Nature and Health: Getting Started!

For many of us, nature is a place to play, enjoy, be amazed, connect with others, or find solitude. Nature offers an abundance of opportunities that provide positive benefits to our physical, mental, and emotional health. With increasing urbanization and digital choices, both adults and children are spending less time outdoors. As a result, screen time, sedentary lifestyles, and stress have increased. Many of these factors are directly associated with increased risks for chronic disease and mental health concerns.

Benefits of Nature

Time in nature offers protective health benefits and additional advantages from increased physical outdoor activity. Connecting with nature on a deeper level can enhance these benefits, provide a sense of place, and encourage stewardship behaviors. These advantages help to offset disease risk factors and improve healthy lifestyle choices. Did you know that in some areas, physicians are partnering with local parks and writing “nature prescriptions” for their patients? So let’s get started with improving health through nature!

Getting Started

Set a Goal. Research recommends spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature and at least 150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, but getting started is what matters most. Determine your goal, then set yourself up for success by making a commitment that seems achievable. Once successful, you can slowly increase your initial short-term goal.

Choose an activity. Choose something that you’ll enjoy, an activity that sounds fun and safe. That may be a group or solo outing, a volunteer service project, or a citizen science activity. The more you enjoy what you’re doing, the more likely you will sustain choosing time in nature. Not sure what you’ll enjoy? Give something a try, you can always try something different until you find what you enjoy!

Choose a place. Whether you love nature, are an outdoor enthusiast, or need encouragement to get started, whether you enjoy spending time alone or with others, there are nature-based opportunities for all ages, interests, and abilities in Sarasota County. See below for some options.

Slow down and connect. Active time in nature has many benefits but choose an activity that allows you to slow down and connect with nature, not just hike from point A to B or play an outdoor sport. Use your senses to immerse yourself in the moment. These deeper moments of connection can enhance a sense of peace, calm, and decreased stress… something we all need more of!

Where to go: Nature is Everywhere!

You can start in your backyard or neighborhood, or venture out to our city, county, and state parks that may provide larger areas of green or blue space and greater biodiversity.

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources has over 140 sites to choose from, including more than 50,000 acres of natural areas. Some sites are even on public transit Breeze bus routes. Learn more about access to Sarasota County beaches.

Our county boasts two amazing Florida State Parks with a variety of amenities for both day and overnight exploration or choose from another 173 Florida State Parks to explore.

Our local cities of Sarasota, Venice, and North Port also provide green space opportunities.

Accessibility options: There are a variety of accessibility options to explore and connect with nature in Sarasota County. Check out these online articles to learn more: https://curbfreewithcorylee.com/2022/01/23/wheelchair-accessible-sarasota-florida/ and https://www.visitsarasota.com/accessible-travel-sarasota

What to Do

Nature-based Opportunities with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

Guided nature walks: EcoWalks are 2-hour nature walks guided by UF/IFAS Extension educators and volunteers in a variety of our county’s natural areas. Learn more and register here. Find additional guided walks and other programs in the Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources online event guide.

Outdoor mindfulness opportunities: Meditation walks are a special 1-hour, mostly silent, contemplative EcoWalk based on the tradition of “forest bathing”. These walks provide an opportunity for a more immersive, connected experience utilizing all our senses to be present in the moment. Learn more and register here. Other organizations and individuals may offer beach yoga, outdoor tai chi, and other quiet nature-based practices.

Natural Areas Story Maps: Virtually experience a guided trail walk at some of the most unique and precious natural areas within Sarasota County. Enjoy photos and interpretive content on-site on your mobile device or from a device anywhere, and learn about each site’s history, habitats, and the plants and animals that live there.

Agents of Discovery: This is one time when we recommend screen time! Learn while playing and getting active outdoors at select Sarasota County parks. Help Field Agent Forest Parker solve nature-based challenges and complete the mission to achieve your digital badge. Play on your own or bring your Special Agents to join us for in-person events.

blue backpack surrounded by books, an insect catching device, and an insect life cycle game — Insect Investigator backpack kit.

Eco-Explorer Backpack Kits: The collection of family-fun, Eco-Explorer backpack kits are designed to inspire eco-friendly living inside and out! These kits are a fun and educational option for families and relatives with visiting children. Developed by UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County in partnership with Sarasota County Libraries, the Eco-Explorer backpack kits are available for free check-out with your library card at all Sarasota County Libraries locations. Each Eco-Explorer backpack kit contains all you’ll need to get started, including books, gear, and activities designed to inspire exploration for all ages. Kits include: Explore Your World, Insect Investigator, Family Green Living, and Wings in the Wild.

More Suggestions

photo of woman walking along a trail in a forest

photo of man and woman looking through binoculars with trees in the background

So many other opportunities exist from gardening to fishing, biking to paddle sports. Take advantage of all the beauty Sarasota County has to offer!

Get your steps in: Add walks around the neighborhood or a nearby park into your weekly routine. Go alone, with friends, or with family.
Visit a Sarasota County park, trail, or natural area: Hike, walk, paddle, bike, and more, for a healthy challenge and an opportunity to learn more about nature around us. Some Sarasota County and Florida State Parks offer accessibility options such as beach mats, beach wheelchairs, accessible kayak launches, paved trails, or ADA-approved fitness stations.
Connect with others: Join a nature-oriented club, our guided EcoWalks, or meet a friend and enjoy nature together.
Volunteer outdoors: Environmental volunteering improves physical activity, self-reported wellness, and mood (Pillemer K, et. al., 2010).
Art outdoors: Sketch, color, or paint what you see. Start a nature journal for deeper observation, connection, and creative expression.
Practice mindfulness: Find a favorite place to sit outside and use all your senses to experience the world around you.
Backyard birding: Listen to birdsong and look for birds right from home.
Gardening: Tending a garden teaches about healthy eating, gets time in nature, and builds skills.
Bring nature indoors: Listen to soothing nature sounds; decorate indoor spaces with nature imagery or plants.