November Newsletter

Nature and Human Health Utah November Newsletter

Welcome to November! October was a busy month for NHH-UT between our campus visit to Southern Utah University, presenting at the Glendale Community Council meeting, tabling at the West Valley City fall festival, and hosting our Second Annual Nature and Health Symposium! Thank you to everyone who attended one of these events and we are looking forward to connecting with you again in the near future. November is an opportunity to rest and retreat, with shorter days and the holiday season upon us. We encourage you to find ways to connect with nature during this time of year and ensure you are getting enough sunlight and fresh air when you can! An old article from NHH-UT highlights the ways in which you can connect with nature even during the colder months which can be found here!

NHH-UT Updates

November Blog: Meet the Utah Researcher Looking at How Nature Exposure Impacts the Brain

Hallie Rose

This month, we spoke with Dr. Amy McDonnell, a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Cognition and Neural Science at the University of Utah. Amy’s research explores how nature exposure benefits our mental

NHH-UT is excited to announce a new feature of our website, the collaboration hub! Inspired from a presentation at the Connected Communities Summit, the collaboration hub is a way for NHH-UT to initiate collaboration and partnership amongst our members. On the website, you will see project ideas that others have already submitted. If you’re interested in collaborating on a project you see listed, fill out the form below the project title and we will put you in contact with the person who submitted the project idea. If you’d like to add a new project idea to the website, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we will add your project to the website. We hope this will facilitate new projects and collaborations across the state!

Southern Utah University

In early October, Nature and Human Health Utah visited Southern Utah University, meeting with campus representatives and community members. Hosted by Kelly Goonan and Danielle Dubrasky, we held two luncheons (one campus-focused and one for the community), a public presentation, and three guest lectures, connecting with over 150 people. We made valuable connections with Southern Utah researchers and practitioners and left inspired by the region’s nature and health initiatives. Thank you, Danielle and Kelly, for making this visit possible—we look forward to future collaborations in Cedar City!

Second Annual Nature and Health Symposium

Thank you to all who attended and presented at NHH-UT’s Second Annual Symposium! It was wonderful to connect, hear from keynote Nikki Smith, and learn about our pilot grant projects. We look forward to next year’s event and more networking opportunities. For those who missed it, you can review the summary and highlights here.

Volunteer Spotlight

Hallie Rose is an artist and writer from Salt Lake City who recently returned after a decade in Austin, TX. She enjoys reading, swimming in wild waters, walking in nature, and drinking tea. At 36, Hallie earned her first bachelor’s degree in psychology and is now pursuing graduate studies to become a therapist. This fall, she and her partner are excited to welcome their first child. Hallie is drawn to Nature and Human Health (NHH) because it aligns with her love for the outdoors and her justice- and ecology-centered values. Her research focuses on the mental health benefits of nature and the impacts of environmental destruction. She looks forward to exploring these themes in her future therapy practice and writing, making her contributions to the NHH blog a perfect fit.

Research Updates

Written by our Program Manager, Myra Gerst, this month’s research brief focuses on research recommendations for green space equity initiatives through policy change.

View Research Brief

Economic Benefits of Green Schoolyards

A new report highlights the economic benefits of nature-filled schoolyards, showing gains in property taxes, student achievement, children’s long-term health, and environmental sustainability. Communities can use this data to advocate for investments in green schoolyards, supporting economic, health, and climate resilience efforts. The National League of Cities and Children & Nature Network recently hosted a discussion on the report, “How Green Schoolyards Create Economic Value,” featuring author Rob Grunewald and insights from experts. Watch and share the recording with community leaders and budget decision-makers.

Watch the recording

Community Updates

John Lin, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Associate Director of the Wilkes Center, has 20+ years of experience in greenhouse gas research, with over 100 publications. A 2022 Earth Leadership Fellow, he collaborates globally and leads air quality studies in Salt Lake and the Uinta Basin. Recently, he served on the Great Salt Lake Strike Team to support policy decisions. Lin holds AB, AM, and PhD degrees from Harvard.

Help us improve Utah’s air quality! Take UCAIR's quick survey to help shape upcoming programs and initiatives. As a thank you, you'll be entered to win a $50 gift certificate or an electric EGO leaf blower!

Survey

Tracy Aviary’s Conservation Science Program focuses on conserving birds and their habitats through community science and local avian ecology. We are looking for a Conservation Outreach Ecologist I to enhance our community science initiatives. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, Tracy Aviary (www.tracyaviary.org) is an AZA-accredited institution, and our Nature Center at Pia Okwai, opened in 2020, supports our mission to inspire curiosity about birds and nature. The role involves fieldwork at both the Aviary and the Nature Center.

WCG has two positions available to promote healthy food access. The Sponsorship & Corporate Giving Director will build relationships with sponsors and corporate donors to support fundraising efforts, with applications closing on November 8. The Events & Outreach Manager will oversee events and community engagement, with applications due by November 27.

November Community Events

Here are three events we're most excited for this November!

Star Party
Join Tracy Aviary and Clark Planetarium on November 8th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM for a celebration of dark skies and their importance to both humans and birds! Enjoy an evening filled with stargazing, crafts, and the cozy ambiance of a fire pit while roasting marshmallows and making s'mores. This is a perfect opportunity to discover the wonders of the night sky and learn about migrating birds.

Trash Pick Up
Make a difference on November 9th from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM by helping us clean up the Jordan River Parkway Trail! Our goal is to remove 100 pounds of trash from the watershed by 2025, and we’re currently at just 5 pounds. Join our staff in this vital urban habitat cleanup and enjoy warm drinks to celebrate your efforts at the end!

Greenhouse Tour
Interested in plants? Join us on November 15th from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM for a tour of the greenhouse at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai. One of our experienced horticulturists will guide you through the greenhouse's infrastructure, discuss future plans, and answer any of your plant-related questions.

Be sure to click below for a full list of November events!

All November Events