stretching
Stretching is essential preparation for a walk, but what exactly is nature-based stretching? More than just stretching outdoors, yoga poses are based on nature, and are designed to help us connect to the natural world. Click on the website on the left to learn more!
9) Scavenger Hunt
9) Scavenger Hunt
When your mind is focused on finding things in the natural world, you can walk forever! Use this nature-based scavenger hunt as a template; you can design your own based on where your group is walking and what they may encounter.
10) Foraging
Our natural world is filled with foods and medicines to help us heal and be healthy. We can even eat some of the the weeds in our own backyards! Check out the link on the left for some foraging ideas for beginners, as well as important links to resources to expand your foraging pursuits!
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