Nature as Medicine Initiative
Partnering with regional parks, greenways and conservation partners to bring the healing power of natural spaces into patient care.
Bringing Nature and Medicine Together
Launching August 2026
The Open Field Health Collaborative, in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Conservation, is launching an autumn pilot program designed for the CoxHealth community.
This initiative brings the healing power of the natural world into clinical care, using our beautiful local trails and conservation spaces as a natural extension of the clinic.
By moving care outside the traditional clinic walls, this pilot demonstrates a practical, localized approach to community lifestyle medicine, showing how prescriptive access to nature can treat and prevent chronic, stress-induced conditions.
For Healthcare
Nature as Medicine Continuing Medical Education and Hike
A successful launch! This August 27th event was made possible by a true community collaboration. We thank the CoxHealth Office of Medical Education and the CoxHealth Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and Springfield Community Gardens. Refreshments made possible with generous support from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
This seminar and Missouri Department of Conservation guided-hike equipped clinicians and other healthcare professionals with the evidence-based science, tools, and local resources to utilize nature as a health intervention.
Stay tuned for future dates and details about the Nature as Medicine series for healthcare professionals.
For the Community
Weekly Community Nature & Health Circles
Timeline: October Wednesdays 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Location: Springfield Conservation Nature Center
4601 S Nature Center Way, Springfield, MO 65804
Who: CoxHealth patient community
These weekly community health circles bring lifestyle medicine to life in a relaxed, supportive group setting. Co-facilitated by Family Medicine physicians and Department of Conservation staff, these circles offer CoxHealth patients a path to healing from stress and chronic illnesses. This pilot program is free to attend.
CoxHealth patients can self-refer below or be referred by their care team. Register by September 30th.
What patients will experience:
Practical Health Conversations: Friendly, evidence-based group discussions focusing on simple, real-world ways to reduce stress, improve sleep, and nourish your body.
Guided Nature Immersion: Unhurried outdoor experiences along the nature center trails, designed to help you reconnect with the environment, restore physical vitality, and build lasting wellness habits.
Heart-Centered Connection: A welcoming group dynamic that counters isolation, offering a safe space to share your journey and build a community of health and flourishing.
If you are a clinician looking to refer a patient or want to learn more about how to get involved, please reach out to us at info@OpenFieldHealthCollaborative.org.
