Nature is emerging as a powerful tool for improving community health, and universities are investing in programs that bring outdoor experiences to underserved populations. At the University of Utah, a research-practice collaborative called Nature & Human Health-Utah (NHH-UT) has funded 13 pilot projects since 2022 that explore how nature exposure strengthens mental health, builds community connections, and addresses health disparities in ways traditional wellness programs often miss.

What Does 10 Minutes in Nature Actually Do for Your Mental Health?

One of the most compelling findings from NHH-UT-supported research is surprisingly simple: even brief nature exposure delivers measurable mental health benefits. A meta-analysis led by Joanna Bettmann Schaefer, a professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Utah, examined the effects of nature for people with mental health conditions. The research showed that just 10 minutes of nature exposure can yield mental health benefits, a finding significant enough to produce four publications and nine popular press citations that are now informing wellness programming and policy conversations statewide.

This evidence is reshaping how health organizations think about treatment. Rather than viewing nature as a nice-to-have amenity, researchers and practitioners are recognizing it as a legitimate intervention with measurable outcomes. The research produced findings substantial enough to influence policy conversations, suggesting that nature-based approaches deserve a place alongside traditional mental health interventions.

How Are Universities Scaling Nature-Based Health Programs?

The NHH-UT model demonstrates how strategic funding and collaboration can transform isolated health initiatives into a coordinated movement. The initiative began in 2019 with a straightforward mission: connect organizations working toward similar goals of utilizing nature for health and wellness. "One of the things we set out to do is help organizations with the same mission find each other so they can advance their goals," explains Dorothy Schmalz, professor and chair of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at the University of Utah. "We found that all these organizations have similar agendas but are working in silos and wanted to connect them to share resources".

The collaborative secured initial funding through REI, a major outdoor retailer, which provided the momentum needed to launch programs and partnerships. Since then, NHH-UT has operated as a research-practice collaborative, connecting organizations and communities through membership meetings, pilot grants, and an annual conference. In 2023, the team hired a program manager to conduct a community landscape assessment, mapping organizations across the valley and identifying gaps in access to nature for underserved populations.

Ways to Support and Expand Nature-Based Health Interventions

• Pilot Grants for Researchers: NHH-UT provides small grants that give researchers baseline data needed to attract larger federal funding. One pediatric rheumatology fellow used a pilot grant to launch the first-ever nature intervention study in her field, which subsequently led to funding from the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) and positioned her for future National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants.
• Community Partnerships and Collaboration: Programs like Homelessness, Health, and Nature connected University of Utah researchers with individuals living in encampments along the Jordan River and partnered with the Tracy Aviary's Nature Center at Pia Okwai, creating sustainable community engagement that benefits overlooked populations.
• Equity-Focused Programming: Initiatives like Camping in Color and Breathe 4 Trees strengthened social ties and promoted equity by serving specific populations. Breathe 4 Trees planted nine trees during its first annual event and achieved nonprofit status, while Camping in Color served 14 families and established a new leadership model for future programming.
• Youth-Centered Initiatives: Programs including Summer Camps for Incarcerated Youth and Outdoor-Based Programming for First-Generation Scholars demonstrated how nature-based learning supports vulnerable youth populations, with the latter securing permanent funding for future orientations.

Which Populations Are Benefiting Most from These Programs?

The pilot projects funded by NHH-UT reveal that nature-based interventions work across diverse populations and health conditions. Youth with rheumatic diseases, college students struggling with mental health, incarcerated youth, first-generation college scholars, women and gender minorities, and people experiencing homelessness have all participated in nature-based programs with documented benefits.

One standout example is the partnership between Wonderbloom and Tracy Aviary, which created an outdoor preschool designed to boost cognitive development and emotional well-being in early childhood. "When I met Tim through Nature & Human Health-Utah, it felt like the perfect alignment of vision and values," says Dr. Sarah Stone, founder of Wonderbloom. "Wonderbloom's goal is to give children access to nature-based education, and partnering with Tracy Aviary means we can offer families an immersive experience that supports cognitive growth, emotional well-being, and community connection".

Tim Brown, president and CEO of Tracy Aviary and co-leader for NHH-UT, emphasizes the equity dimension of these partnerships: "This partnership is about more than education—it's about equity. We know that access to green spaces is linked to health outcomes, and by creating opportunities on the west side of Salt Lake City, we're helping address a real need in our community".

What Makes These Programs Sustainable?

The success of NHH-UT's approach lies in its focus on building sustainable infrastructure rather than one-off programs. Pilot grants serve as springboards for larger funding, as demonstrated by the pediatric rheumatology project that attracted subsequent federal support. Community-focused projects like Breathe 4 Trees have achieved nonprofit status, ensuring long-term viability. Youth-focused initiatives like Outdoor-Based Programming for First-Generation Scholars have secured permanent funding for future orientations, indicating institutional commitment.

Looking forward, NHH-UT has identified three priorities for expansion: refining funding categories to focus on healthcare-related projects, strengthening connections between research and community implementation, and ensuring equitable access to nature-based interventions across all populations. These priorities reflect a maturing understanding that nature-based health is not a luxury amenity but a public health necessity that requires sustained investment and strategic coordination.