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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Two youths and two adults proudly hold up fishing poles as they stand on a wooden dock overlooking the lake on a partly sunny day. A forest surrounds the lakes’ borders in the background, with deep green trees lining the horizon. Everyone smiles for the picture, and the two youths are giving a thumbs-up sign.

Program

Baztec Fishing & Outdoors

Minneapolis, MN

Four sticks are bound together by twine, creating a frame around pink-colored leaves and pink paper hearts that say “I LOVE YOU MOM” in a child’s handwriting.

Program

Bearfoot Occupational Therapy

San Francisco, CA

Six individuals wear helmets and life vests and hold paddles while riding in an inflatable raft. The raft is in water that is white with churning waves and flows through a rocky landscape.

Program

Beyond Boundaries

Richmond, VA

A group of youth participants diligently march in a line with their backpacking gear along a sunny mountain trail, which is dense with green foliage and speckled with yellow and white wildflowers.Towering deep green pine trees fill the horizon behind the participants.

Program

Big City Mountaineers

Arvada, CO

Six participants in hiking gear pose for the camera while making the numbers and letters C5LA with their hands. The scenery behind them is a desert terrain, filled with greenery despite the heat.

Program

C5LA

Los Angeles, CA

Undeterred, a large group of students are gathered for a picture outside in the rain in a wooded area, some beneath umbrellas and others getting wet.

Program

Campus Nature Rx Network

Throughout the US

A young boy with blonde hair sits in a small plastic sled in a shallow stream surrounded by lush foliage. Holding a stick and wearing a red shirt and black pants he is enjoying an outdoor adventure.

Program

ConnectByNature Therapy Services

Fenwick, ON

The gated entrance to DUG’s community garden. A canopy of green leaves hangs above the gate like an awning.

Program

Denver Urban Gardens (DUG)

Denver, CO

An overhead photo of an Elevate Youth member outdoor rock climbing at Hammond Pond looking toward the top of the route and smiling.

Program

Elevate Youth

Boston, MA

Seed Crew students diligently plow a row of soil in preparation for seed planting at Conundrum Farms. Lined up behind them are other already plowed rows. In the background are tall trees and a farm building; the sky above them is cloudy, which offers plenty of shade.

Program

FunkyTown Food Project

Crowley, TX

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

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

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 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

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

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 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

Adults and youth stand by a rock dam built inside a dirt path with grass on the sides and trees in the background.

Program

River Source: Watershed Restoration with New Mexico Youth and Communities

Santa Fe, NM

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