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.

Submit a Case Study

Categories
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

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

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

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

A group of people are kayaking down the CA Delta. The water itself is calm aside from the ripples caused by the kayaks. The blue sky above boasts no traces of clouds, promising a sunny day ahead for the participants.

Program

Saved By Nature

Campbell, CA

A large group of participants line up for a photo at the edge of a hill. They are all dressed in biking gear and have their arms thrown up in the air as a sign of triumph; some also have bikes by their sides. The background is a beautiful shot of a vast canyon, with rolling green hills that disappear far into the horizon. The clear sky overhead is lit up by a bright sun.

Program

The Cycle Effect - Building Belonging on Bikes

Eagle, CO

A young child stands smiling, ankle-deep in the shallow seasonal creek, holding a jug from which he pours. Behind him, a large log bridges the water, foliage draped across it.

Program

Treeline Enrichment, LLC

Plant City, FL

Program participants and the Hunters of Color & Holla Mentors stand together to pose for a picture during an outdoor archery activity.

Program

Urban Nature Partners PDX

Portland, OR

Multiple people are walking in small groups along a tree-lined path, many are wearing blue Walk with a Doc t-shirts, and all are smiling.

Program

Walk with a Doc

Columbus, OH

A large group of people sit barefoot or in socks on towels and yoga mats while in a sitting yoga pose. The people are sitting among coniferous trees in a forest as the sky begins to darken.

Program

We Explore Earth Monthly Programming

San Gabriel, CA

Young child in blue rain suit and green knitted cap sitting in a mud puddle smiling widely.

Program

Well Wilderness Kids Therapeutic NaturePlay Center

Olathe, KS

A large group of participants express their excitement at the start of a backpacking trip. Trees and distant mountains fill the horizon behind them.

Program

Wild Hearts Idaho

Boise, ID

A large group of students smile while paddling their canoe during a Canoemobile program in the Twin Cities. Behind them is lush greenery that lines the edge of the lake.

Program

Wilderness Inquiry

Bloomington, MN

If you’d like to request any changes to a case study for a design project or program, please use the appropriate link below.

Update a Design ProjectUpdate a Program