Nature and Well-Being Project

The Nature Nook intervention will take place on lots that already have the standard greening intervention. In addition, design elements will be added such as a simple path and benches to explicitly invite people into the space. An additional difference is the exclusive use of larger, corner lots, rather than smaller mid-block spaces, to maximize visibility.

"The Nature Coach Intervention consists of 3 components - home visit, text message follow up, and goal feedback.~Home visit. During the 1-hour home visit, the coach will (a) provide education about the health benefits of nature, (b) identify nearby nature targets for the participant to visit, (c) complete a pre-commitment contract based on individualized weekly nature goals, and (d) brainstorm barriers and solutions to reaching the goals.~Personalized weekly text messages. Texts will serve as reminders of goals set with the Nature Coach, as well as encouragement to meet the goals. The context of text messages with change slightly based on individual participants, the goals they set, and the barriers they identify.~Goal feedback- At the end of each week, participants will receive a progression badge via text message that shows the amount of days and time they spent in nature, and how this matched up to the goal set with the Nature Coach."

The combined intervention will involve the installation of Nature Nooks to blighted vacant lots followed by the delivery of the Nature Coach intervention to people living in the immediate surrounding blocks. The intervention will be tailored to explicitly direct participants to use the Nature Nook.