NHH-UT September Newsletter

Nature and Human Health Utah Newsletter

September is here, and with it comes a welcome break from the summer heat. It is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you are hiking, biking, or simply taking a stroll through your neighborhood, spending time outside offers countless benefits for your health and well-being. This is also a big month for Nature and Human Health Utah, and we are excited to share lots of events and opportunities with you!

NHH-UT Updates

Early bird registration for the Annual Conference on October 23, 2025, at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City closes on September 2. Be sure to register before then to receive discounted tickets for this full-day event highlighting how inclusive access to nature fosters belonging, equity, and well-being across communities.

Registration

Save the Date!
Join NHH-UT for our September Member Meeting on Wednesday, September 24th, at Tracy Aviary. Connect with fellow members and learn more about how nature supports health and well-being.

Nature and Human Health Utah will be tabling at Something’s Brewing as part of the Get To The River Festival! Stop by our table to say hi, learn more about our work, and enjoy an evening of food, brews, live music, and performances by the Jordan River.

NHH-UT will be tabling at the Conservation Garden Park Fall Garden Fair 25th Birthday Celebration. Visit us while enjoying family-friendly activities, garden tours, live demos, food trucks, music, and birthday cake!

Join Nature and Human Health Utah at Salty Jams: Concert for Great Salt Lake on September 12 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City, with doors opening at 6 PM and music beginning at 7 PM as part of the Get To The River Festival.

New Blog: A Chilling Reminder at the Natural History Museum:
Our new blog takes you inside the Mysteries of the Ice Ages exhibit, where mammoths, muskoxen, and human artifacts reveal stories of survival in a frozen world. It’s a reminder that past climate shifts hold lessons for how we face today’s challenges.

Full Blog

Carly Knudson has been awarded the 2025 Best Paper by the American Association of Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) for her thesis, “Relationships Between Socioecological Factors, Time Spent in Nature, and Mental Health Outcomes in Undergraduate College Students.” Carly’s research, supported in part by a pilot grant from NHH-UT, was selected from a competitive pool of submissions and recognized for its excellence. Congratulations to Carly on this outstanding achievement!

Research Updates

New Research Brief:
Prepared by our Program Manager, Myra Gerst, Barriers to Participation in Nature Prescriptions: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Survey of Adults in Australia, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

View Brief

New Research Infographic:
Prepared by our Program Manager, Myra Gerst, Understanding Nature Prescriptions. Click below to learn more!

View Infographic

Call for Papers – Conservation & Restoration for Healthy Environments and People
The Ecological Health Network invites submissions for a special issue of Environmental Conservation exploring the links between ecological restoration and human well-being. This is a great chance for NHH-UT members and allies to share research on a global platform. Deadline: January 31, 2026

Learn More

Research Spotlight: Nature and Attention
A New York Times article highlights research showing that even brief walks in green spaces can improve focus and memory by up to 20 percent. While scientists debate the exact cause, the evidence is clear that nature helps the brain rest and recharge.

Full Article

Community Updates

Witness Utah’s Wild Red Run! Each fall, kokanee salmon blaze bright red as they surge upstream to spawn. Don’t miss this incredible natural show — join free viewing events Sept. 20 at Strawberry Reservoir and Oct. 4 at Fish Lake, or visit six other hot spots across the state.

Learn More

Volunteer to Help Plant 20,000 Native Plants at Popperton!

This fall, SLC Public Lands is transforming the Popperton Trailhead near the U with native plant gardens and new amenities like shade structures, bathrooms, and bike repair stations. Volunteers are essential to make this project a success! Join in on prep days to get the site ready or help with planting during our Native Planting and Foothills Stewardship Series. Multiple dates are available in September and October—everyone is welcome!

Check the full schedule and get involved: Prep Days: Sep 11, Sep 16, Sep 22–26, Sep 24 Planting Days: Oct 21, Oct 23, Oct 28

Learn More

Wonderbloom Nature Playschool is seeking a passionate Assistant Director to support our nature-based early childhood program. Help manage the school, assist in classrooms, and grow with our team. Part-time remote/in-office hours. Competitive pay and benefits.

Apply: admin@wonderbloom.org

Community Events

There are so many amazing nature-based events happening in September, but here are a few that we’re especially looking forward to:

Yoga in the Garden
Unwind with gentle movement and mindful breathwork in a peaceful garden setting at Conservation Garden Park. This beginner-friendly class is perfect for anyone ages 16 and up looking to connect body, mind, and nature.

Get to the River: Something’s Brewing 2025 Sip on kombucha, tea, or coffee while exploring what’s “brewing” along the Jordan River! Learn about local conservation projects, recreational opportunities, and ways to get involved — all as part of the month-long Get to the River Festival.

Sunflower Festival Wander through over a million blooming sunflowers at Cross E Ranch. Take in the golden views, snap some stunning photos, and enjoy seasonal activities that celebrate the beauty of late summer in Utah.

All September Events