12 Nature Prescriptions Doctors Are Now Writing—and How They Help

7. Social prescribing and community integration

Social prescribing connects patients to community resources—often nature-based—to address social and mental health needs. Rather than offering only clinical treatments, clinics refer patients to local walking groups, gardening projects, or conservation volunteering. That model recognizes how isolation and lack of meaningful activities contribute to poor health. Community organizations provide the local infrastructure needed for nature prescriptions to work: trained volunteers, accessible sites, and safe programming. Social prescribing also helps match people with group activities that suit their needs and avoid triggering experiences. For instance, programs working with trauma survivors prioritize gentle pacing and skilled facilitation. When done well, social prescribing builds connection, fosters routine, and creates sustainable opportunities to maintain activity. Health systems that invest in directories and link workers see higher uptake because patients receive support to overcome practical barriers like transport, mobility, and confidence.

8. Nature-based care for trauma and PTSD

Nature-based programs are increasingly used as part of trauma recovery strategies. In Philadelphia, organizations have paired hiking, gardening, and outdoor healing circles with trauma-informed practices for survivors of violence. Practitioners emphasize sensory engagement—listening for birds, noticing textures, or grounding through breath—to help re-regulate the nervous system after traumatic events. Survivors report that nature can calm hypervigilance and create a safer context for processing difficult emotions. Programs tailor activities to avoid re-traumatization by allowing people control over participation and by providing trained facilitators who can hold emotional safety. While nature work is not a universal substitute for trauma-focused therapy, it can reduce avoidance, enhance social support, and offer experiential ways to build resilience. Community-driven programs often combine practical skills with opportunities to share stories in ways that feel less invasive than clinical settings, making healing more inviting for some people.