This resource offers a comprehensive, research-informed toolkit designed to help individuals, families, schools, and communities intentionally integrate nature into everyday life, with measurable wellbeing benefits.
Read on for more information, and explore the full resource here: DISCOVER Nature Prescriptions.
What’s Inside the Toolkit?
The downloadable PDF includes four key components:
1. The Science of Nature and Wellbeing
The resource explains the research behind “nature prescriptions,” including evidence that spending at least 120 minutes per week in nature is linked to improved mood, reduced anxiety, enhanced focus, stronger immune function, and greater life satisfaction (see pages 2-4).
It also introduces:
- Research on “nature-deficit disorder” (Richard Louv)
- Evidence linking nature connectedness to happiness
- The Five Pathways to Nature Connectedness:
Senses, Emotions, Beauty, Meaning, and Compassion (pages 3 & 15)
Importantly, the resource highlights benefits for diverse learners, including improved sensory regulation, focus, and emotional wellbeing for autistic individuals and those with learning differences (page 4).
2. A Structured Positive Intervention
Nature Prescriptions is framed as a repeatable, evidence-based positive intervention (page 5).
Participants are guided to:
- Design a personalized 120-minute-per-week nature plan
- Track minutes spent outdoors
- Reflect on wellbeing using a PERMA+ Snapshot
- Continue the practice for six weeks
This makes the resource especially useful for:
- Wellbeing committees
- Advisory periods
- SEL integration
- Staff wellbeing initiatives
3. Ready-to-Use Classroom Materials
For educators, the PDF includes a full Unit Study Pack (page 10), featuring:
- Nature Connection reflection sheets
- Modified versions for different developmental levels
- A “Wild Time Tracker”
- A 24 x 36 poster of the Five Pathways
- Nature BINGO
- A Nature Treasure Hunt
- A “My Nature Prescription” planning sheet
- A Thank You Postcard to Nature
These printable resources make it easy to integrate nature-based wellbeing practices into primary, middle, or secondary classrooms.
4. Whole-School & Community Ideas
The resource extends beyond the classroom (pages 24-25), offering ideas such as:
- Nature Prescription Breaks during the school day
- A School-Wide Nature Challenge
- Outdoor mindfulness moments
- Nature-themed bulletin boards
- Community hikes or “Nature for Happiness” events
- Newsletter spotlights on local green spaces
These suggestions align beautifully with whole-school wellbeing frameworks and positive education initiatives.
Why This Matters for Education
Students today are spending less time outdoors than previous generations. At the same time, schools are navigating rising rates of stress, attention challenges, and mental health concerns. This toolkit offers simple, accessible, research-backed interventions that:
- Enhances focus and cognitive performance
- Increases positive emotions like awe and gratitude
- Builds resilience and emotional regulation
- Strengthens prosocial behavior and cooperation
- Cultivates environmental stewardship
Most importantly, it reminds us that flourishing does not always require something new! Sometimes it requires stepping outside.
A Small Shift, A Big Impact
Nature is not reserved for national parks or wilderness retreats. The resource emphasizes that even small doses — like sitting by a window, tending to a plant, cloud-watching, or taking a 10-minute walk — can meaningfully support wellbeing.
For school communities committed to positive education and embedding wellbeing, this toolkit provides ideas for both the why and the how.
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