Nature & Health Colorado

In addition to program evaluation support and scientific research, cNISP also convenes the Northern Colorado (NH-NOCO) chapter of the Nature and Health Alliance, joining sister groups in Utah and Washington. This is intended to be a space to foster community and collaboration for those interested in nature and human health.

We host a variety of informal gatherings for individuals (i.e., researchers, practitioners, forest therapy guides, extension specialists) and groups (i.e., nonprofits, businesses) interested in nature and human health. These events occur in a wide variety of settings, and have included facilitated discussions, informal networking events at local breweries, and guest speakers, to name a few. All events are free to attend and open to anyone.


Upcoming Events

Stephen Aichele, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, is giving a TED-style presentation titled “The influence of air pollution exposure on cognitive decline, cognitive impairment, and dementia risk in middle-aged and older adults.” A description of the presentation is below.

Description: Cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia affect 15-20% of people over 60, with rising global costs nearing $1 trillion annually. As these conditions have no cure, identifying modifiable risk factors is crucial. Growing evidence suggests that long-term air pollution exposure may contribute to cognitive decline and dementia risk. However, its specific impact on different cognitive abilities, such as reasoning and processing speed, is not well understood. This study will examine the effects of air pollution on cognitive decline across five domains and the risk of CI and dementia in 6,203 adults from the Manchester Longitudinal Study of Cognition.

Monday, November 18th

12:00 PM – 1:15 PM MT

Location: Colorado State University Center for Healthy Aging (151 W Lake St, Fort Collins, CO 80524)

Lily Durkee is giving a guest lecture about Diversify Whitewater, a nonprofit organization that she created and founded with the mission to “promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in paddle sports by removing the barriers that may exist for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and allies in kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and stand-up paddleboarding.” Food will be available to purchase and drink tickets will be provided. No flyer yet – Save the date!

Wednesday, December 4th

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM MT

Location: Avogadro’s Number (605 S Mason St, Fort Collins, CO 80524)