Healthier, Happier, Smarter: Wisconsin Voices on the Power of Nature

5. Urban Nature Connection: Addressing Mental Health, Wellness, and Trauma through Outdoor Activity

Reconnecting people and nature - that is the goal of Urban Nature Connection. Timothy Scott, executive director of Urban Nature Connection based in Milwaukee, experienced a family crisis which set his life off kilter. After seeking help through therapy and trying medications that didn’t work for him, he found peace through nature. What started simply as cutting the grass and gardening, has quickly become respite river walks, bike rides, and leading advocacy for access to nature in his community. Bringing on a board that shared the same vision, like Julian Phifer, they now attend meetings pertaining to green space expansions throughout the city, create events for the black and brown communities of the area to get outside together, and promote health and wellness through nature. Links + Resources: Urban Nature Connection: https://www.urbannatureconnection.com/ [https://www.urbannatureconnection.com/] Urban Nature Connection Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/urban_naturemke/ [https://www.instagram.com/urban_naturemke/] Urban Nature Connection Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Urban-Nature-Connection/61581101892117/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Urban-Nature-Connection/61581101892117/] Urban Nature Connection LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-nature-connection-mke [https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-nature-connection-mke] Connect with Timothy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-scott-b1ab5875 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-scott-b1ab5875] Follow the show online:  Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation [https://facebook.com/WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation/] Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://instagram.com/wisconsinassociationforee/?hl=en] LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc] YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://www.youtube.com/@wisconsinassociationforee] View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter [https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter] Thank you to our sponsors and funding partners. Learn more and become a sponsor at https://www.waee.org/our-supporters [https://www.waee.org/our-supporters]

4. Honoring Childhood through Nature Play: Weslie Cymerman On Outdoors We Learn (OWL)

Learning to play outdoors is a learned skill that every child should be able to develop. In today’s episode Weslie Cymerman, founder of Outdoors We Learn (OWL), shares her journey from a nearly 20 year career teaching in the classroom setting, to the creation of her outdoor youth programming. She offers her philosophy of how allowing the opportunity for children to experience nature, and fostering their love for the Earth, leads to resilient children who will be stewards of the land. Having already had a large impact on its local community since its origin in 2020, OWL continues to encourage children of the Madison area to love nature through play!  Links + Resources: Outdoors We Learn: https://www.outdoorswelearnmadison.com/ [https://www.outdoorswelearnmadison.com/] Outdoors We Learn Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorswelearn/ [https://www.instagram.com/outdoorswelearn/] Outdoors We Learn Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/outdoorswelearn [https://www.facebook.com/outdoorswelearn] Connect with Weslie: weslie@outdoorswelearnmadison.com [weslie@outdoorswelearnmadison.com]  Follow the show online:  Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation [https://facebook.com/WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation/] Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://instagram.com/wisconsinassociationforee/?hl=en] LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc] YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://www.youtube.com/@wisconsinassociationforee] View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter [https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter] Thank you to our sponsors: James E Dutton Foundation: https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/ [https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/] Natural Resources Foundation: https://www.wisconservation.org/ [https://www.wisconservation.org/] WAEE Funding Partners: https://www.waee.org/our-supporters [https://www.waee.org/our-supporters] Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin: https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/ [https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/] If you’d like to become a sponsor, contact us at podcast@waee.org [podcast@waee.org].

3. Youth Leading the Way: Chippewa Falls Green Team Turns Environmental Education into Action

In this episode of Healthier, Happier, Smarter, hosts Jaeden and Xia sit down with the Chippewa Falls Green Team — seniors Zoe, Chloe, and Ellie — to explore how student-led environmental action is transforming their school and community. The trio shares how their mostly student-driven group secured drone pilot licenses, wrote grants to fund a solar panel installation at Camp Nawakwa, and brought hands-on renewable energy lessons to elementary classrooms and energy career fairs. From navigating a failed rooftop solar project at their high school to winning the SoulStock competition and earning the Solar Moonshot grant, the Green Team offers Wisconsin educators an inspiring model of what's possible when young people are given the freedom, mentorship, and resources to pursue passion-driven environmental projects.  Links + Resources: Follow the Chippewa Falls Green Team on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chihienvironmentalclub/ [https://www.instagram.com/chihienvironmentalclub/] Follow Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chippewafallsschool [https://www.facebook.com/chippewafallsschool] Show your support for environmental education by becoming a member: waee.org/join [http://waee.org/join] Follow the show online:  Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation [https://facebook.com/WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation/] Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://instagram.com/wisconsinassociationforee/?hl=en] LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc] YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://www.youtube.com/@wisconsinassociationforee] View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter [https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter] Thank you to our sponsors: James E Dutton Foundation: https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/ [https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/] Natural Resources Foundation: https://www.wisconservation.org/ [https://www.wisconservation.org/] WAEE Funding Partners: https://www.waee.org/our-supporters [https://www.waee.org/our-supporters] Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin: https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/ [https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/] If you’d like to become a sponsor, contact us at podcast@waee.org [podcast@waee.org]

2. Teach It Outside: Principal Justin Nies, PhD, Shares a Schoolwide Approach to Outdoor Learning

Outdoor learning is a strategic approach to increasing student engagement, strengthening literacy skills, and building connections within a school community. Educator and administrator Dr. Justin Nies shares how Magee Elementary School in the Kettle Moraine School District implemented a year-long initiative to bring learning beyond the classroom. He explains how outdoor spaces can be used intentionally, reflects on his path into leadership, and highlights how a focus on belonging and transparency supported staff and student success. Links + Resources: Fostering Systems for Innovation Summer Institute (Applications due 5/10/26): https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIDPI/bulletins/414ca5b [https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIDPI/bulletins/414ca5b]  Wisconsin DPI Newsletter: https://dpi.wi.gov/news/dpi-connected/subscribe [https://dpi.wi.gov/news/dpi-connected/subscribe] Last Child in the Woods (Book): https://bookshop.org/a/10747/9781565126053 [https://bookshop.org/a/10747/9781565126053] Children & Nature Network: https://www.childrenandnature.org/ [https://www.childrenandnature.org/] Reach Out to Justin Here: niesjustin@kmsd.edu [niesjustin@kmsd.edu] Show your support for environmental education by becoming a member: waee.org/join [http://waee.org/join] Follow the show online:  Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation [https://facebook.com/WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation/] Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://instagram.com/wisconsinassociationforee/?hl=en] LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc] YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://www.youtube.com/@wisconsinassociationforee] View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter [https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter] Thank you to our sponsors: James E Dutton Foundation: https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/ [https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/] Natural Resources Foundation: https://www.wisconservation.org/ [https://www.wisconservation.org/] WAEE Funding Partners: https://www.waee.org/our-supporters [https://www.waee.org/our-supporters] Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin: https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/ [https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/] If you’d like to become a sponsor, contact us at podcast@waee.org [podcast@waee.org]

1. Growing Connections between Nature and Public Health: A Conversation with Mary Davis Michaud

A sense of awe might be one of the most powerful teaching tools we have. In this episode of the Happier, Healthier, Smarter Podcast, we’re joined by Mary Michaud, educator, public health professional, and certified horticultural therapist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She shares how her deep connection to nature shaped her career and inspired her to create outdoor learning spaces, while challenging students to rethink traditional school environments. We also explore the science behind why nature matters, from attention restoration theory to the well-being benefits of outdoor learning. Mary offers practical strategies for outdoor classrooms, encourages appropriate risk-taking for children, and shares simple ways to reconnect with nature in everyday life. Links + Resources: Nature Play for Healthy Development Blog: https://medium.com/@MaryMichaudHlth/nature-play-for-healthy-development-be5763bea15a [https://medium.com/@MaryMichaudHlth/nature-play-for-healthy-development-be5763bea15a] What the Robin Knows by Jon Young: https://bookshop.org/a/10747/9780544002302 [https://bookshop.org/a/10747/9780544002302] Follow Mary’s Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginkgoartsandletters/ [https://www.instagram.com/ginkgoartsandletters/] Show your support for environmental education by becoming a member: waee.org/join [http://waee.org/join] Follow the show online:  Facebook: @WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation [https://facebook.com/WisconsinAssociationforEnvironmentalEducation/] Instagram: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://instagram.com/wisconsinassociationforee/?hl=en] LinkedIn: wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisconsin-association-for-environmental-education-inc] YouTube: @wisconsinassociationforee [https://www.youtube.com/@wisconsinassociationforee] View all book recommendations from the podcast: https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter [https://bookshop.org/lists/healthier-happier-smarter] Thank you to our sponsors: James E Dutton Foundation: https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/ [https://www.jameseduttonfoundation.org/] Natural Resources Foundation: https://www.wisconservation.org/ [https://www.wisconservation.org/] WAEE Funding Partners: https://www.waee.org/our-supporters [https://www.waee.org/our-supporters] Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin: https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/ [https://green-and-healthy-schools-wi-dnr.hub.arcgis.com/] If you’d like to become a sponsor, contact us at podcast@waee.org [podcast@waee.org]