Social Prescribing Pathways: Integrating a Nature Prescribing Pathway within Links2Wellbeing
Supported by funding from The Waltons Trust, OACAO is carrying out a year-long initiative (March 2026-2027) that offers our Links2Wellbeing (L2W) partners the opportunity to integrate a nature-based program into the existing social prescribing pathway at their centres.
L2W partners will be able to introduce new, or build upon existing, nature-based programs for their older adult members and to promote this new prescribing option with their health care referral partners.
Project Details 
- Up to 10 microgrants will be awarded ($1,500 each)
- Call for proposals for nature-based programs that describe how you will integrate nature prescribing into your social prescribing pathway
- Deadline for proposal submission – March 31, 2026 (successful applicants will be notified by April 15th)
- Project timeline: Projects can start as early as May 1, 2026, and must end by March 31, 2027
Are You Involved in Links2Wellbeing and Interested in Applying?
Questions? Email Pat Spadafora at pat@kaleidscopeconsulting.net
Visit the online application link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L2W-NATURE-BASED-2026
What are the Benefits of Nature-Based Programs?
How do you feel after a hike in the woods? A walk by a lake? Working in your garden? Riding your bike with friends at a park?
Nature prescribing – one pathway related to social prescribing – recognizes the physical, emotional, and mental benefits of connecting with nature. Scientific evidence suggests there are, indeed, many benefits! Just seeing nature doesn’t seem to make the difference that fully immersing oneself in nature does. It is the physical activity that is believed to be the key factor that results in health benefits.
What are some of the benefits of being in nature?
- Reduced risk of chronic disease
- Reduced blood pressure
- Increased feelings of well-being and social inclusion
- Reduced stress, anxiety, depression
- Boosted immune system
What is the recommended nature ‘dose’?
- 2 hours per week, 20 minutes at a time
- Evidence suggests that the most efficient drop in cortisol (stress hormone) levels takes place between 20-30 minutes
Tune inwards the next time you go for a walk, and at about the 20-minute mark, you may begin to feel the transition to calm kick in!
What was the Nature-Based Demonstration Project?
Our 2026-2027 project aims to build upon the successes of a previous OACAO project. Supported by funding from the Levante Foundation, from 2023-2024 OACAO successfully carried out its first nature-based demonstration project called, “Nature-Based Programs to Enhance the Quality of Life of Older Adults.”
Intended to illustrate the numerous benefits of nature-based programming on holistic well-being, the project offered microgrants for 10 centres to implement new or revitalized nature-based programs that could support us in learning more about the impact of engaging in nature for older adults.
Chosen through a Call for Proposals, the 10 projects were from various regions (north-south, urban-rural) in Ontario:
- 55+ Centres, City of Barrie (55+ Parks Tours)
- Active 55+, Sault Ste Marie (Silver Paddle Society)
- Active Adult Centre, Mississauga (Seasons in the Garden)
- City of Cambridge, Cambridge (Guided Forest Walks of Discovery)
- LA CENTRE for Active Seniors, Toronto (Doug Saunders Gardening Club [DSGC])
- Life After Fifty, Windsor (Never Stop Exploring – An Outdoor Nature Program)
- Rendez-vous des aines francophone d’Ottawa (RAFO), Ottawa (Discovering Nature and the Benefits for Seniors)
- The Glebe Centre, Ottawa (Abbotsford Seniors’ Centre Butterfly Release and Nature Walk)
- University Settlement, Toronto (Nature Within Reach)
- Upper Ottawa Valley Seniors Friendship Club, Deep River (Woodsy Wednesday Walks)
What Were the Project Outcomes?
After a year, the success of the 10 demonstration projects was promising! They clearly demonstrated the positive impact of nature-based activities on older adults and provided the centres with important feedback about the interests and preferences of their clients when it comes to nature-based activities.
By the numbers:
- 10 nature-based projects
- 1,054 older adults participated in activities
- 128 volunteers supported activities
- 25 partnerships contributed to the project
Emerging themes:
- Greater appreciation for and connection to nature
- Importance of socializing and building relationships with peers
- Health and well-being benefits of engaging in nature
- Reduction in social isolation and loneliness
“I feel lighter and happier after these walks.”
“The garden gave me another reason to get up in the morning to water my plants.”
“Loved walking through all the gardens, especially the blooming rhododendrons, and meeting new friends.”
Final Report
Check out the Final Report (October 2024) to learn more about the promise and potential of implementing nature-based programs.
Funding for the Nature-Based Demonstration Project was generously provided by Levante Living
Interested in Learning More About Nature Prescribing?
Google Drive – Nature-Based Program resource materials
Handbook – Nature Connected Organizations Handbook (University of Derby, 2025)
Toolkit – Social and Nature Prescribing: Considerations for Health and Environment (Chen, Zahid & Nowlan; CASCADES, 2025)
Webinar Recording – Health and Well-Being Benefits of Nature: Green Prescribing (OACAO, 2023)
Toolkit – Seniors’ Outdoor Activation Toolkit (Woodgreen Community Services, New Horizons, 8 80 cities, (2022)