Pre Conference Course 16: The Climate Change and Health, Evidence-Based Behavior Medicine and Physical Activity SIGs present: Nature as Medicine: Evidence-Based NatureRX for Physical Activity Promotion and Climate Resilience

Researchers and practitioners have advocated for nature contact—exposure to and engagement with natural environments—as an important health behavior due to its wide-ranging benefits for both prevention and management of chronic disease. A growing body of ecological and experimental evidence demonstrates the benefits of nature via physiological (e.g., immune function, oxidative stress) and psychological (e.g., enjoyment, vitality, attention restoration) pathways. Nature contact has also been linked to increased physical activity and pro-environmental behaviors (including advocating for and protecting natural resources that serve as both climate mitigation and adaptation strategies). Despite these benefits, most individuals spend only ~10% of their time in nature. Nature prescription (NatureRx) programs offer an accessible and scalable evidence-based behavioral medicine approach to prevent and treat chronic disease. Grounded in evidence-based frameworks (e.g., restoration, biophilia), these programs involve healthcare providers recommending “green space” (e.g., park walking, gardening) or “blue space” (e.g., walking near water) activities. In this 2-hour interactive workshop, community-engaged nature and health researchers will immerse participants in Grant Park, where they will complete a brief affect measure (Feelings Scale) before and after a 15-minute guided nature experience. This immersion—featuring light walking, mindfulness, and forest bathing—offers firsthand restorative benefits while modeling integration into practice. Following the immersion, facilitators will introduce the NatureRx framework, review current evidence, discuss ongoing research, and demonstrate practical behavioral counseling techniques (e.g., motivational interviewing, tailored goal setting). Participants will receive practical resources including a NatureRx prescription pad and engage in guided role-play activities to practice delivering and receiving nature prescriptions across healthcare, community, and research settings. The session will conclude with a group discussion to reflect on experiences, share perspectives on feasibility and potential adaptations, and explore strategies for implementation in diverse professional contexts. Through these activities, participants will leave able to describe the core components of NatureRx programs, apply evidence-based counseling skills, and identify opportunities to integrate nature-based activity promotion into their own work.

Chair - Gina Besenyi, PhD, Kansas State University
Co-Presenter - Emily Mailey, PhD, FSBM, Kansas State University
Co-Presenter - Jay Maddock, PhD, Texas A&M University
Co-Author - Jimikaye Courtney, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Co-Author - Jacob Szeszulski, PhD, Texas A&M AgriLife Research
Co-Author - Kevin Lanza, PhD, UTHealth School of Public Health in Austin