Case Studies

Below are a series of case studies about designed projects and programs that connect people with nature. To search design projects, click on case studies called PLACE. For programs, click on case studies called PROGRAMS. We hope you will look at all the incredible case studies that prioritize nature and health.

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A butterfly garden is in full bloom with bright pink, red, and white native plants and wildflowers. The Garden Club has high hopes that this garden becomes a haven for pollinators for many years.

Program

Garden Club at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center

Chicago, IL

GRuB’s famous sign stands tall above thick, bright foliage. Its unique design reflects the shape of a sunflower, with GRuB’s logo placed proudly in the center. Behind the sign are rustling trees; a glimpse of a building’s orange rooftop can be seen between the leaves.

Program

Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB)

Olympia, WA

Surrounded by an abundance of green, a participant reaches up to carefully inspect a particular branch of leaves during one of Tremont’s herpetology SANCP classes.

Program

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont

Townsend, TN

A participant in the National Experiential Learning Program does field work in a grassy plain spotted with flowers at Grand Teton National Park under a blue sky. Behind them in the distance is a vast mountain range.

Program

Groundwork USA's National Experiential Learning Program

Yonkers, NY

Six people stand around the vegetable beds in the garden. In the background, there is a low building as well as a large fully leafed out tree overhanging the plants that provides shade.

Program

Guam Green Growth Hagåtña Community Garden

Hagåtña, GU

Two people with their backs to the camera have blankets draped across their backs and are looking at bombed out buildings while standing on a patch of grass.

Program

Helping Ukraine Heal Through Nature-Based Programs

Bainbridge Island, WA

Outside in the snow, a participant faces the camera and grins as he points to the back of his peer’s jacket, which boasts the Hoods to Woods logo.

Program

Hoods to Woods

Brooklyn, NY

A child in a blue shirt and a child in a red shirt are playing the game Twister outdoors, on a surface of dried grass and leaves.

Program

Integrative OT

Birmingham, AL

A young adult scales a steep rock face. The student is tethered by a rope and smiles at the camera with a sprawling forest below the cliff they are climbing.

Program

Kismet Rock Foundation

North Conway, NH

A group of participants pose with their arms up for a sunny picture in Belmar Park. Behind them is a vast lake surrounded by lush greenery.

Program

Live By Living

Lakewood, CO

A group of participants gather closely to pose for a photo. Some people sit on wooden benches while others stand behind them. The scenery around them is full of green, as there are verdant trees behind them and tall wild grass surrounding them. The participants convey their admiration of the land through wide smiles.

Program

Nearby Nature MKE

Milwaukee, WI

A man wearing a helmet and a green shirt rides an adaptive cycle on a forest trail. The trees and leaves are blurry, showing the speed of the cyclist.

Program

North Carolina Adapted Sports – Adapted Off-Road Cycling Program

Cary, NC

A participant in bright orange winter gear gleefully slides down a steep, snowy slope on a mono ski.

Program

Ogden Valley Adaptive

Ogden, UT

An Outdoor Afro participant stands on a mossy rock in the middle of a river and casts a fishing line. Surrounding the river bank are more mossy rocks and forest undergrowth.

Program

Outdoor Afro

Oakland, CA

Three children explore a creek, standing on rocks above the low water. They are working on balance, coordination, and building self-confidence in nature. In the background, trees are beginning to leaf out in front of a bright blue sky, and an adult explores further up the creek.

Program

Outdoor Kids Occupational Therapy, Inc.

Berkeley, CA; Oakland, CA; Madison, WI

A young girl with pink hair rappels down a rock face using rope. The girl is wearing blue jeans and a helmet.

Program

Outdoor Outreach

San Diego, CA

A group of people in summer clothes are standing with nearby ambulatory aids such as crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers. Two people are holding croquet mallets, with one leaning over and preparing to hit the yellow ball.

Program

Outdoor Rehabilitation for Everyone at Unicare Bakke

Halden, Norway

Six POCO members stand along a brick outcrop to take a picture in front of a mountain landscape. The Wallowas stretch far into the horizon behind them, and clouds blanket the blue sky.

Program

People of Color Outdoors

Portland, OR

A young participant shows excitement for the bike ride; he is accompanied by a program staff wearing a neon vest.

Program

Portland Wheelers

Portland, ME

A cyclist rides a bike along a forest trail, which is bordered by thick, green trees that give way to deeper forestry. The cyclist looks ahead to scout the trail before them; they also wear a bright yellow helmet and gloves for safety.

Program

Richmond Cycling Corps

Richmond, VA

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