Key Takeaways: Prescribing Nature Webinar with Nevin Harper

We were honoured to have Dr. Nevin Harper and our Health & Wellbeing Community Ambassador, Shirley Gleeson, join us for a webinar on Prescribing Nature yesterday. Nevin presented his assessment tool for matching programs & services with the needs of those we serve.

Below, you will find the key takeaways from the talk, a PDF of Nevin’s presentation and a recording of the webinar as well as some further resources.

1. Assessment Tools: There is a real need for practical evidence informed assessment tools in working with groups and individuals across the spectrum from health promotion, disease prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.
   • Dr Nevin Harper’s assessment tool which highlights 8 key factors is a much needed resource for practitioners, guides, educators and therapists.
2. Risk Assessment: The area of risk assessment in selecting natural sites and psychological risks in terms of trauma and grief need to be considered for any intervention or outdoor programme design.
3. Impact on Nature: The needs of the natural environment must be considered with the needs of the individuals and groups we serve. It is vital that we, as Practitioners, Guides and  therapists do not add to the destruction of nature.

We would like to extend our thanks to Nevin and Shirley in making this event possible and sharing their vast knowledge, experience and compassion. This was evidently a very engaging and practical session for all who took part and we thank the many attendees who joined us from all over the world.

Webinar Recording, PDF of Nevin's Slides and Further Resources

• Webinar Recording: (Passcode: bJA1$T2P)
• PDF of Nevin’s Slides - see bottom of article.
• Website: Nevinharper.com 
• Nevin’s Research & Writing: available for free 
  • Note - you will need to to sign up/join
• University faculty profile: University of Victoria 

Nevin J. Harper, PhD, is a Professor in the School of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education at the University of Victoria, a career outdoor educator, and a registered clinical counsellor. His research centres on human-environmental relationships, primarily through the practices of adventure and nature-based approaches to health and wellbeing. He lives with his family on Vancouver Island, Canada

What was this webinar about?

• This presentation provides attendees with a basic review of a model of assessment developed for nature-based interventions, primarily for therapeutic and health promotion realms (though this could be applied across sectors and populations).
• If you provide programs or services for clients/customers/students outdoors, this presentation will have something for you. Attendees will be left with a model and some basic ideas about how to conduct pre-service assessments to better meet the needs and preferences of those they serve.

Key Points Nevin covered: 

1. Introduce a practical assessment model that forest and nature-based practitioners can adopt as part of their toolkit for eco-therapy practices to best serve their clients.
2. Challenge assumptions about what we do and why, hopefully resulting in more thought and precision in program and service design and delivery of nature-based practices.