How can you use nature to create engaging outreach programs?

Purpose Inspiration Here are the mission statements from my last four park and recreation roles: “Fostering healthy living through stewardship of the environment, parks, trails, and open space and by providing recreational services and programs.” “Together we create exceptional opportunities for a vibrant community with a commitment to nature, wellness, and literacy.” “…to provide quality facilities and services that are responsive to a diverse community and sustained with a focus on partnerships, innovation, and environmental leadership.” “We create community through people, parks, and programs.”

A multitiered holistic approach to health equity that addresses physical, mental, and social well-being while respecting the cultural context of racial and ethnic minority communities should include most of the following: culturally tailored activities, community gardens, wellness events in nature, educational workshops, support groups, collaboration with local organizations and churches, cultural festivals outdoors, mobile health clinics and vaccine pop-ups, outdoor exercise (bike riding, walking clubs), storytelling and art in nature (outdoor setting, cultural field trips), integrate language and cultural competency, participatory planning (include the community in planning efforts).

I love nature. Having an engagement in nature is about the experience, and it’s key to let that be the focus… that drives everything else because people will forget what was said, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Seating, activities, site, layout, or all factors in creating THE experience. I recently attended an event on the USS MIDWAY, the ship where the movie Top Gun was filmed. Amazing, music activities, Tom Cruise look-alike, Tom Cruise sunglasses for all, top gun chic attire,band, playing top gun music ~all created an unforgettable experience. Remember, people can network, and engage but how do we make them never forget not only who they engaged with, how they engaged with them, and where it was, that is experience.

In my work, I would start with challenging the term "use nature" and ask folks to think about ancestral connections to the natural world and how to lift that practice in outreach efforts especially with Indigenous and communities of color. When we center our traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) we often see that our ancestors identified strongly as being a part of nature, not seperate from it. When we move away from the very extractive model of "using" natural resources to a more balanced way of being that keeps us connected to the earth, water, air and all beings that share the planet we naturally come together in purpose & authentic knowledge of who we are to address our collective community needs with clarity.

Building a company and nonprofit that values nature and enjoyment and allows its users and customers to connect with nature is a great business value. Many nonprofits include nature and outdoor activities in their programs, allowing members to appreciate nature and relaxation, and prioritize wellness and personal development. Ensure that personal development is connected to outdoor enjoyment and relaxation, and can empower good program outcomes.

Map what you know and don't know about your intended participants: they likely land on a wide spectrum of nature fluency. Think about how to create an experience that is welcoming to a wide range of experience levels and accessibility considerations. Whenever possible, root your experience in local and seasonal elements and plan for all weather contingencies: prepare your attendees with super specific details (footwear recommendations, appropriate layers, bring water vessels / food if needed, hats / sunglasses, sun protection / spf) to help them be prepared and comfortable if they are less likely to be fluent in outdoorsing. Describe your nature surroundings in your invitation: conditions, potential weather, slope/incline, distance, etc.

Like many other organizations and nonprofits, Kingman Cares has multiple audiences; those we serve, volunteers, and donors. Our clients are those who are vulnerable and needing help, this is broad; however, we are here to help. We are always looking for individuals, couples, organizations and groups who want to get out and serve within the community. Because Kingman Cares depends on donations, grants, scholarships, and in-kind donations in order to continue to meet the needs of community members we promote that money raised in the community remains in the community.

I would add that is important to hire staff who understand and are cultural competence and possess cultural humility. This will help with building rapport with our communities.

I fully agree with the above comment. And yes it helps to know barriers especially that are related to languages, ages, gender, cultural norms etc.

Know Your Audience: Comprehend your target audience thoroughly by taking into account their demographics, hobbies, and level of prior knowledge. Make sure your programmes are appealing to the community you are working with. To gather comments and insights, conduct outreach campaigns or surveys and modify your strategy according to audience preferences.

Kingman is a beautiful community, we encourage everyone to get out and see the community. It is healthy getting out walking, biking, or running in the fresh air or sunshine. Getting out and helping clean up our parks and trails is great exercise, good for the mind, an opportunity to socialize with others with the same goals and helps keep our community beautiful.

I love the dynamics of a synthesized outreach model combining nature and peer-supportive elements to create engaging programs. It integrates outdoor activities, environmental education, and community-building strategies. Participants engage in nature-centric challenges, mentorship programs, and collaborative projects, fostering a supportive environment. Social media communities and regular gatherings maintain virtual and in-person connections. Storytelling, reflection sessions, and nature-inspired art enhance personal and group experiences. The model aims for a holistic approach, celebrating achievements and milestones while providing a sustained and enriching outreach experience. Regular feedback ensures ongoing program effectiveness.

Select the Format: Choose the format that will work best for your audience and purpose. Workshops, citizen science initiatives, or guided tours might be appropriate for achieving educational objectives. If creating a sense of community is important to you, plan activities such as picnics or group projects. Utilise digital platforms to create virtual experiences that will appeal to tech-savvy consumers and broaden your audience. By coordinating these components, you can make sure that your outreach is interesting and has a purpose.

Your local park and recreation department is an excellent resource for creating nature-based outreach programs. 1. Public-Private Partnership: If the mission and values of your organization are similar, there are likely opportunities to partner with your local park and recreation department to offer nature-based programs and services. 2. Sponsorship of existing programs: Your local recreation department likely offers outdoor programs for individuals of all ages. You may be able to sponsor these programs or purchase advertising. 3. Park and Facility Rentals: You can rent outdoor spaces, pavilions, or facilities to offer classes or hold events. You can also inquire about permits to provide ongoing programs or classes in public spaces.

Twice a year; April and September, Kingman Cares partners with other organizations and the city to provide an opportunity for everyone to come out and join in a clean city event. Everyone meets up together in the morning get supplies and identify their clean up area. We all split up and go clean up the city, a great time in fresh air, fellowship and fun while we gather up trash and help make our city beautiful. At the end of the event the trash bags are collected and counted, the number of volunteers are counted and the event is assessed.

The outcome of the City Clean up event is pretty clear, it can be seen looking around town, it is felt in community pride and it shows value in the community. It is assessed in how many individuals and groups come out and participate, and how many bags of trash are collected.

Maintain the connection beyond the program through follow-up communication, ongoing support, and opportunities for continued engagement to sustain the positive impact on public health.

Empowering the communities on resources mobilization and sustainable use. By so do doing groups are encouraged to save natural resources while benefitting from them. They too participate in climate resilience activities that help global adoption and emissions reduction.

We are using a new sustainable nature walking trail called The Pekoe Trail in Sri Lanka’s central mountains, to create new green economic growth opportunities to rural communities through new tourism footfall. This is a real life nature-community economy success story in the making

One way to create engaging outreach using nature is through nature walks. Who doesn't like a great stroll through a scenic park? For example, Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey has an annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The beauty alone is mesmerizing and very engaging. It will encourage curiosity and the desire to further explore what the park has to offer. Don't forget to record your observations!

In my experience, I worked with a group of individuals struggling with anxiety and depression, and we implemented an outdoor toolkit that included nature-based activities like guided forest walks. Through these walks, participants connected with the natural environment, engaging in mindfulness exercises and sharing their experiences in a supportive group setting. This allowed them to find solace in the beauty of the outdoors, reduce stress, and build a sense of community with others facing similar challenges. Nature served as a therapeutic gateway for healing, fostering a sense of belonging, and empowering participants to overcome their mental health obstacles.

In my experience volunteering at Marvin Gaye Community Farm in Washington, DC, people get a chance to plant, harvest and take home fresh produce in an area that is a food desert. In addition, there are weekly no cost yoga and sound bath classes which helps the mind, body and spirit.

It’s important that the nature sites you select invoke good feeling and memories for your stakeholders. Scenery like music has the power to invoke memory and we want to ensure the ones associated to our program are positive ones.