Rx Nature: A Social Prescription for Community Healing & Climate Action (Side Effects May Include: Hope, Healing & Climate Impact)
What if an unlikely scalable climate solution is already around—and within—us?
Rx Nature: A Social Prescription for Community Healing & Climate Action invites you to explore how time in nature—when paired with social connection & action—isn't just self-care. It’s climate care.
Inspired by the book, The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Service and Belonging (A Harvard Public Health Magazine Best Book of 2024), author and science journalist Julia Hotz explores how real human interaction can be one of the most powerful tools for well-being.
Hotz defines social prescription as a non medical resource or activity that aims to improve a person's health and strengthen their community connections.
Workshop themes and format
Grounded in public health research, emerging neuroscience, and frameworks for community healing and restoration, this interactive workshop reframes nature as more than something beckoning outside your door—it’s a proven, low-cost, community-powered prescription for mental health, belonging, and bold climate engagement and action.
We’ll go beyond the “go touch grass” advice to ask:
🌱 What happens when we treat nature as a modality for healing?
🌱 What if curiosity, joy and connection are the entry points for climate action—especially for communities left out of traditional environmental movements?
🌱 And how can we build accessible, inclusive nature-based practices that scale impact—without burning ourselves out?
🎯 What to expect
An interactive workshop discussion and activity (both indoors and outdoors) where we'll explore how human connection, combined with time in nature, are not only good for personal well-being but also powerful entry points to spark climate awareness and local-to-global climate action—especially for people who don’t see themselves as climate activists.
Research studies showing how even brief nature exposure restores mental health and focus
Concept of social prescribing applied in nature with social experiences—group walks, service activities that foster belonging, reduce loneliness, and deepen communal bonds
Examples of communities and movements practicing social prescription who are furthering climate action & impact
📣 Takeaway:
Nature connection in community is an unlikely climate solution.
When we ground ourselves in nature, build community, and move our bodies, we heal. And when we heal, we take action—together.
🧠 Side effects may include:
✔ Reduced stress and anxiety, improved mental focus and calm
✔ Increased sense of purpose and belonging
✔ A stronger, more connected climate movement rooted in care and joy
Join us for a participatory gathering designed for community leaders, wellness advocates, climate-concerned citizens, and anyone ready to reclaim nature as a tool for collective healing and transformation.
👥Who should join
Anyone interested in mental health, nature, community well-being and climate action
People overwhelmed by the climate crisis but unsure of where to start
Environmental justice organizers, educators, and health & wellness practitioners
🧭 Workshop Flow:
1. Welcome + Framing (15 mins)
2. Mini Talk: The Science of Connection and Nature (15 mins)
3. Group Activity: The "Connection Prescription" Map (25 mins)
4. Guided Nature Connection Practice (15 mins)
5. Call to Climate Action: Collective Activation (10 mins)
6. Closing Reflection & Community Building (10 mins)
Getting to our venue
Location:
Cascadia College (UW Bothell)
18345 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011
Room: Innovation Hall - INV-131
On the 1st floor (1 up from the LL floor, or two down from the West Entrance.)
Transportation options
Bus, bike, or walk
If driving
Free parking in south end surface lots - a 4-5 min walk from our meeting space. Otherwise garages have paid parking
About your facilitator
Eileen F. Lambert (she/her/ella) is a Strategic, Equity-Minded, Impact-Driven, bilingual 2nd generation Latine Sr Communications and Program Strategist professional and Nature and Community Science based Educator with a deep background in community building, advocating for women (Chapter Co-Director Women in Tech Seattle ) and the BIPOC community -combined with a strong bias for action.
With a career spanning across non profit; with 7 years in ions Fund Development and Communications for Social and Human Services and Environmental Justice organizations (Union Gospel Mission and EarthCorps), combined with 10 years in corporate Technical Project and Program Management (F5, AWS, Microsoft, Disney, Starbucks) she now bridges the two worlds as a Social Impact Communications and Program Management Strategist through Peak Impact, consulting for clients such as The Corporate Giving Network and past client, community based tech organization, New Tech Northwest.
She's also a Bilingual Naturalist through her company Nerdy by Nature. Her core values are promoting and providing an equitable and accessible experiential learning environment that is centered on community science and stewardship.
She founded and runs Des Moines WA Birders and leads bird and plant educational programs in partnership with King County based non profits Environmental Science Center, Rainier Audubon Society, and South Sound Nature School Forterra, as part of their Nature Discovery Program.
By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of PNW Climate Week, receive communications about PNW Climate Week, and acknowledge that photos/videos may be taken for promotional use.