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Media Archive

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June 1, 2025

Prescribing Nature for Human Health: An Examination of Public Interest, Barriers, and Enablers Related to Nature Prescription Programming in Canada

A new peer-reviewed study co-authored by Dr. Melissa Lem examines PaRx and the growing impact of nature prescriptions across Canada, and explores ways to improve access.

April 1, 2025

PaRx Prescription Program: Asking Your Doctor About a Prescription for Touching Grass

Andy Day, CEO of BC Parks Foundation, joins Virgin Radio Earth Day Party hosts Shannon Burns and Sarah Christie to share the health benefits of nature, tricks for developing nature-based habits, and how connecting to nature can lead to environmental stewardship.

March 28, 2025

A Dose of Nature: Free Park Visits for Health and Wellness

The Spec highlights how Conservation Halton and PaRx have teamed up to make it easier for residents to improve their physical and mental health through nature.

January 29, 2025

Social and Nature Prescribing Playbook

The Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing's Playbook features PaRx in its practical guide to advancing social and nature prescribing for better health and environmental outcomes.

January 23, 2025

Kawartha Conservation and PaRx partner to promote nature prescriptions

The Peterborough Examiner covers PaRx's new collaboration with Kawartha Conservation, helping make nature more accessible in the Kawartha Lakes region.

January 4, 2025

Want to get a prescription for nature access in Canada? Here's how it works

CBC highlights PaRx's latest collaboration with Conservation Halton and Halton Healthcare, enabling healthcare professionals to prescribe time to local conservation areas to support mental and physical health.

January 4, 2025

Halton Healthcare begins writing prescriptions for nature for patients

Global News covers PaRx's new collaboration with Conservation Halton and interviews Tom Hamilton, a PaRx patient, about how his nature prescription played a part in his recovery.

December 28, 2024

Doctors in Halton, Ont. can now prescribe patients to visit conservation parks in the region

CTV interviews Dr. Subani Selvarajah, Chief of Family Medicine at Halton Healthcare, about the science behind nature prescriptions and the collaboration with PaRx.

December 26, 2024

Doctors in Halton can now prescribe nature 'to help people have a better quality of life'

CBC reports on PaRx's new initiative with Conservation Halton, where patients issued a nature prescription can receive 10 free visits for their health.

December 18, 2024

Why more doctors are prescribing walks in the park

CambridgeToday.ca highlights Halton Healthcare as the first hospital network in Canada to collaborate with PaRx.

December 4, 2024

Conservation Halton and PaRx join forces to boost health through nature

YourTV Halton interviews MP Adam van Koeverden about his support for PaRx's new collaboration with Conservation Halton and Halton Healthcare.

December 3, 2024

Halton doctors can now prescribe free conservation park visits as part of mental health care

Milton Today covers how Conservation Halton and PaRx are teaming up to address 'skyrocketing' levels of anxiety and depression.

December 2, 2024

Anxiety, depression skyrockets: Halton doctors can now prescribe free conservation park visits

Burlington Today features PaRx's new collaboration with Conservation Halton.

November 1, 2024

'Natural Prescription': Doctors Must Stand Up for the Health of People and the Planet

South Korea's Planet03 highlights Canada's PaRx and how nature prescriptions have a positive impact on planetary health.

September 24, 2024

Nature Prescriptions: The Growing Trend of Doctors Prescribing Time Outdoors

Living Architecture Monitor highlights PaRx in its feature on nature prescriptions.

September 17, 2024

Connecting and tree-ting with nature

PaRx prescriber Dr. Jeevyn Chahal shares how she's connecting her patients to nature in innovative ways in the BC Medical Journal.

August 30, 2024

Take transit to nature: how one rider discovered the health benefits

Translink's Buzzer Blog features Kai Bowes, and how visiting local green spaces was his perfect formula for better personal and planetary health.

July 11, 2024

The Cure for Climate Anxiety: Spend More Time in Nature

The Good Men Project covers the mental health benefits of nature, the PaRx program, and our easy green tweaks.

July 3, 2024

The Fourth Pillar of Health: Nature Time

Misty Pratt reflects on her own nature prescription and the science behind the health benefits of nature.

June 13, 2024

Taking Action Together: Canada's 2024 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals

The Government of Canada recognizes PaRx as a way to inspire Canadians to take climate action throughout their lives, and ensure they are well eqipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change.

June 13, 2024

Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy: Halting and Reversing Biodiversity Loss in Canada

The federal government highlights PaRx as a successful initaitive designed to educate, raise awareness, and facilitate broader involvement in Canada's 2030 Nature Strategy.

April 24, 2024

Evo car share is offering free minutes for a good cause

Global News features PaRx's collaboration with Evo, the first time a major mobility organization and nature prescription program have ever partnered.

April 22, 2024

B.C. car share service offers free rides to nature patients

Vancouver Is Awesome covers PaRx's brand new collaboration with Evo Car Share, making it easier for people in Vancouver and Victoria to get to their favourite nature spots for their health.

March 31, 2024

Where to get outdoors in Canada

In collaboration with Explore Canada, Expedia features PaRx Director Dr. Melissa Lem and our ground-breaking nature prescription program in its recent mini series about what makes Canada incredible.

March 26, 2024

Green Exercise as an Opportunity to Promote Equity in Physical Activity Engagement Across Diverse Populations

The Journal of Physical Activity and Health's recently published article underscores the potential of nature prescriptions, emphasizing their role in promoting physical activity and improving mental well-being among older adults.

March 26, 2024

Hiking Isn’t Just Good For Your Body — It’s Great For Your Mind, Too

Reader's Digest's Best Health magazine features PaRx and the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.

March 22, 2024

The Walrus Talks - Nature

PaRx Director Dr. Melissa Lem discusses the rationale behind nature prescriptions and Canada's nature-health movement at The Walrus Talks: Nature event (45 minutes).

March 19, 2024

Connect To Nature With Your PaRx Prescription and TRCA

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority announces a new collaboration with PaRx; helping people in the GTA get outside for their health all year round.

March 15, 2024

Nature of Wellness Podcast

Dr. Mark Campbell with the Nature of Wellness Podcast sits down with PaRx Director Dr. Melissa Lem to discuss the intersection of nature, health, and wellbeing.

February 3, 2024

Nature Heals | Dr. Melissa Lem: The Doctor Who Prescribes Nature

Jellis Vaes with The IPS Project hosts PaRx Director Dr. Melissa Lem to discuss the health benefits of nature and PaRx.

January 29, 2024

The healing power of nature and birds

Hosted by Andrea Gress, Birds Canada's award-winning podcast, The Warblers, interviews PaRx Director Dr. Melissa Lem about PaRx and the health benefits of nature.

January 21, 2024

Jane Goodall on the connection between humans and the natural world

At the World Economic Forum, renowned primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall highlights PaRx while discussing the importance of connecting to nature for your health.

December 27, 2023

(Re)Connecting with Nature: Exploring Nature-Based Interventions for Psychological Health and Wellbeing

This Managing Protected Areas chapter discusses the urgent call for ways to reprioritise the connection of people to the environment as a key public health straegy and highlights Canada as a leader in the global Healthy Parks Healthy People movement.

December 10, 2023

Prescripciones de naturaleza: cómo es el programa que habilita a los médicos a recetar visitas a los parques nacionales por trastornos de ansiedad

Argentina's La Nacion reviews the PaRx program and the growing global interest in nature prescriptions.

December 4, 2023

WHO-IUCN Report features PaRx

In WHO-IUCN's COP28 report, PaRx is highlighted as a silo-breaking way to educate and empower health professionals to engage in nature-based solutions for human health.

October 4, 2023

Medicine that’s a breath of fresh air

News Decoder features PaRx and how connecting with nature is an effective way to promote planetary health.

September 28, 2023

Healthcare professionals can now prescribe visits to the Toronto Zoo

CTV News reports on PaRx's first ever collaboration with a zoo and how healthcare providers can get involved with the program.

September 27, 2023

Your doctor can now prescribe you a day trip to the Toronto Zoo

City News covers PaRx's new collaboration with the Toronto Zoo including interviews with PaRx Director Dr. Melissa Lem and Toronto Zoo CEO Dolf Dejong.

September 4, 2023

Why a museum trip may just be what the doctor ordered

CBC News covers PaRx's new partnering agreement with the Canadian Museum of Nature.

September 3, 2023

Why a doctor's prescription could include more time with mother nature

CFRA Live's Andrew Pinsent discusses PaRx's new collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature with Dr. Melissa Lem.

September 1, 2023

Canadian Museum of Nature joins PaRx nature-prescription program

CBC's All in a Day host Alan Neal speaks with Dr. Melissa Lem and Angeline Laffin, Vice-President at the Canadian Museum of Nature, about how a prescription to the museum can improve your health.

September 1, 2023

Doctors can now prescribe a trip to the museum

CTV Morning Live interviews Ottawa physician and PaRx prescriber Dr. Sehjal Bhargava about the connection between nature and health, and PaRx's new collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature.

August 31, 2023

Doctors can now prescribe a dose of healthy learning with a trip to Canadian Museum of Nature

580 CFRA's Kristy Cameron with Ottawa Now speaks with Dr. Melissa Lem and Darcy Ferron, Vice-President at the Canadian Museum of Nature, about PaRx's new collaboration.

August 31, 2023

Doctors can now prescribe patients a trip to the Canadian Museum of Nature

CTV News Ottawa covers PaRx's new collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature.

August 29, 2023

Why some health-care professionals in Canada are prescribing nature to patients

Shelley Steeves with Global News reports on PaRx and the widespread health benefits of getting grounded in nature.

July 14, 2023

Stressed about climate change? Take a hike

Canada's National Observer's Zero Carbon newsletter profiles the work of Dr. Melissa Lem and PaRx.

July 14, 2023

Ontario College of Family Physicians President's Message

Dr. Mekalai Kumanan points to PaRx as an inspiration for her own health and wellness practice.

July 13, 2023

A new Planetary Health for Primary Care guide

Dr. Melissa Lem talks about the planetary health benefits of nature prescribing with Canada's National Observer.

July 5, 2023

In Canada, nature by prescription

The UNESCO Courier interviews Dr. Claudel Pétrin-Desrosiers about the health benefits of prescribing nature.

June 5, 2023

Making Waves

Each week the Globe and Mail profiles a Canadian making a difference in its climate newsletter. This week, it highlights the work of Dr. Melissa Lem and PaRx.

May 29, 2023

With Green Prescriptions, Getting Healthier Is a Walk in the Park

New York's Reasons to be Cheerful magazine features PaRx as a solution for some of the world's most pressing problems.

May 16, 2023

Q&A: Physician and founder of Park Prescriptions on the healing power of nature

wmnHealth speaks with Dr. Melissa Lem about the rise of the PaRx program—and why our brains thrive on nature.

May 13, 2023

‘This my therapy,’ says Cape Breton nature photographer who battled cancer through his craft

The Globe and Mail interviews Dr. Melissa Lem for a story about how spending time outdoors improved one man's health during cancer treatment.

April 26, 2023

PaRx: Removing barriers to nature access and improving health through nature

PANORAMA Solutions for a Healthy Planet features PaRx's collaboration with Parks Canada as an innovative way to inspire conservation, tackle global challenges and improve health.

April 20, 2023

What is a nature bath and how can it help with anxiety?

Lifestyle Asia mentions PaRx in its coverage of how spending time in nature improves mental health.

April 4, 2023

Take a walk not a pill - nature prescriptions on the rise

1News in New Zealand includes PaRx in its coverage of a new scientific review of the health benefits of nature prescribing.

March 27, 2023

Wild Embrace: Joining the dots of environmental and human health crises

The Irish Times spotlights the launch of PaRx in an article about how connecting to the living world can inspire action for planetary health.

March 15, 2023

University of Wollongong Australia ‘nature prescription’ randomised trial for chronic disease management receives $1.5 million

UoW announces successful grant funding for a ground-breaking nature prescription trial with Director of PaRx, Dr. Melissa Lem, as a co-investigator.

March 14, 2023

Meet the doctor prescribing nature to her patients

The Weather Network's first Climate Changemakers episode features Dr. Melissa Lem and how prescribing time in nature benefits our health and the environment.

March 8, 2023

5 stories of women tackling climate change with science

For International Women's Day, the Weather Network celebrates the power moms hold to take climate action, including Dr. Melissa Lem.

February 25, 2023

Developing Trusted Voices for Planetary Health: Findings from a Clinicians for Planetary Health (C4PH) Workshop

Dr. Melissa Lem co-authors a paper in Challenges Journal that features PaRx as a way to integrate planetary health into clinical practice.

January 31, 2023

TELUS Talks | Get outdoors, doctor’s orders: Dr. Melissa Lem

Tamara Taggart speaks with Dr. Melissa Lem about the benefits of nature prescriptions and spending time outdoors.

January 17, 2023

Enjoying nature may lessen need for some medications, study finds

CNN mentions Dr. Melissa Lem's Chasing Life podcast episode with Dr. Sanjay Gupta in an article about the potential of nature to reduce medication needs.

January 12, 2023

Touch grass: BC’s nature-prescription program operates across Canada

Dr. Melissa Lem speaks with Science World about the latest PaRx developments and the health benefits of nature.

January 11, 2023

Saskatchewan families take on challenge to spend 1,000 hours outside in a year

CBC News interviews Dr. Melissa Lem about how getting outside can improve family health.

January 2, 2023

Need and Interest in Nature Prescriptions to Protect Cardiovascular and Mental Health

Dr. Melissa Lem helps co-author a study showing high levels of interest in nature prescriptions in Australia.

December 30, 2022

How NHS nature prescriptions for building ‘bug hotels’ and countryside walks are boosting wellbeing

The chief executive of Wildlife Trusts mentions Canada's national nature prescription program in an interview with i Newspaper in the UK.

December 29, 2022

22 Problems Solved in 2022

Wendover Productions celebrates PaRx's collaboration with Parks Canada as one of the major successes of 2022.

December 27, 2022

PaRx: A prescription for nature

Reporter Jillian Austin reflects on her PaRx prescription as a mom in the Brandon Sun.

December 19, 2022

CBC Vancouver News: Keeping holidays ‘Healthy’

Host Dan Burritt speaks with Dr. Melissa Lem about holiday health and the CMA's endorsement of PaRx at COP15.

December 17, 2022

Canadian Medical Association endorses B.C. Parks Foundation plan to prescribe nature

The Vancouver Sun covers the CMA's groundbreaking endorsement of PaRx at COP15.

November 17, 2022

Design Lab with Bon Ku: Ep 97 with Melissa Lem

Dr. Bon Ku interviews Dr. Melissa Lem about PaRx and the health benefits of nature for his Design Lab podcast.

November 14, 2022

Dr. Melissa Lem wins the 2022 Adult Nature Inspiration Award

The Canadian Museum of Nature celebrates Dr. Melissa Lem's win of a 2022 Nature Inspiration Award.

November 11, 2022

The Nature Prescription

Massachusetts General Hospital's Proto Magazine features Dr. Melissa Lem in a profile for its Fall 2022 edition.

September 23, 2022

Climate anxiety is affecting more & more people. Here's how some doctors are trying to treat it

CBC Radio includes Dr. Melissa Lem's perspectives on prescribing nature in a piece on how doctors treat climate anxiety.

September 22, 2022

Natural Medicine: Memorial researchers endorse Canada's first nature prescription program

Memorial University's Gazette covers the launch of PaRx in Newfoundland and Labrador.

September 20, 2022

The Current: Climate anxiety and prescribing nature

Guest host Peter Armstrong talks with Dr. Melissa Lem about climate anxiety and how prescribing nature can help on CBC Radio's The Current.

September 19, 2022

Doctor prescribes another path toward dealing with depression

The Montreal Gazette interviews Dr. Melissa Lem about PaRx in advance of her keynote at the 2022 McGill Trottier Public Science Symposium.

September 13, 2022

Why Climate? Podcast: A Prescription for Nature

Andrew Holloway of the New Brunswick Lung Association discusses health, nature and our changing climate with Dr. Melissa Lem.

September 4, 2022

Dr. Melissa Lem: Nature Prescriptions

Dr. Melissa Lem talks PaRx with CBC Radio Montreal’s Sonali Karnick on All in a Weekend.

August 28, 2022

How green is your Metro Vancouver city?

The Vancouver Sun interviews Dr. Melissa Lem about the importance of urban trees and green spaces for health.

August 18, 2022

Canadian doctors are prescribing national parks passes to patients on the mend

Men’s Journal covers PaRx and its collaboration with Parks Canada.

August 15, 2022

How to write a nature prescription for your family

National Geographic Family interviews Dr. Melissa Lem about the research behind nature’s health benefits.

August 1, 2022

Spending time outdoors can quell anxiety, research suggests

Dr. Melissa Lem speaks with the Toronto Star about the science behind how green time improves anxiety.

July 28, 2022

Au Canada, les médecins prescrivent aussi des “bains de nature”

France’s L’Express news magazine interviews Dr. Melissa Lem about PaRx and the health benefits of nature.

July 14, 2022

The power of nature to heal and improve well-being

Adam Walsh of CBC Radio’s CrossTalk interviews Dr. Monika Dutt about our Newfoundland and Labrador launch.

July 7, 2022

PaRx: Parks Prescription Program

CBC Radio’s On The Go with Anthony Germain interviews three of our PaRx Newfoundland and Labrador team members about our local launch.

July 6, 2022

Interview with Melissa Lem on making nature more accessible and becoming a climate activist

Canadian Geographic interviews Dr. Lem about PaRx and her journey to nature prescribing.

July 5, 2022

Dr. Monika Dutt on prescribing nature

Krissy Holmes of CBC Radio’s St. John’s Morning show talks with Dr. Monika Dutt about our PaRx launch in Newfoundland and Labrador.

July 5, 2022

Spending some time in nature could be just what the doctor ordered

CBC Newfoundland Morning speaks with Dr. Monika Dutt about our local launch.

July 4, 2022

Doctor prescribed nature pass program takes effect at Milner Gardens

Nanaimo News Now covers Milner Gardens’ offer of free admission to PaRx patients on Vancouver Island.

June 20, 2022

The mental and physical benefits of getting outdoors

Discover Magazine interviews Dr. Melissa Lem about nature access and optimal dosing.

June 7, 2022

The “Healthy Parks-Healthy People” movement in Canada

Dr. Melissa Lem co-authors a paper in Parks Journal about progress and challenges in Canada’s parks and health movement.

May 30, 2022

Healing Gardens

Vision TV includes Dr. Melissa Lem’s perspectives on nature and health in its 10-part Healing Gardens documentary series.

May 28, 2022

Metro Vancouver regional parks count more than 16 million total visits in 2021

CBC British Columbia quotes Dr. Melissa Lem in its article on increasing park visits during the pandemic.

May 23, 2022

For the Love of Parks

Adrienne Lamb of CBC Radio’s Our Edmonton interviews Dr. Melissa Lem for its one-hour special on Canada’s growing passion for parks.

May 16, 2022

La nature, alliée de notre santé psychologique

Dr. Claudel Pétrin-Desrosiers and the Prescri-Nature team announce the launch of Quebec’s nature prescription program in La Presse.

May 16, 2022

Park Prescriptions: The science behind nature and health

Dr. Melissa Lem speaks with Community Rec Magazine about PaRx and the health benefits of nature.

May 8, 2022

Waiting for wilderness: Nature prescription program sees overwhelming demand

Dr. Melissa Lem talks about PaRx’s incredibly successful collaboration with Parks Canada with CBC British Columbia.

May 8, 2022

Medizin: In Kanada gibt es jetzt Wandern auf Rezept

Germany’s Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper covers PaRx’s collaboration with Parks Canada.

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