Nature Rx Day on November 4th, 2026 offers many activities to highlight how engagement with nature can reduce stress, improve well-being, and strengthen community connections.
Since Nature Rx Day falls on National Stress Awareness Day, we will explore nature-related practices that:
-reduce stress
-support mental, physical, and spiritual well-being
-strengthen connections
-highlight the growing social prescribing movement.
This campus-wide event will introduce programs, resources, and activities highlighting the connections among nature, health and well-being--especially relevant during this Human Health and Well-Being theme year. Participants will be encouraged to engage with nature in new ways—for their health, research, studies, or enjoyment.
Please sign up to attend using the registration link.
Nature Rx Day will include multiple sessions at various locations on Central Campus in Ann Arbor. Check out the Nature Rx Day registration or webpage for detailed information and signup links.
Schedule of Events:
9:30-11:00am - Nature Walk, The Resiliency of Oaks: Begin your celebration of Nature Rx Day with a guided nature walk and snacks at the Arb!
11:30am-12:00pm - Welcome mixer and introduction to Nature Rx Day: Get to know your fellow nature-lovers with fun activities!
12:15-12:45pm - Virtual webinar, Reconnect and Recharge: Nature's Role in Mental Health: Explore how connecting with nature can reduce stress, improve mood, support emotional regulation, and build resilience. Led by Todd Sevig, PhD, psychologist and university outreach and education coordinator at MBGNA and lecturer, Program on Intergroup Relations. Please register for the webinar to receive the Zoom link.
12:15-12:45pm - Watch party for the webinar: Bring your own lunch and join others to watch the webinar in-person!
1:00-1:45pm - Nature Connection: Exploring the Five Pathways: How can we deepen our connection with the natural world in the middle of a busy campus day? Join Jessa Lytle of Adventure Leadership for a hands-on, reflective experience inspired by five pathways to nature connection.
2:00-2:45pm - Fika at Marsal Education: Join Marsal Education, Nature Rx and MHealthy for a restorative Fika in the School of Education Courtyard. Inspired by the Swedish tradition of pausing over a warm drink and conversation, this open-house gathering invites all U-M community members to slow down, recharge, and connect.
4:00-5:00pm - Nature Engagement, Social Connection and Reducing Stress Panel: Learn about how U-M community members can broaden their nature engagement across all the dimensions of well-being.
5:30-6:30pm - Autumn in Verse, A Poetry Workshop with Caroline Harper New. In this poetry workshop, artist Caroline Harper New will guide a series of writing meditations that ask us to reflect on our relationship to the natural world.
About Nature Rx at Michigan: We're a group of more than 30 volunteers representing 13 different university units who promote the health benefits of spending time in nature. Nature Rx is a collaborating partner of Experience Rx: Social Prescribing at Michigan.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected].
We're grateful to our collaborators for their involvement and support!
Collaborators: Adventure Leadership, Arts Initiative, Experience Rx, LSA Sustainability, Marsal Family School of Education, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, Mental Health Counseling and Consultation Services, MHealthy, Michigan Recreation, Planet Blue Ambassador Program.
This event is supported by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Prescribing.
Since Nature Rx Day falls on National Stress Awareness Day, we will explore nature-related practices that:
-reduce stress
-support mental, physical, and spiritual well-being
-strengthen connections
-highlight the growing social prescribing movement.
This campus-wide event will introduce programs, resources, and activities highlighting the connections among nature, health and well-being--especially relevant during this Human Health and Well-Being theme year. Participants will be encouraged to engage with nature in new ways—for their health, research, studies, or enjoyment.
Please sign up to attend using the registration link.
Nature Rx Day will include multiple sessions at various locations on Central Campus in Ann Arbor. Check out the Nature Rx Day registration or webpage for detailed information and signup links.
Schedule of Events:
9:30-11:00am - Nature Walk, The Resiliency of Oaks: Begin your celebration of Nature Rx Day with a guided nature walk and snacks at the Arb!
11:30am-12:00pm - Welcome mixer and introduction to Nature Rx Day: Get to know your fellow nature-lovers with fun activities!
12:15-12:45pm - Virtual webinar, Reconnect and Recharge: Nature's Role in Mental Health: Explore how connecting with nature can reduce stress, improve mood, support emotional regulation, and build resilience. Led by Todd Sevig, PhD, psychologist and university outreach and education coordinator at MBGNA and lecturer, Program on Intergroup Relations. Please register for the webinar to receive the Zoom link.
12:15-12:45pm - Watch party for the webinar: Bring your own lunch and join others to watch the webinar in-person!
1:00-1:45pm - Nature Connection: Exploring the Five Pathways: How can we deepen our connection with the natural world in the middle of a busy campus day? Join Jessa Lytle of Adventure Leadership for a hands-on, reflective experience inspired by five pathways to nature connection.
2:00-2:45pm - Fika at Marsal Education: Join Marsal Education, Nature Rx and MHealthy for a restorative Fika in the School of Education Courtyard. Inspired by the Swedish tradition of pausing over a warm drink and conversation, this open-house gathering invites all U-M community members to slow down, recharge, and connect.
4:00-5:00pm - Nature Engagement, Social Connection and Reducing Stress Panel: Learn about how U-M community members can broaden their nature engagement across all the dimensions of well-being.
5:30-6:30pm - Autumn in Verse, A Poetry Workshop with Caroline Harper New. In this poetry workshop, artist Caroline Harper New will guide a series of writing meditations that ask us to reflect on our relationship to the natural world.
About Nature Rx at Michigan: We're a group of more than 30 volunteers representing 13 different university units who promote the health benefits of spending time in nature. Nature Rx is a collaborating partner of Experience Rx: Social Prescribing at Michigan.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected].
We're grateful to our collaborators for their involvement and support!
Collaborators: Adventure Leadership, Arts Initiative, Experience Rx, LSA Sustainability, Marsal Family School of Education, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, Mental Health Counseling and Consultation Services, MHealthy, Michigan Recreation, Planet Blue Ambassador Program.
This event is supported by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Prescribing.
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