Thank you for supporting NHH-UT and following along as we expand our efforts and engagement this year throughout the Wasatch Front and beyond. This newsletter looks a little different as we expand our modes of communication for fostering connection and collaboration. You will see the newsletter is split between 3 sections: 1) NHH-UT updates 2) featured research and 3) community partner updates. We are always open to suggestions and ways to improve our communication, you can do so by reaching out to Charlotte Mungovan at charlotte.mungovan@utah.edu

NHH-UT Updates:

Landscape Assessment

Throughout the summer of 2023, NHH-UT met with 27 organizations to learn more about the state of nature and human health in Utah, what challenges and gaps are being experienced, and the suggestions community leaders have for NHH-UT. The results of this landscape assessment has guided our strategic planning process, during which we identified 4 guiding strategic priorities:

• NHH-UT should be a networking hub that connects people within NHH-UT and in the field of nature and health. 

• NHH-UT should disseminate NHH information and opportunities (e.g., papers, articles, presentations, op-eds, reports, briefs) 

• NHH-UT should engage in research directly and indirectly (e.g., pilot grants, conference presentations, collaborations with other researchers, publish papers) 

• NHH-UT should develop and sustain the organizational capacity to serve Utah, our membership, and the world at large. 

This January, we have returned to our conversations with the 27 interviewees to share our findings and ensure that we are on the same page with the requests from the community. To read the full report and overview, please head to our website.

February Member Meeting:

Introducing our monthly blog!

We will be covering all things nature and human health. From museum visits and community organization interviews to personal anecdotes, this space will be personal, casual, and fun! Our Program Assistant, Charlotte, was able to check out the Natural History Museum of Utah and dissertate the Jane Goodall Exhibit, as well as the Climate of Hope exhibit. Check out the blog post below!

Directory Form

To promote collaboration and partnership in organizations working in (either directly or in encourage community organizations working in nature and human health related fields to fill out our directory form. This gives us a chance to know a little bit more about each other and use for networking/collaborations. You can find that form here.

Featured Research:

NHH-UT crafted the following Q&A to simplify the above article (McDonnell and Strayer, 2024) for the general public, generating key research questions and their corresponding answers from the designated publication to highlight key elements of the publication and enhance accessibility of the findings.

Q: What is the large area of nature and human health being addressed in this paper?

A:  The relationship between nature exposure and human health, specifically on how nature walks and time outdoor positively impact cognitive functions and executive control.

Q: What specific question is being posed?

A: Do nature walks, compared to urban walks, have a differential effect on executive control and attention restoration?

Q: What approach did the researcher use?

A: A highly controlled, randomized trial with a substantial sample size (92 participants) of healthy adults, larger compared to previous research in the Attention Restoration Theory literature. The study design was both within- and between-subject through a mixed design study.

Q: What methods (e.g., survey, observation) were applied?

A: Participants engaged in a demographic survey, and a cognitive task to deplete their cognitive resources, took a nature or urban walk, and then provided feedback on their experience. Participants’ cognitive resources were measured by wearing an EEG (electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures electrical activity in the brain) cap and electrodes.

Q: What did they learn, what was the answer to the question posed?

A: Both nature and urban walks improved alertness on a behavioral level. However, only the nature walk enhanced the magnitude of the ERN (error-related negativity (ERN) is associated with the brain's response to errors during cognitive tasks) suggesting improvement of executive control (executive control is essentially the brain's CEO, overseeing and directing cognitive functions to help us navigate daily tasks and challenges effectively) in participants that walked in the natural environment.

Q: What is the importance of this work, how did it advance the field?

A:  This study stands apart from previous research because of the sample size and the methods used, and contributes to the understanding of how nature exposure affects cognitive functions, particularly executive control. It advances the field by providing empirical evidence of the restorative effects of nature on neural mechanisms related to attention.

Q: What research or practice does this lead to next?

A: Further research should determine the optimal dosage and types of nature exposure for maximizing cognitive benefits.  The duration of these effects, how different natural environments (e.g., forests, mountains, urban environments) impact cognition differently should be explored.

Community Partner Updates:

Community Events

Didn’t get the chance to join in on a community event last month? Don’t sweat it, here is another curated list for the month of February. Check it out and see if something catches your eye!

If you have any other questions or would like to be featured in the next monthly newsletter, reach out to our Program Assistant. Charlotte.mungovan@utah.edu

Division of Outdoor Recreation Grants

The 2024 Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) application is now open until March 15th 2024. This year, state and federal agencies can now apply for UORG: (Regional Asset, Teir 1, Mini-Grant).

Here are the UORG programs offered for 2024:
Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) – Tier 1is for new outdoor recreation infrastructure projects and helps communities build recreation amenities that support local economic development and funds projects from $15,001-$200,000.

UORG Regional Asset Tierfunds up to $750,000 for large projects with a total value of at least $3 million. For rural counties, a 1:1 match is sufficient.

Recreation Restoration Infrastructure Grant (RRI)funds are awarded to restore high-use and high-priority trails or repair or replace other types of developed recreation infrastructure on public lands. RRI grants are offered from $5,000-$150,000.

UORG Mini-Grantis ideal for smaller projects. The grant awards funds between $500-$15,000. If your project requires only a small investment to complete your project, the mini-grant may be a good fit.

Utah Outdoor Classroom Grantawards up to $15,000 to community-based non-profit organizations or publicly funded K-12 schools to help get Utah’s K-12 students outside— to learn, gain a skill, and enjoy the outdoors!
 

Organizational Updates

We are beginning to integrate a a monthly “round-up” into our newsletters. This is an amazing opportunity for our community organizations to share information to other community members and organization. You can find the form here, or on our website under blank. Below are the organizational updates for February.

Wasatch Mountain Institute

WMI's SnowSchool programming is in full swing at the Jordanelle State Park! This 2024 winter season we are hosting more than 800 5th grade students to join our outdoor educators. Students learn all about our watershed, snow-water equivalency, why our snow forms layers, and all about the critters that live outside in our winter wonderland. We spend the day doing hands-on experiential learning: digging snow pits, snowshoeing around looking for animal tracks, and of course playing in the snow by building watershed models. As we are nearing the halfway point through our season we are looking forward to the second half and continuing to pray for snow!

This spring we will be running two kayak pilot programs! We are partnering with the Tracy Aviary's Jordan River Nature Center who are hosting us and the students. We are excited to paddle around the Jordan River and get our students up close with nature and watershed education.

We are also currently planning next years Camping in Color program. For information on the last CiC program see here.

If you are interested in our coming program please fill out an interest form.

Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation

We invite you to join us May 13-15, 2024, for the inaugural Mountain West Trails Conference at the Uintah Conference Center in Vernal, Utah. Over two days, the conference unites trail advocates, volunteers, land managers, industry professionals, users, and community leaders from the Mountain West states. Together, we’ll tackle trail-related challenges, share innovative ideas, and participate in engaging workshops. The conference provides a unique platform to shape the future of trails in the region, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange that will drive the trail experience forward.

Join us as we convene to celebrate our shared passion for trails, address key issues, and cultivate a vibrant community of trail enthusiasts. The Mountain West Trails Conference is where connections are made, ideas flourish, and collective action sparks positive change for the trails we cherish. 

Conference Information

Central Wasatch Commission Youth Council

The Central Wasatch Commission started a Youth Council last year and is seeking applicants. The Central Wasatch Commission Youth Council is an opportunity for young people (ages 16-30) to participate with the Central Wasatch Commission as it addresses transportation, economic, recreation, and environmental issues in the Central Wasatch Mountains. Application link.

Save Our Canyons

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) issued the Record of Decision (ROD) in July identifying Gondola Alternative B with Phased Implementation as the selected alternative for Little Cottonwood Canyon. UDOT will move forward in phases, starting with enhanced bus service and ending with the world’s longest gondola up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Full implementation of Gondola B depends on available funding. Support the protection of Little Cottonwood Canyon by donating to today to support our litigation strategy.

On Monday, December 11, Save Our Canyons filed a lawsuit against UDOT and the Forest Service challenging the decision to build a gondola in LCC, represented by our outstanding counsel at the public interest law firm Eubanks & Associates, PLLC and with local representation ably provided by Joel Ban.

Save Our Canyons has observed (and has evidence of) what we deem to be violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, and possibly even violations of environmental and administrative laws. 

More Information

Tracy Aviary and the Jordan River Nature Center

The Aviary and Nature Center have a few events coming up, a few are highlighted a couple below but also added links to our calendars so folks can see what else is going on. 

• Looking for a fun and unique Valentine’s experience? Join us for the first Birds and Brew of 2024 which celebrates ya know….love… but with a twist! Details here.

• Family Nature Club: February 1st, 15th, 29th at 3:30pm at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai

• Winter Waterfowl Discovery Day: February 17th from 9am-2pm at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai

• Birds and Bees: February 8th from 6-9pm at Tracy Aviary, Tickets Required

Website links:

Birds and Brew: The Birds and Bees - Liberty Park (tracyaviary.org)

Events at Jordan River Nature Center's Tracy Aviary