Funded Projects

Nurturing Latinx Children's Health Through Nature

Project Year

2022

City & State

Eugene, Oregon

Program Name

CATCH Implementation

Topic

Mental Health (LHI)

Program Description

Problem: In October 2021, the AAP declared a national emergency in children’s mental health. Children in communities of color have been disproportionately affected. One priority identified by the AAP is to fund community-based systems of care that connect families to evidence-based psychosocial interventions. (1) According to a 2017 review, access to green space was associated with improved mental health, cognitive development and overall health (2). Recognition of the importance of access to natural areas has led to “park prescriptions” through several organizations. A 2020 report (3) outlined how communities of color have historically had less access to natural areas. With the widespread recognition of systemic racism, many environmental organizations have initiated projects to increase diversity in park access and conservation efforts. Eugene and Springfield are neighboring cities in Oregon's Willamette Valley with combined populations of ~240,000, of which about 80% is white and 10% Latino. Local pediatricians have observed a recent increase in anxiety and depression, consistent with national trends. While all children are faced with the uncertainties of the pandemic and climate change, BIPOC students face additional problems. Many children from lower income and immigrant families had difficulty with online school. A higher proportion of BIPOC students have lost family members to COVID-19. Increased racism has made many feel unwelcome and/or unsafe. While many children need counseling, others could benefit from programs that would allow them to spend time in natural areas, to connect with other children, and to relax together with their families in safe environments. While many Latinx families in my clinic have enjoyed camping, picnicking or hiking in natural areas, the increased expression of racism nationally and locally have made many feel less safe in these activities. There is a need for nearby natural areas that clearly welcome Latinx and other BIPOC families. Primary Setting: 1. Mount Pisgah Arboretum (the Arboretum) is a community-supported non-profit that aims to engage people with nature through interactive learning and stewardship on its 209-acre site. Located within Lane County’s 2,200-acres Howard Buford Recreation Area, the Arboretum contains a wide range of native habitats where visitors discover Southern Willamette Valley ecology. The Arboretum features seven miles of family-friendly trails with dynamic, interactive learning stations, and offers nature education programs for all ages, plus a large pavilion for community events. 2. Pediatric and Family Medicine Clinics in Eugene/Springfield providing care to Latinx children. Number of Children Affected: Migrant Education Project: 350 children preschool to high school. Pediatric/Family Medicine Clinics: ~2500 Spanish-speaking children in Pediatrics and Family Medicine Clinics Project Goals: --Utilize Mount Pisgah Arboretum to improve Latinx children's mental and physical health by increasing access to and use of natural spaces. --Promote Latinx youth leadership Proposed Intervention: --12 Migrant Education Program youth will participate in the Arboretum's summer leadership program (summer of 2022). --During the summer, student leaders will work with Arboretum and Migrant Education Program staff to plan nature walks for younger students, and to conduct land stewardship projects. --Interested students may continue leading walks for Latinx families during the school year. --Pediatricians and family medicine doctors will give out Pisgah Prescriptions and Arboretum maps to parents of Latinx children. The providers will discuss the benefits of physical activity, outdoor activities, and family activities on physical and mental health. --Those families interested in repeat visits to the Arboretum may apply for sponsored memberships. --Review progress and apply for future grants. 1. AAP News, 10/19/21 2. Rachel McCormick. J Pediatr Nurs. Nov-Dec 2017 3. “The Nature Gap,” Center for American Progress, July 2020

Project Goal

Improve Latinx children's mental health by increasing access to and use of Mt. Pisgah Arboretum by Latinx families. Develop Latinx youth nature leaders.

Project Objective 1

Pediatric providers will provide 300 Prescriptions for Pisgah, Pisgah maps and anticipatory guidance on benefits of outdoor and family activities during the funded year.

Project Objective 2

During the summer of 2022, Mount Pisgah Arboretum staff will train twelve Latinx teens to lead nature walks and other activities.

Project Objective 3

The teen leaders will lead one nature walk for Migrant Education Project younger children during the summer of 2022, and monthly for Latinx families during 2022-2023 project year.

AAP District

District VIII

Institutional Name

Mt. Pisgah Arboretum

Contact 1

Lauren Herbert