Nature and Health Laboratory

10/07/2026

UNF’s Institute of Environmental Research and Education received a $620,000 gift from Project One Health JAX to grow the UNF Nature and Health Center and expand nature-based health initiatives.

11/19/2025

We are so excited about the launch of the new Nature and Health Center!

11/08/2024

We hear more from parents and kids about limiting screens, boredom, and the benefit of stumbling outside for nature contact.
🌿🤍💙

09/03/2024

👏🌱❤️ These high school YELP'ers continue to work hard to connect other youth to nature in Jacksonville!

🌿🌎 Congratulations to Heba A., Lindsay J., Oscar S., Elle W., Sophie L., and Haley P.! 🌿🌎

We’re thrilled to announce that these outstanding students from Stanton College Preparatory School, The Bolles School, and Oakleaf High School have been accepted into the Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP) at the University of North Florida. 🎉

YELP is a year-long, pre-college program designed to develop high school youth into environmental leaders. As part of this merit-based award program, they’ll engage in approximately 100 hours of environmental leadership, science, and community service. 🌿📚

👏 Let’s cheer them on as they embark on this exciting journey! 🌟



Learn more about YELP on IERE's website: https://www.unf.edu/environment/yelp.html 🌐

09/03/2024

Please register to join Texas Children in Nature's webinar with our very own Dr. Erin Largo-Wight discussing practical, health-promoting nature recommendations for kids!

Teacher Workshop and Health Webinar with Erin Largo-Wight, University of North Florida Professor, Department of Public Health PhD and Director, Institute of Environmental Research & Education (IERE)

09/02/2024

New (ahead of press) publication on bringing nature inside from UNF Nature and Health Lab! 🌼

Past findings suggest that spending time outdoors facilitates recovery from mental fatigue and reduces stress. Indoor nature contact, or bringing elements of the outdoors inside, has also been shown to reduce stress and promote health in the workplace and clinical settings. This experimental study e...

06/13/2024

👏🌱❤️ so proud of everyone involved in this program! And we’re excited to present later today on the research and science behind the nature and health connection. We’ll discuss research-based theories, past findings, and future research ideas.

🌿🌎 Congratulations to Heba A., Lindsay J., Oscar S., Elle W., Sophie L., and Haley P.! 🌿🌎

We’re thrilled to announce that these outstanding students from Stanton College Preparatory School, The Bolles School, and Oakleaf High School have been accepted into the Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP) at the University of North Florida. 🎉

YELP is a year-long, pre-college program designed to develop high school youth into environmental leaders. As part of this merit-based award program, they’ll engage in approximately 100 hours of environmental leadership, science, and community service. 🌿📚

👏 Let’s cheer them on as they embark on this exciting journey! 🌟



Learn more about YELP on IERE's website: https://www.unf.edu/environment/yelp.html 🌐