Bridging the gap between nature and health.

Nature and Human Health Utah (NHH-UT) is a collaborative initiative based at the University of Utah that strengthens connections between nature, health, and community. We support research, programs, and partnerships that elevate the role of natural environments in public health, with a focus on equity, access, and shared impact across Utah.

Annual Conference

October 23rd, 2025

Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley City

10am-4pm

In today’s divided world, nature offers a shared space that fosters belonging and connection across communities. This conference highlights how intentional, inclusive access to nature can create environments where everyone feels valued and connected—promoting health and well-being for all.

With keynote speaker José González and a panel on nature equity, alongside presentations from pilot projects, the event will showcase how nature can build bridges across differences and support collective healing.

Held at Conservation Garden Park, the conference will combine dialogue, learning, and an outdoor experience to emphasize that nature is a powerful common ground—when designed with belonging in mind.

A promotional poster for the 'Common Ground: Nature for Health, Community, and Connection' conference, featuring an illustration of a park scene with trees, a creek, and a stone bridge, promoting the event at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center on October 23rd from 10AM to 4PM.

2024 Annual Report

Cover page of the 2024 Utah Nature and Human Health Annual Report featuring a landscape of canyon walls and a cloudy sky.

Thank you to everyone that contributed to our mission and helped to expand our reach in 2024. Check out our annual report to see all that we accomplished together.

Announcements

  • August Events

    View events hosted by our partners happening in August!

    Click Here

  • Wasatch Community Gardens Hiring!

    Wasatch Community Gardens is looking for passionate individuals to join their team. They are currently hiring for two positions:

    Community Garden Site Manager (application deadline August 15)
    This full-time role supports the infrastructure and operations of WCG’s community gardens. It is ideal for someone with experience in landscape and building maintenance, irrigation, and organic gardening.

    Fall Campus Garden Intern (application deadline August 2)
    This hands-on internship involves maintaining WCG’s half-acre organic garden. Interns help grow produce for youth programs and community partners, gaining valuable experience in urban agriculture and food justice.

    Learn More / Apply

  • NHH-UT does policy briefs

    NHH-UT has completed its first policy brief describing the green divide in SLC’s west side neighborhoods. If you or your organization is interested in partnering on a research brief, please contact Owen Watkins at owen.watkins@utah.edu.

    Click Here

  • Nature Journal

    This journal is designed to help you deepen your connection with the outdoors through mindful observation and reflection. A study led by researchers in the Penn State Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management indicates that nature journaling can reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and enhance mood by encouraging individuals to slow down and engage more fully with their natural surroundings. Whether you're in a park, your backyard, or on a hiking trail, this guide offers prompts to enrich your outdoor experiences.

    Click Here

  • NHH-UT Launches Graphical Abstracts

    Have you seen NHH-UT’s newest version of our research briefs? We wanted to make research even more accessible and thus have created graphical abstracts that take the most important information from academic articles to share with you. Use the link below to access!

    Click Here

Research Briefs

Did you know NHH-UT produces monthly research briefs? Our research briefs aim to distill academic research into succinct and easy to digest information for practitioners to utilize. Access our library of research briefs below:

Research brief titled 'Association of neighborhood parks with child health in the United States' from Utah's Nature & Human Health, including sections on background, key takeaways, and implications, highlighted in green and white text.

Interest in collaborating on a research brief? Reach out to myra.gerst@utah.edu

Aerial view of a university campus with green lawns, trees, walkways, and student crowds, with mountains in the background.

Connection to Research

A growing body of research links nature exposure to positive physical, emotional and mental health. However, myriad questions remain about how and why nature yields these benefits. Many of these research questions require interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral perspectives that bridge research and practice and that benefit from collaborations across many ways of knowing. Experts in parks, recreation and tourism, biology, environmental studies, urban planning and sociology, among others, will best position research teams to address the complex questions surrounding nature and human health.

Inspired by innovative research and projects produced by the similar Nature and Health program at the University of Washington, NHH-UT provides an arena in which experts from many societal sectors can collaborate. To learn more about NHH UT’s sister organization, Nature and Health Alliance, a research-collaborative that focuses primarily on advancing knowledge in nature and health, click the link below.

A group of hikers with backpacks walking along a narrow trail in a green, open field with trees and mountains in the background.

Utah’s Unique Position

With its urban and wilderness parks and monuments, natural resources, and recreational opportunities, Utah is uniquely positioned to foster this research collaborative. The University of Utah, along with partners across the state, has the expertise and resources to answer compelling questions about the nature and human health link, improve access to nature for all populations and increase awareness of the important role nature plays in human health and well-being.

A young boy swinging high on a playground swing set against a clear blue sky.

Nature Equity

Not all people and communities are able to experience the health benefits of nature equitably. NHH UT is working to better understand the barriers to nature, and the address the inequities when it comes to accessing nature. To learn more about nature equity and our funding source, please visit the link below.

"Nature itself is the best physician.”   

— Hippocrates