NHH-UT June Newsletter

Nature & Human Health Utah June Newsletter

June 2024

June is here and it is finally starting to feel like summer! Summertime not only brings wildflowers and new opportunities to connect with nature, but also a plethora of community engagement events and activities! At NHH-UT we are gearing up for our first-ever Nature and Health Community Fair, which will highlight organizations that are working to increase access to the outdoors and showcase everyday ways to connect with nature. We are eager for this month and all the change that comes with new seasons!

NHH-UT Updates

Mark your calendars for July 30th and join us, University Neighborhood Partners, and more than 15 other organizations at our first-ever Nature and Health Community Fair! Discover simple and accessible ways to connect with nature through various activities hosted by our partners. Interested in participating as a partner? Complete the interest form below to get involved:

Community Fair Interest Form

May Member Meeting

Thank you to our presenters and those who attended our May Member meeting! If you would like to share feedback and suggestions for upcoming events, please fill out the form below.

Feedback Form

June Blog:

Welcome, Owen, to NHH-UT!

Recently, we welcomed Owen Watkins as the new Program Intern for this summer, check out our latest blog where Owen shares in an interview his ambitions for his internship.

Blog

With the arrival of warm weather, check out this brochure to discover simple ways to bridge nature and health, both at home and around the city!

Full Brochure

Decker Lake Project Completion!

At the beginning of this month, Maggie Scholle, NHH-UT’s Environmental Humanities Fellow, completed her Decker Lake Project. The goal of this project was to understand the multiple ways that people use Decker Lake Park. By administering a survey at the park and in surrounding workplaces and community venues, the project sought to answer the following questions:

What aspects of human health (physical, mental, social) are most influenced by time spent at Decker Lake?
What aspects of the park are perceived to positively benefit visitor health?
Are there aspects of the park that users perceive as negatively impacting their health, or preventing them from fully accessing the beneficial aspects of the park?
How might projects at the park work to enhance existing areas of synergy between nature and human health while reducing perceived barriers to positive health outcomes?

Conclusions from the report indicate current park users largely live in West Valley City or work nearby, with small overlap between groups. There is a notable divide in how WVC residents and nonresidents interpret Decker Lake, though they converge on a desire for trees, protection of habitat, and comprehensive, consistent cleanup efforts. Park cleanup, safety, and habitat restoration should be a priority for all future funding and volunteer efforts at Decker Lake. Increased park use does not always align with community desires, especially when concerns of gentrification are raised. Moving forward, public participation should seek to engage the public throughout the decision making process, to ensure that existing users feel represented in park changes and decision-making processes.

Learn More

Research Updates

See results from the Decker Lake Perception Survey!

Case Studies to learn from:

Revitalize Parks to Strengthen Democracy

In this article, our colleague from NHA- Howard Frumkin and other Trust for Public Land contributors, describe the importance of community engagement in designing, advocating for, and improving local parks. TPL suggests utilizing a common-ground framework that promotes community power through a continuum of citizen engagement: inform, consult, involve, collaborate, empower. Read article here

Successful city parks make diverse communities feel safe and welcome − this Minnesota park is an example

Parks are meant to be for everyone, but oftentimes they are not designed that way. Visitors at Phalen Regional Park in St. Paul, MN, reflect the population of the area and find new ways to bring in populations both from the neighborhood and surrounding areas, while ensuring everyone feels welcome in these spaces and can find an activity that they enjoy. Read article here

Community Updates

Explore the latest updates from the organizations listed below! For questions or to join our community updates, contact Myra Gerst at myra.gerst@utah.edu or Owen Watkins at owen.watkins@utah.edu.

Grow the Flow:

After a five-year hiatus due to low lake levels, the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club and Grow the Flow are hosting Sailfest on June 15th. This free, day-long festival will feature live music, booths, and a sailboat regatta to raise awareness and resources for restoring Great Salt Lake. It's a family-friendly event, so bring your friends and family!

Sailfest Signup

Conservation Garden Park

Conservation Garden Park offers free monthly classes, both at their garden and online, focused on empowering Utahns to conserve water in their landscapes.

Class Signup

Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District

The Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD) began a pollinator habitat garden last fall using native plant kits from the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program. SLCMAD is now seeking volunteers to assist with maintaining the garden, primarily through weed removal and other general upkeep. To learn more or if you're interested in lending a hand, reach out to Michele Rehbein at michele@slcmad.org.

More Info

June Community Events

As warm weather approaches, there are so many fun events happening in June! Get outside, bring your friends or family, and join us for these exciting community gatherings. Here are three events that we are especially anticipating:

SLC's Downtown Farmers Market: Every Saturday from June through October, Pioneer Park comes alive with over 100 vendors offering local produce, meats, cheeses, and more. Enjoy live music and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Blooming with Pride: Celebrate diversity and the beauty of nature at Blooming with Pride on June 14th at Red Butte Garden. Explore vibrant blooms and plant arrangement installations while honoring LGBTQIA+ experiences.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival: Celebrating BIPOC, Disabled, and LGBTQIA+ Voices in the Outdoors: Join Outdoor Auntie, Black Bold and Brilliant, and the Utah Film Center for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival on June 28th at Tracy Aviary.

For more June community events, visit the link below.

June Events