NHH-UT August Newsletter

Nature and Human Health Utah August Newsletter

We have a lot of exciting things coming up this month! Aside from the rescheduled Nature and Health Fair coming up on August 13th, NHH-UT will be attending the Outdoor Recreation Summit in Bryce Canyon on August 27th and 28th. We hope to see you this month!

NHH-UT Updates

In case you missed it! The Nature and Health Community Fair has been RESCHEDULED and will now take place on Tuesday, August 13th from 6-8pm at Sherwood Park. Activities include pot painting 🎨, a gear giveaway, outdoor yoga sessions, solar telescope explorations 🔭, nature journaling 📓, nature scavenger hunts 🌿, and a variety of arts and crafts activities! Whether you’re interested in learning about the health benefits of nature or exploring new ways to connect with the natural world, this fair is perfect for all ages and interests.

📅 New Date: August 13th
🕒 Time: 6 PM - 8 PM
📍 New Location: Sherwood Park

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August blog post

Staying Connected to Nature: Back to School Edition

Going back to school can be a stressful time for any student. In this blog, we explore the benefits of spending time outside throughout the school year for both your cognitive and mental health, and

Pre-Register Here

Research Updates

Research Brief: Check out NHH-UT’s latest research brief prepared by program intern, Owen Watkins. The brief explores the benefits of nature prescriptions and the best ways to implement them.

2022 Pilot Grant Recipient, Joanna Bettmann Schaefer, recently published findings in Ecopsychology which highlights a meta-analysis focused on the short-term mental health benefits of spending time in nature.

Read article here

Read KSL article

Webinar: Research Updates from the Center for Health and Nature. Join NHA and Texas A&M’s Jay Maddock as he shares updates from recent research initiatives coming from the Center for Health and Nature.

More information

The Applied Cognition Lab at the University of Utah, in partnership with Red Butte Garden, is offering an exciting opportunity to participate in a fun and simple study. This is a unique chance to contribute to important research and enjoy the beauty of Red Butte Garden. Participants will be compensated for their time.

Interested? Email appliedcognitionlabeeg@gmail.com to learn more and enroll!

Community Updates

Explore the latest updates from the organizations listed below! For questions or to be featured in our community updates, contact Owen Watkins at owen.watkins@utah.edu.

University Neighborhood Partners is hiring an Environmental Justice Partnership Manager!

This is a 1.5 year grant-funded benefited position that may be extended with future funding opportunities. Under the direction of University Neighborhood Partners staff and working closely with the Salt Lake City Sustainability Department, the Environmental Justice Partnership Manager will serve as the main point of contact at University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) for Salt Lake City’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) activities, which are funded through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Apply Here

Intermountain Community Care Foundation:

Application Deadlines: February 1 to March 1 and August 1 to September 1

Geographic Scope: Utah and southeast Idaho (Cassia and Minidoka Counties)

Description: Grants are available to community-based organizations, including nonprofits and public agencies, to improve healthcare access and promote healthy behaviors for low-income and medically underrepresented populations.

For more information and to apply, visit the Intermountain Community Care Foundation's website.

Project Eco SLC

✨New resource alert!✨ Project Eco SLC’s new community event calendar is up and running on our website! This calendar highlights the different environmental events happening in Salt Lake Valley and will be updated regularly. You can find the calendar on our website at https://projectecoslc.omeka.net/calendar. Do you know of a community event that should be added to the calendar? Send us a message so we can add it!

HEAL Utah presents: Demon Mineral Film Screening & Panel Discussion on August 7th

Join HEAL Utah and the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake for a special screening of the eye-opening documentary film, Demon Mineral. This powerful film explores the devastating impact of the uranium industry on communities and landscapes. Through personal stories, expert interviews, and compelling visuals, Demon Mineral sheds light on the often overlooked consequences of uranium mining and milling on the Navajo Nation and in the region.

Date: August 7
Time: Doors at 5:00 pm, screening at 6 pm, panel discussion follows
Location: Urban Indian Center, 120 W 1300 S St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Ticket: Free!

If you’re interesting in volunteering, please fill out this form.

Volunteer Opportunity with Sageland Collaborative

Sageland Collaborative's Riverscape Restoration program has over 20 volunteer events scheduled August through October. Join us in restoring wildlife habitat ss we plant hundreds of wetland plant species and build beaver dam-like structures. Learn more about these events, and why mimicking beavers is beneficial at sagelandcollaborative.org/riverscape-restoration. Volunteer events are each about 1h driving from the Wasatch Front and require working with hand tools (clippers, shovels) and walking in and around streams. All tools and equipment provided, including boots and waders.

Sageland Collaborative can accommodate groups of up to 25 people for each event. Reach out to Rose Smith and Jens Ammon (rose@sagelandcollab.org, jens@sagelandcollab.org) about group sign-ups or any other questions.

August Community Events

As August unfolds, dive into these exciting community gatherings! Bring your friends or family and join us for these fantastic events:

Let’s Go Botanize Together!
Join Tracy Aviary educators and horticulturists for a fun and educational plant exploration in the Wasatch. Open to LGBTQIA+ and allies, this event requires no prior experience—just bring your curiosity, dress for the weather, and come ready to learn.
2024 Wednesday Walk-Throughs: Harmony Park Community Garden
Explore gardening successes and challenges at Harmony Park Community Garden with our educators. This informal walk-through offers insights into various projects and a chance to ask questions. Light refreshments will be served.
SLC's Downtown Farmers Market
Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere at Pioneer Park's Downtown Farmers Market, featuring over 100 local vendors, fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and the Downtown Art and Craft Market. Live music and a community vibe make this a must-visit every Saturday.

All August Events