Nature-based therapeutics: A collaborative research agenda promoting equitable access and environmental stewardship

Given the duration and intensity of the COVID-19 pandemic, with strict emphasis on social distancing, many individuals and families are experiencing social isolation. The need to explore effective strategies for health promotion and wellness is clear.

The purpose of this report is to highlight evidence supporting the health benefits of nature-based therapeutics and to describe the exploratory and translational research agenda for a nurse-led program entitled RxPLORE^TM: Prescribing Life Outdoors and Real Exploration.

Integrative review of the current state of evidence for nature-based therapeutics and operationalisation of a nature-based health promotion framework as the foundation of a PhD-DNP collaborative program of research.

Amidst the unfolding crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of nature-based therapeutics is becoming more widely recognised, as are layers of disparities in access to nature. A nurse-led team proposes a program of research outlining priorities for the translation of current evidence into practice and for the investigation of gaps in the evidence base that will inform future recommendations for nature-based health promotion. The initial population of focus is children and families.

Prescribing nature is a strategy to promote health and wellness throughout the lifespan. For all populations to experience the health-promoting benefits of nature, nurses engage community members and collaborate across sectors to advocate for equitable access to nature and environmental stewardship through conservation practices.