Writing A New Prescription to Help Heal Our Youth: A Dose of Eco-Therapy

Working with the generous folks at Fallbrook Farms, and led by the Business Sherpa Leeh Hardy from Innerweave, ProsperRochester piloted a new series of Eco-Therapy Field trips for our students. Far more expansive than just the environment, Eco Therapy focuses on connecting with nature to experience benefits for the whole child- body, mind, and soul.

Exposing students to activities in nature, helps them develop critical sills in both business and life - as they look, listen, and feel the details of the environment around them, and learn to listen by staying focused in the moment. Leeh’s expertise in connecting youth to self observation, and Fallbrook’s spectacular landscape and supportive staff, provides the perfect environment for a new learning prescription - a dose of nature for our youth. 

Many Health Care Practitioners Say Ecotherapy Can Improve Mood and Ease Anxiety, Stress, & Depression.

Health care providers are giving their patients “nature prescriptions” to help treat depression, as evidenced by a 2007 study from the University of Essex in the U.K., which found that a walk in the country reduced depression in 71% of participants. The researchers found that as little as five minutes in a natural setting, whether walking in a park or gardening in the backyard, improves mood, self-esteem, and motivation.