Campus Nature Rx

Campus Nature Rx @ CSUMB (Est. 2022)

California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that serves a diverse population of students and communities. CSUMB resides on the indigenous homeland of the Esselen people (also known as Carmeleno, Monterey Bay, and Rumsen). The 1,396 acre campus is situated within a nexus of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and is within walking distance to the Fort Ord National Monument and the beaches of Fort Ord Dunes State Park.  

The Campus Nature Rx (CNRx) program at CSUMB seeks to promote health, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging for the whole campus community through explicit attention to campus nature and biophilic design. Our program seeks to achieve this through two broad goals: i) promoting opportunities to directly experience nature through outdoor classes, living laboratories, and recreation, and ii) building awareness of the direct linkages between CNRx and food justice.  

Established in 2022, the CSUMB Campus Nature Rx program identifies existing events, food resources, recreation and mental restoration sites, spaces of cultural interest, and biophilic study spots. In order to foster a sense of belonging, an interactive map also highlights diverse ways people interact with or connect to nature on campus. Additionally, the CNRx program seeks to connect CSUMB students to campus community gardens and other means of alleviating food insecurity.