Nurturing Connection to Nature: Designing Spaces for Ecological Engagement
In an era and society dominated by digital interfaces, many lose their connection to nature, community, and the urban fabric. In turn, this disconnection yields a dip in individual happiness and civic engagement.
This detachment from nature not only impoverishes personal well-being, but also diminishes stewardship for our natural and built environments. Research in social sciences underscores the necessity of personal connections to places for fostering care and engagement.
An Approach to Nurturing Connection to Nature
In response, we endeavor to craft gardens, parks, plazas, streetscapes, and trail systems that do more than simply beautify. We aim to design places that serve as catalysts for community interaction and personal affinity with nature. In doing so, we aim to create places which nurture a connection to nature.
The Nature Conservancy hired Io Landscape Architecture to oversee the design, manufacturing, and installation of trail wayfinding and educational signage at their White Dome Nature Preserve in St. George, Utah. The purpose of the project is to facilitate public access and educate visitors on the importance of the Preserve. The 660-acre White Dome Nature Preserve protects the habitat for two federally-listed plants: the endangered dwarf bear-poppy, and the threatened Siler pincushion cactus.
Io designed the Butterfly Garden addition to the Annie Taylor Dee Guest Home at McKay Dee Hospital, a landscape designed to provide physical and emotional support for caregivers and families of patients at the hospital. The butterfly garden creates a quiet contemplative space where individuals can find emotional and spiritual healing through nature. This symbiotic space also provides habitat for dwindling butterfly populations.
We design our projects to offer rich, engaging experiences that encourage frequent and meaningful interactions with the environment. By blending aesthetic appeal with functional biodiversity in our designs, we set the stage for direct, impactful nature encounters. These experiences are essential for cultivating a deep-seated ecological ethos. Spaces thoughtfully designed for ecological engagement become platforms for individuals to forge lasting bonds with their surroundings. In turn, this nurtures connection to nature and inspires proactive environmental stewardship and community involvement.
At the Weiss residence, the waterwise landscape features an abundance of pollinator friendly plants in a landscape irresistible to both humans and pollinators.
Interested in Learning More?
Principal Shalae Larsen will dive deeper into this topic at this year’s Intermountain Sustainability Summit (March 20-21, Weber State University). Stay tuned!