How can health-nature connections support sustainable, resilient communities?

We invite regional outdoor recreation, environmental education, health care organizations, and the public for a community conversation to explore how nature-based opportunities can improve well-being among providers, staff, and patients. 

During this 2-hour gathering, you’ll spend time in a natural setting building relationships with others from your region. Together, you will then generate ideas about ways health care organizations can work with educators and others to activate nature connection for staff, providers, and community members. Then, your group will share ideas and insights with the Wisconsin statewide coordinators.

On October 16, you’ll have the option to participate in a 75-minute virtual session to learn about and discuss what others around the state have suggested to deepen nature connection for wellbeing.

Why nature and health care?

Health care providers and patients alike can benefit from nature connection and spending time in natural environments, especially as avenues for stress management and physical activity. Burnout and ongoing stress can increase risk of provider error and, in some cases, implicit bias. Research suggests that as little as twenty minutes in a natural setting can help us restore our ability to pay focused attention. In one study, resident physicians experiencing symptoms of burnout demonstrated a higher probability of acting with implicit bias during their interactions with patients. Biophilic design in health care environments and schedules that make nature connection easy can benefit wellbeing. Wisconsin’s State Health Plan cites Wisconsin’s rich natural resources and scenic beauty as key assets to improve health and wellbeing. Nature centers, environmental education groups, and rich natural areas offer health care organizations exciting opportunities to support mental and emotional wellbeing, social connection, physical activity, and stress management.

Early experiments show the additive benefits of nature exposure to healing for post-surgical patients, and ecotherapy is gaining traction as an effective strategy for treating trauma and anxiety. Natural settings also offer opportunities to increase physical activity, and many nature centers, parks, and local green spaces offer accessible features to encourage the whole community to enjoy.

Registration is required. The event is free.

References

Strategic Education & The Harris Poll. 2025 Healthcare Workforce Survey.https://www.strategiceducation.com/healthcare-workforce-survey/

Whelehan DF, Ridgway PF. Designing the work week in healthcare: a systems agenda for safer, sustainable work. BMJ Open Qual. 2026 Aug 5;15(3):e004272. doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2026-004272.

Dyrbye, L., Herrin, J., West, C. P., Wittlin, N. M., Dovidio, J. F., Hardeman, R., Burke, S. E., Phelan, S., Onyeador, I. N., Cunningham, B., & van Ryn, M. (2019). Association of Racial Bias With Burnout Among Resident Physicians. JAMA Network Open, 2(7), e197457.https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.7457

Du, Y., Xie, M., & Zou, Y. (n.d.). Biophilic design in hospital environments: A rapid review of nature-integrated strategies and patient outcomes. Frontiers in Public Health, 14, 1786483.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1786483

Wisconsin Department of Health Services. 2025 Wisconsin State Health Assessment. (June 2026).https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p03169-2025.pdf

[6]Victorson D. Nature Contact A Social Determinant of Health for People, Population, and Planet. Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. May 2024.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4iFDow5WMI&t=813s