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

Three BIPOC boys pose together in front of a blue river surrounded by pines.

Program

Braided Seeds

Tukwila, WA

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

During adaptive racing, a CDA staff member guides a participant wearing a racing bib number as they slide down a snowy hill in a bi-ski.

Program

Colorado Discover Ability

Grand Junction, CO

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

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 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

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