Fostering health and wellness through nature

Connecting with nature is essential for our mental, physical, and emotional health and wellbeing. At Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, we’re dedicated to creating meaningful experiences where people can immerse themselves in nature and experience its healing power.

We aim to make restorative nature experiences available to everyone. With partners like Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and Mary A. Rackham Institute (MARI), MBGNA is redeveloping 18 sites across our landscapes to more actively promote health and wellbeing through nature. And programs like NatureRx and our place-based efforts blend human health with ecological health, creating nature-based experiences that benefit individuals and the community alike. Our work spans several key areas:

• Designing land-based social, physical, and emotional health interventions with campus experts and implementing them across MBGNA landscapes and collections

• Developing NatureRx initiatives with other collaborating units and furthering the commitments of the Okanagan Charter through the lands we steward

• Creating community-engaged programming for all ages focused on health and wellbeing

• Deepening food access initiatives and nutrition education partnerships with health organizations

By contributing, you’ll amplify Michigan’s impact in nature, health, and wellbeing. Join us in this mission to foster health and wellness through nature. Your contribution will make a tangible difference in promoting a healthier, more balanced way of life.

Funding Goal: $3,000,000