NATURE RESOURCE CENTER
Expanding nature opportunities for all Minnesotans as we age
Nature enriches lives at every age, offering important benefits to our health and well-being. Minnesota's Multisector Blueprint for Aging calls on us to explore public spaces for all ages and all seasons, such as age-friendly parks or programming that connects us to the abundant nature around our state.
We invite you to learn more about the work underway by some of our Age-Friendly Minnesota community grantees to enhance our access to nature as we age. Check out the free resources below and check back for new items being added regularly.
NATURE PUBLICATIONS
This comprehensive statewide report released in April 2024 highlights the benefits of nature-based activities for individuals 55+ and provides a framework for enhancing access and participation to nature around the state. The Field Scan is a 100-page online document with links to many resources and models. It is intended for anyone interested in learning how better to support and grow access to nature for older Minnesotans.
The purpose of this brief is to summarize the key elements of the comprehensive Field Scan. It also provides information about Phase 2 of the project, which focuses on raising awareness, supporting organizations doing this work, implementing Phase I Field Scan recommendations, and expanding opportunities for all of us to access nature across Minnesota as we age.
Bridging Generations: Intergenerational Connections to Nature in Minnesota
(10 pages)
This feature by Joelle Hoeft was published in April 2025 by the Children & Nature Network, which envisions a world in which children have access to the benefits of nature everywhere they live, learn and play. The article spans several Minnesota-based efforts to connect people across generations in nature, with contributions from Kirsten Fagerlund, RN, PHN (retired) from Polk County Public Health, Taylor Holm, Program Officer at Northland Foundation, Anne Jaeger, Naturalist at Three Rivers Park District, and Amy Lemieux, Co-Founder of All Seasons Preschool.
VIDEOS + WEBINARS
Nature enriches lives at every stage, offering benefits to our health, well-being, and sense of community connections. Review these videos to discover more about how nature can inspire flourishing — for yourself and for the world around you.
Project Overview:
Older Adults and Nature in Minnesota
(27 minutes)
This short video features Joelle Hoeft, and provides an overview of Phase 1 and Phase 2 work supported by the Age-Friendly Minnesota Council to improve access to nature as we age.
Jim and Mary: Forces of Nature
(8 minutes)
Habitat Makers™ is a video series about people devoted to ecological restoration. This episode features Jim and Mary Hammill, two older Minnesotans who had a life transition and discovered the restorative powers of ecological restoration and being outdoors in nature.
The Outside Possibility:
Building Health, Wellness & Connection Through Time Together Outdoors
(48 minutes)
This presentation offered as part of the 2023 Age-Friendly Minnesota Conference features Breanna Wheeler with a look at the factors that keep people from spending time outside, the range of benefits, creative ideas, and a few age-friendly projects.
Bridging Generations: Connecting Through Nature
(1 hour)
This webinar features four inspiring programs in Minnesota that bring young people and older people together. Learn how nature-based intergenerational programming provides a range of physical, mental, social, and educational benefits as well as how those interactions promote environmental stewardship and strengthen community ties. Joelle Hoeft moderates a discussion on ways nature can bridge generations and help build thriving, connected communities.
Nature Access for Older Adults with Specific Needs
(1 hour)
This webinar offers a focus on older adults living with dementia, Parkinson’s, and vision impairment. Joelle Hoeft moderates the stories of four Minnesota efforts to pioneer inclusive nature engagement and strategies to ensure access at every age. Through their examples, gain a mix of practical ideas and considerations, focused on efforts to adapt outdoor work in ways that creates meaningful, safe, and enjoyable outdoor experiences as we age.
Discovering Purpose, Meaning, and Creativity Thorugh Nature as We Age
(1 hour)
This webinar offers five inspiring leaders from across Minnesota who share how they are finding purpose, meaning, and creativity in nature as they age. Their stories highlight ways to build community and protect the health of the natural world.
“What do we wish for? To be whole. To be complete.
Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separated from.”
- Terry Tempest Williams
SURVEY SUMMARIES
Arrowhead Regional Development Commission's
2024 Age-Friendly Community Survey Summary - Superior Hiking Trail
(3 pages)
River Bend Nature Center's
Outdoor Interests & Barriers Faced by People with Challenges to Independence or Social Isolation: Recommendations for Decision Makers
(25 pages)
ASSESSING CONNECTIONS TO NATURE
Practitioner Guide to Assessing Connection to Nature
(63 pages)
Overview of Accessing Connections to Nature
(20 minutes)
This brief presentation by Dr. Erica Timko Olson provides a general overview of the Accessing Connection to Nature tools.
OTHER RESOURCES
MN Bike and GO
MN Bike and GO is a free online interactive map crated by a team at the University of Minnesota to identify the location of public restrooms near bicycling and dual walking/bicycling paths and routes throughout the state. You can search and add a to the map. You can contribute to a survey on restroom features, such as cleanliness, hours open, flush or not, handwashing and toilet paper supplies, etc., making it unique and more useful than other existing maps and apps.
Resources to Make Nature & Time Outside Together a Priority
(4-pages)
Curated by Breanna Wheeler in 2023, this resource list includes a selection of local, state and federal places of interest. It spans key programs and organizations to be aware of in your efforts to spend more time outside as well as various apps and ideas to jumpstart your efforts to connect with nature.
Do you have questions about aging and nature? Contact Joelle Hoeft today.
Do you want to stay in know on aging and nature issues? Sign-up today to receive special Aging and Nature communications.
Do you want to share information about models, feedback or sign-up to learn more? Visit our Input Form today.
