NHH-UT Updates

Nature and Human Health Utah hosted it’s first member meeting last week at the Chase Mill and were thrilled to celebrate and introduce the 9 pilot grant recipients for the 2024-2025 grant period. To learn more about the projects, click here!

March is full of new opportunities and sustaining the projects we have already been working on. Below are some key updates for events happening this month, we invite you to attend the TWO events on 3/21- a Town Hall meeting to explore the possiblity of a more established nature and health research collaborative at the University of Utah and the evening walk with Kate Magaral to learn more about the relationship between Dark Skies and human health. As always, if you have suggestions for us or would like to partner, please reach out to Myra at myra.gerst@utah.edu.

Support Maggie’s work and help improve decker lake!

Upcoming NHH-UT Events!

Nature and Health Community Fair!

In collaboration with University Neighborhood Partners and thanks to Salt Lake City’s ACE Fund funding, NHH-UT will host its inaugural Nature and Health Community Fair on 7/23. This event aims to promote the many ways to get outside and increase outdoor access. If you’d like to partner with us for this event or would like to learn more, click here or reach out to myra.gerst@utah.edu.

Research Updates

Introducing NHH-UT’s monthly research brief! This month focus on policy recommendations for increasing access to nature.

Virtual Reality for senior citizens well being

Stepping out on a nature trail in the mountains can be invigorating for both the mind and body, but not everyone can make it to a trailhead or the peak. Older adults may be homebound or limited in their mobility – potentially preventing them from accessing a valuable resource to support their mental and physical health late in life.

A team of researchers at Colorado State University is working to better understand the potential health benefits they may be missing out on and how a carefully crafted virtual reality environment could be leveraged instead of the real thing to help lower stress and improve cognitive ability. Their early work collecting data on campus in fall 2023 could inform future research into the topic.

Community Updates

Want to be featured in our next newsletter? Fill out our Monthly Roundup form and share your community organization’s ongoing efforts with us!

Wasatch Adaptive Sports

contact: eileen@wasatchadaptivesports.org

WAS is hosting it’s 38th annual HGGC Steve Young Ski Classic on Saturday, March 9, 2024. Limited sponsorship opportunities are available, as well as a silent auction that is open to anyone who would like to participate.

Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter

contact: swanerecocenter@usu.edu

Snow is vital to life on earth. This hands-on science exhibition is about the nature and wonder of snow and the impact of climate change on our snowy planet. The highly interactive and immersive exhibition follows snow’s journey from tiny crystals to vast winter landscapes to abundant spring snowmelt. Guests explore how snow shapes and sustains life on Earth, snow’s vital role in sustaining our water supply and cooling our planet, and the cultural and personal value of snow.

More info here!

Join us for a nature walk on the Preserve with one of Swaner's naturalists! We will explore wetland science, natural plant and animal species, and the history of the Swaner Preserve. When there is snow on the Preserve, nature walks take place on snowshoes.
Pre-registration is required for all Saturday Nature Morning Walks. Walk-ins are not available at this time and all tours are capped at 15 participants. Registration closes at 7:00 am the day of the scheduled nature walk.

Check out PBS Utah’s Inclusive Outdoors | Roots, Race & Culture!