- Healing through nature: Newcastle’s green prescription. A local piece published ahead of World Mental Health Day. Ecotherapist and eco-art therapist Kerryn Valeontis believes time spent outdoors has profound impacts on everyone’s welfare.
- Nature’s prescription: How national parks boost your mental health. It reports that participants who trained in natural settings, such as national parks, forests and bushland, showed a 5.58% improvement in their wellbeing during the program compared to those training in non-nature settings.
- Why doctors are writing medical scripts for fresh air https://twaslnews1.twaslnews.com/7292984/ The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) guidelines on nature dosing for health and well-being are being increasingly used by GPs.
- Outdoors Victoria calls for action to get more Victorians active in nature – Outdoors Victoria Outdoors Victoria calls for $100 million investment to get more Victorians active in nature. We’re calling on the Victorian Government to invest in school camps, inclusive outdoor programs, expanded outdoor education, and better tracks and facilities.
- Active in Nature program success in Victoria – www.activeinnature.org.au
More than 1000 young Victorians have taken part in Active in Nature over the past 3-years. Across 76 programs, we celebrate the young people who have explored nature, built connections and discovered new possibilities; to find their nature, find their people and find their path forward. Thanks to VicHealth’s continued funding in 2026–27, Outdoors Victoria is delighted to continue this work alongside Parks Victoria, our Specialist Outdoor Practitioners and Community Partners. Community Group leaders supporting young people aged 13–25 who often miss out on outdoor opportunities are welcome to get in touch about free, supported experiences available from now until April 2027. - Nature-based mental health care is worth the investment The study puts the annual value of nature’s mental health benefits at AU$7 trillion and calls for urgent government action to expand access to nature as a frontline response to the worsening global mental health crisis.
- To restore attention, reach out to nature. In this US study , children who have access to natural spaces perform better on assessments and attention evaluations.
- Could your neighbourhood impact your dementia risk? Having more green space close to home was linked to a 20% lower risk of developing dementia in a new study by Stockholm University and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.
- Dose of Nature 2025–26 impact. In 2025-26, 547 individuals experiencing mental health difficulties engaged in their Nature Prescription Programme, and they have delivered over 2,000 since 2019. It’s a useful model of an established program.
- Survey shows strong link between time spent in nature and positive mental health (Mental Health Foundation NZ).
- Enclosed neighborhood streets are linked to better sleep Greenness was associated with higher perceived safety and, in turn, longer sleep.
- NASP Green Social Prescribing Toolkit launch. Including lessons learned from the National Cross-Government Green Social Prescribing Programme.
