Nature Prescribing

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 (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.

This initiative provides microgrants to several Centres to introduce new, or build upon existing, nature-based programs for their older adult members and to promote this new prescribing option with their primary and allied health care referral partners.

Project Partners

Chosen through a Call for Proposals, 11 projects have been selected for implementation in various areas in Ontario:

• Eganville and District Seniors, Eganville (Renfrew County Five Senses Nature Art Tour)
• Rexdale Community Health Centre, Toronto (Nature Walks and Talks for Seniors: Nature Rx)
• Bernard Betel Centre, Toronto (Nature Through the Lens: A Mindful Walking Series)
• Town of Penetanguishene, Penetanguishene (Mindful Walk in Nature)
• Life After Fifty, Windsor (On the Right Path)
• Le Centre Communautaire Régionale de Sarnia-Lambton, Sarnia (Retraite nature et bien-être pour les 55+ francophones de Sarnia-Lambton)
• Town of Pelham, Pelham (Nordic Pole Walking in Pelham)
• The Good Companions, Ottawa (Green Connections: Cultivating Community Through Gardening)
• Horton Street 50+, London (Roots and Routes: Nature Trips for Connection)
• Town of Grimsby, Grimsby (Mindful Nature Walks: 55+ Active Living Series)
• The Glebe Centre, Ottawa (Growing Together: Nature-Based Gardening for Urban Seniors)

Project Timeline

Project implementation is taking place between May 2026-March 2027. This initiative will gather quantitative and qualitative data related to the impact of nature-based activities on older adults and aims to integrate nature-based offerings into existing social prescribing pathways.

Questions? Email Pat Spadafora at pat@kaleidscopeconsulting.net

Funding for the Nature Prescribing project has been generously provided by The Waltons Trust

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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!

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What was the Nature-Based Demonstration Project?

Our 2026-27 nature prescribing project builds upon past project successes. Supported by funding from the Levante Foundation, from 2023-24 OACAO successfully carried out its first nature-based demonstration project called, “Nature-Based Programs to Enhance the Quality of Life of Older Adults.” 

The project offered microgrants for 10 centres to implement new or revitalize existing nature programs that could support us in learning about the benefits and 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
  

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 “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

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