At Warren Wilson College, the wellness of our students is at the forefront of our mission. In an effort to create a sanctuary of support for mental health, the Nature Rx program, led by Matthew Vosler, draws on the benefits of outdoor spaces to foster mental well-being and mindfulness.

The Nature Rx program finds its roots in the work done at Cornell University, where researchers identified gaps in traditional approaches to mental health on college campuses. The program emerged from the Parks Rx movement, a grassroots initiative aiming to promote community wellness through nature. The pressing need for a different kind of intervention became evident in recent studies, such as the 2024 Healthy Mind Study from the JED Foundation, which shows a troubling rise in anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among college students.

Vosler, who spearheads the program at Warren Wilson College, is focused on finding ways to connect students with the naturalized spaces available both on campus and in the surrounding community. The goal is to offer students a place of refuge—a space where they can retreat to restore their mental and emotional well-being.

As Vosler explains, “Nature provides something unique that we can’t always find in traditional wellness programs. It’s an opportunity to reset, to breathe, and to reflect, all while surrounded by the calming influence of natural spaces.”

The program follows a framework inspired by Restoration Theory, which emphasizes the mental health benefits of being outdoors. According to this theory, exposure to nature can improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. Vosler explains, “Being outdoors in natural spaces helps us manage stress, reconnect with ourselves, and improve our psychological resilience.”

A key component of Nature Rx at Warren Wilson College is the Nature Rx Club, a student-led initiative designed to bring mindfulness into the campus experience. The Nature Rx Club is part of the broader Wellness Crew, a group of students who plan events that encourage wellness through outdoor activities. This includes hikes, workshops, and community-building projects.

In addition to these regular activities, the college has received an Endeavor Grant to pilot the program on campus. This funding supports events like the Nature Rx Day held in the fall, which serves as a mindful break during the stressful period leading up to finals. “Nature Rx Day is about creating a space for students to step outside of the usual chaos, burnout, and stress, and find a moment to breathe outdoors,” says Vosler.

The idea is simple but powerful: By integrating natural spaces into the college experience, students can benefit from a “wellness trail” where they can practice mindfulness through activities like guided meditations, forest walks, and even the incorporation of a sauna and cold plunge for added physical and mental recovery.

“The idea is to treat nature like a vitamin,” Vosler continues. “Nature provides a ‘dosage’ of healing that students need to combat the challenges of modern life, including the increasing mental health struggles on campuses.”

Vosler’s work is inspired by the concept of Nature Deficit Disorder, a term popularized in Richard Louv’s book Last Child in the Woods. Nature Deficit Disorder points to the negative consequences of children and adults spending less time outdoors, and how this can contribute to mental health challenges. Vosler believes that creating more accessible spaces for students to connect with nature is key to improving mental health outcomes at Warren Wilson College.

Through these efforts, Nature Rx aims to reshape how the campus community views mental health, offering a holistic, nature-based approach that complements traditional forms of support. “If we continue integrating Nature Rx into our community, we can create a different understanding of mental health—a place where nature and wellness are inseparable.”

In addition to the outdoor activities, Vosler has worked closely with Eric Griffin and the SURF (Student Undergraduate Research Fest), partnering to bring more awareness to the importance of nature in supporting mental health.

Another key initiative Vosler has introduced is the practice of starting each class with a “vibe check,” a quick go-around where students share their names, pronouns, and how they’re feeling. This small but meaningful ritual creates space for mindfulness within the classroom and encourages a sense of community.

“The goal is to transform our classrooms into spaces where students feel safe and supported,” says Vosler. “By treating these spaces with care, we help students engage better in their learning, and nature can help carve out that space of refuge.”

As Nature Rx continues to evolve at Warren Wilson College, it holds the potential to transform our campus culture, making nature and mental wellness an integral part of our educational experience. Vosler’s vision is clear: to invite students to live differently, to reset their minds in natural spaces, and to build resilience that lasts far beyond their time at Warren Wilson.