How Does Time Outdoors Improve Mental Health?
It is well documented that spending time outdoors, particularly in green spaces where we can ground ourselves and connect to the earth, is one of the best forms of therapy. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that contact with nature reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, while improving attention and resilience. And the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality & Healing emphasizes that being outdoors improves mood, boosts immune function, and enhances recovery from illness.
At the beginning of 2025, “Horticulture as Therapy” was listed as one of the top ten garden trends, and for good reason. As awareness of mental health grows, hospitals and healthcare systems are increasingly turning to horticulture and nature-based programs for healing.
Why Are Oaks Important for Ecosystems and Foraging?
Now that you’re ready to go nutting, we’re excited to spotlight oaks as keystone species! Oaks are divided into two families – white oaks and red oaks; today, we’ll delve into white oaks. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of keystone genera and species, these are plants that play an integral role in supporting insect and avian life in local ecosystems. Oaks, in the genus Quercus, are at the top of the National Wildlife Federation list for the Great Plains ecoregion. Over 250 species of moths and butterflies use native oaks as larval hosts where they lay eggs and upon which their offspring develop and mature. These caterpillars serve as the foundation of the food chain for multiple species of songbirds.
Nut-producing powerhouses like oaks are essential for a thriving ecosystem in our ecoregion. Their acorns feed wildlife, nurture future forests, and even connect us to foraging traditions of the past. But the story doesn’t stop there. You were just going nutting for fun (see our last blog), and all the while you were also interacting with a keystone species that sustains countless birds, insects, and mammals! And if you think even bigger, you can see the cycle. It starts with the simple act of gathering food, then grows into planting trees that support countless species of birds, insects, and mammals around you. And finally, you realize that foraging and gardening are ways to improve your own mental well-being.
Why Is Fall the Perfect Season to Connect with Nature?
Now that we’re entering this fall harvest season, it is an excellent time to get outdoors, if for no other reason than to connect with nature and improve mental wellness. Whether you’re gathering nuts, planting trees, or just going for a hike to clear your head, you’re participating in a cycle that sustains both ecosystems and your own well-being.
So grab a bucket, lace up your boots, and step outside. You’ll nourish wildlife, strengthen your connection to nature, and maybe even create a few simple joys along the way — like roasting hot dogs over a campfire!
