Nature is all around us in San Diego County: from coastal wetlands and canyon trails to neighborhood parks and open spaces. But access to nature and the healing benefits it can provide are not experienced equally across our region.
The Nat is working with like-minded partners to help change that through the Anchoring Healing Through Nature initiative, generously funded by The Conrad Prebys Foundation. Our goal is simple but ambitious: expand access to nature-based healing, especially for communities that have been historically underserved or disproportionately impacted by environmental and health disparities.
This work begins by listening.
In 2025 and early 2026, we gathered feedback from over 500 participants throughout San Diego County through surveys, interviews, a youth photography project, and community conversations. The message was resoundingly clear: nature plays a vital role in our wellbeing.
While many participants reported a moderate personal connection to nature, they still strongly associate nature with improved physical and mental health.
At the same time, access to nature isn’t as simple as it should be. San Diego is rich in natural spaces, but real barriers exist to accessing them. Community members cited challenges like:
Across conversations, one strong theme stood out—people want programs that are free or low-cost, easy to access, and welcoming to diverse communities. Desired experiences included:
Many participants also emphasized the need for transportation support, multilingual programming, and clearer communication about available opportunities. Participants also mentioned they look for spaces that feel inclusive, safe, and culturally relevant. Community members said they trust local partners like parks, schools, and community-based organizations to support these efforts.
We brought these findings back to community leaders, project partners, and an advisory council composed of local experts. The response was both affirming and challenging. The findings resonated, but they also raised important questions about representation, affordability, accessibility, and trust. In response, we hosted additional listening sessions to expand community input and strengthen engagement.
This needs assessment provides valuable insight on nature-based healing in San Diego County. It will serve as an important starting point for future conversations that include underrepresented voices in the initial feedback efforts outlined in this report. We look forward to including even more community members who will help expand the perspectives that help us paint a better picture of our relationship to nature. The current findings should be viewed through a lens that acknowledges there are voices and communities missing from this report. Moving forward, our work will continue with humility, intention, and care.
The next phase of the initiative will focus on expanding community listening, building a larger county-wide coalition of partners, developing tools and resources to support nature-based programming, and investing in collaborative efforts that strengthen capacity across organizations.
Together, we are working toward a future where every San Diegan can experience the healing power of nature. Not as a luxury, but as a fundamental part of well-being and connection.
View Executive Summary Ver Resumen Ejecutivo
To view the full report, click below:
To view additional listening session summary, click below:
View Listening Session Summary
Posted by The Nat.
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