Bridging the gap between nature and health.

Throughout history, trees have provided vital sources of sustenance, protection, and wonder. Nalini Nadkarni, a tree canopy ecologist, has spent four decades studying how forests inform our daily lives. Climb in the clouds to experience the magnificent wildlife and incredible science hidden in the worlds above.

Nalini Nadkarni, a National Geographic Explorer At Large, pioneered canopy access techniques to study the plants, animals, and microbes in treetops. She blends her research on rainforest canopies with innovative public engagement. A contributor to 150 scientific papers and books, she has shed light on canopy plants’ roles in ecosystems and the impact of human activities on forest diversity. Her work, featured in academic journals and media like NPR and RadioLab, has earned her prestigious awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship, the AAAS Award for Public Engagement, and the NSF Public Service Award.

This is the last week to participate in the in person workshops! Don't miss your chance to share how you connect with the Jordan River and your ideas about the new regional park along the Jordan River between SR201 and 5400S.

Stop by one of the workshops anytime between 4:30 and 7:00pm. Can't make it in person? Share your thoughts on the website instead!

Nov 12 - Redwood Rec Center, in West Valley City

Nov 13 - Taylorsville Library in Taylorsville

Nov 14 - Millcreek Community Center in Millcreek

The inaugural Nature and Health Conference will take place from April 27–29, 2025, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Houston, Texas. This 3-day event, hosted by the Nature and Health Alliance and the Center for Health and Nature, gathers researchers, practitioners, and advocates to explore the role of nature in promoting health and well-being.

Conference Highlights:

Thematic sessions on green spaces, nature-based therapies, and more.

Debates, panel discussions, and interactive working groups.

Networking opportunities and poster presentations of the latest findings.

Nature excursions with free activities (sign up early!).

Call for Abstracts: Submit abstracts for poster sessions and a student panel by January 10, 2025 (notifications by January 31).

Join us to connect, learn, and contribute to the growing field of nature and health. Register and submit your abstracts today!

Tracy Aviary’s Conservation Science Program conserves birds and their habitats through community science, focusing on local avian ecology and engaging the community in data collection. We are seeking a Conservation Outreach Ecologist I to support and expand our community science efforts. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, Tracy Aviary (www.tracyaviary.org) is an AZA-accredited institution. Our Nature Center at Pia Okwai, opened in 2020, furthers our mission to inspire curiosity about birds and nature. The Conservation Outreach Ecologist will work at both the Aviary and the Nature Center while conducting local fieldwork.

Two positions are available at WCG, both focused on promoting healthy food access for all. The Sponsorship & Corporate Giving Director will work within the External Relations Team, building relationships with sponsors and corporate donors to support WCG’s annual fundraising campaigns, ongoing sponsorship programs, corporate-donor relations, and cause marketing partnerships. Applications for this position close on Friday, November 8. The Events & Outreach Manager will manage WCG’s events, from large organization-wide gatherings to smaller program-specific activities, while also overseeing outreach efforts to drive community engagement. Applications for this role close on Wednesday, November 27.

Clean Air SLC is putting on E-bike Commuter Classes in partnership with Bike Utah! These riding and safety classes are open to all residents. You'll learn about riding etiquette, safety gear, maintenance, and other tips to keep you safe and confident on your e-bike. Plus, the classes include a group ride where you can practice your skills and get feedback from instructors.

Register for one of the following dates:

Saturday, October 19th, 10am-noon at the Marmalade Library

Thursday, October 24th, 10am-noon at the Neighborhood Hive

Saturday, October 26th, 10am-noon, Location TBD

Sign up today to ride safely and enjoy your e-bike!

This event will feature local government agencies, non-profits, and green businesses, offering information about their services, programs, and products. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more. The event will also include a Halloween costume exchange, where gently used costumes (any size) can be swapped for another. Costumes can be dropped off at Indian Hills Elementary during the week of October 7 (a collection box will be available in the main foyer), or brought to the event. In addition, there will be activities for children, refreshments, a raffle for a gift basket of eco-friendly products, and a station for dropping off hard-to-recycle materials.

Join us for the Second Annual Nature and Health Symposium on Thursday, October 22nd, from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center. The event will feature keynote speaker Nikki Smith, pilot grant presentations, and a guided walk along the Jordan River Trail. Don't miss this opportunity for food, networking, and learning! RSVP at natureandhumanhealthutah.org.

Applications for the Executive Director position are open until November 4th! In September, our current Executive Director, Georgina Griffith-Yates, will offer one-on-one campus tours for candidates to ask questions. Please share this opportunity with those who align with our values of joy, collaboration, inclusion, and stewardship.

We’re looking for someone to lead the execution of our strategic plan and focus on priorities from our Building Capacity and Deepening Impact Campaign. Georgina will continue supporting the WCG team, planning next year’s programming, and ensuring a smooth transition.

The Grand Opening of the Outdoor Classroom at Wonderbloom in Murray is the culmination of years of planning, preparation, and hard work from many staff, parents, volunteers, community members, and organizations. Help us finish the Outdoor Classroom while also raising funds for scholarships by attending our Grand Opening and sponsoring a plant or learning center!

The Nature Conservancy of Utah is hiring a Water Program Director. Click below to learn more and apply for the position by September 6th.

The Division of Outdoor Recreation is excited to bring back the Utah Children’s Outdoor Recreation and Education (UCORE) grant, to provide high-quality, outdoor-focused learning experiences to youth ages 6-18 in Utah. This funding aims to teach youth the physical skills that can make outdoor recreation part of a healthy and active lifestyle. UCORE complements the state’s Every Kid Outdoors (EKO) Initiative and hopes to provide more opportunities so no child is left inside. Please review the 2024 UCORE Program Guide to learn what activities, and expenses UCORE can help your program fund.

Join us on October 16 to discuss best practices in nature play. 

Please help us spread the word by sharing the registration link with anyone you believe would be interested in attending. 

In an effort to make the Symposium as accessible as possible, we've set the base price at $10. However, the actual cost of organizing the event exceeds this amount. If you'd like to help support the Symposium, please consider donating whatever you can.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you in October!

The Applied Cognition Lab at the University of Utah, in partnership with Red Butte Garden, is offering an exciting opportunity to participate in a fun and simple study. This is a unique chance to contribute to important research and enjoy the beauty of Red Butte Garden. Participants will be compensated for their time.

Thanks to the support from the REI Cooperative Action Fund and an anonymous donor, we are thrilled to announce the awarding of over $60,000 to eight projects, well exceeding last years’ impact.

Our call for proposals yielded an overwhelming response, with three times the number of submissions compared our first cycle of pilot funding. The projects awarded this year are diverse in project type, targeted audience, and desired goals and outcomes. Amongst our pilot grant recipients, there are projects aimed at working with pediatric rheumatology patients, incarcerated youth, first-generation college students, and black families among others.

Members of NHH-UT and our partner organization, the Nature and Health Alliance, have worked together to author "Healthy by Nature: Policy Practices Aimed at Maximizing the Behavioral Health Benefits of Nature Contact." This article is designed to promote greater engagement by community organizations and policymakers in the realm of nature and health practices. To access the article, please click the link below.