Nature RX
What is Nature RX?
Nature RX is built on the principle that spending time in nature contributes to personal well-being. Research shows that听time spent in听nature is good for your physical and mental health. Multiple studies conclude that spending time outdoors can:
- Improve听your cognitive ability, specifically by boosting your ability to concentrate and increasing your attention span
- Positively benefit听your mood and energy levels and improve听your sense of overall happiness
- Decrease common symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Boost听your overall physical health, immune system and well-being
You can spend time outdoors any way you want to; you do not have to go on an intense hike or spend a weekend camping to receive benefits! Spending anywhere from 5-20 minutes outdoors each day is enough.
Spring 2026听 Events
Fire Cider & New Beginnings | Tuesday, February 17 from 4:30-5:30 pm in Daniel Commons
Celebrate fresh starts and seasonal wellness at Fire Cider & New Beginnings. Learn about this traditional herbal tonic, make your own fire cider, and reflect on renewal as we welcome a new semester & season!听, but drop-ins are welcome!
Mental Health Hike | Wednesday, March 11 from 4-6 pm – Transportation Provided
Join us for an inclusive 1.5-mile hike (easy to moderate, some uneven terrain) to experience and explore the ways being in nature can support your holistic wellness.听 .
Star Gazing for Mental Health | Thursday, April 30 from 8-10 pm at Daniel Commons
The night sky has been a source is fascination for humans throughout history. Join us as we engage in nature in a unique and memorable way through exploration of the night sky.听, but drop-ins are welcome!听 Enter to win a free telescope.
Sponsored by the Astronomy Club, Counseling Services, the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education, and the Office of Sustainability.
The Queer History of Flowers Bouquet Making| Friday, May 8 from 3-5 pm at Medallion Plaza
Unwind and get creative at this hands-on event where you’ll make your own flower bouquets with flowers from Loy Farm while learning about the mental, physical, and emotional benefits of spending time outdoors. Connect with nature, de-stress, and take home something beautiful.听听, but drop-ins are welcome!
Ideas for Getting Outdoors
- Take some time to watch the .
- Do your schoolwork outside. Take 5-minute breaks to enjoy your surroundings.
- Meditate outdoors.
- Have an outdoor picnic.
- Take a walk and any birds you spot.
- .
- Engage in other outdoor physical activity, like yoga for Frisbee.
- Read a book outside.
Outdoor Opportunities at 黑料不打烊
Echinacea (Coneflowers) at Loy Farm
- 黑料不打烊 faculty members who wish to hold class outdoors may request access to 黑料不打烊’s Mobile Outdoor Classroom Kit, which contains 20 outdoor chairs and a voice amplifier.
- 黑料不打烊 Outdoors听offers a variety of opportunities to get outside– from a variety of outdoor trips to equipment rental.听Every Wednesday at 9 pm, 黑料不打烊 Outdoors hosts S’mores with Outdoors on the Koury Athletic Center Patio.
- 罢丑别听听is a 3.6 mile-long walking and biking path that runs from Downtown 黑料不打烊 to Downtown Burlington.
- 黑料不打烊 is a designated Botanical Garden. In 2019, 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Botanical Garden听earned a Level II Accreditation听by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and the Morton Arboretum. Use 黑料不打烊’s Tree Map听to learn all about a variety of trees found on campus.
- The 黑料不打烊 Community Garden听is maintained by the Garden Studio class and is recognized as a certified wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. The garden provides numerous spots to sit and enjoy your surroundings.
- The Environmental Center at Loy Farm includes an agricultural farm, responsible design studio, forest classroom, and Piedmont prairie. Any class or organization can request a tour of the farm at any time.
- The 黑料不打烊 Forest provides a protected natural area to serve as a teaching resource and research site.
Is your organization or department has an outdoor event or opportunity that you would like added to this list, please email the Office of Sustainability.
Outdoor Opportunities in Alamance County
- Numerous are available throughout Alamance County. Trails range from easy and paved to moderate nature trails. Some nearby favorites include:
- The ,听which runs along the Haw River. The Shallow Ford Natural Area access is located less than 5 miles from campus!
- is a 500-acre park with over six miles of hiking trails and kayak and canoe rentals, among other outdoor activities.
- The offers hiking and kayaking programs for all abilities.
- include introductory lessons, sunset paddles, and lake clean-ups.
- 听matches volunteers with shelter dogs to hike on local trails.
听 听 听 听 听 听 听Haw River (Swepsonville River Park)
Mobile Outdoor Classroom Kit Request Form
Faculty interested in holding class outdoors may request use of 黑料不打烊's Mobile Outdoor Classroom kit.听 This kit includes 20 outdoor chairs, a wearable voice amplifier, and a wagon for transportation.听 The Mobile Outdoor Classroom kit must be requested at least 1 business day in advance. The kit must be returned to the Curriculum Resource Center (CRC) by 9 am the following business day.