Finding Calm in the Classroom: How Nature is Helping Harford County Students Thrive

Last spring at Edgewood Middle School, a seventh grader sat quietly on a wooded trail during a Nature Worx session. After a few moments of guided breathing, she whispered, “This is the first time I’ve felt calm all week.”

Moments like this capture why Nature Worx exists. In today’s world, students are under immense pressure—from academics to social media to the challenges of growing up. Our school-based nature therapy program offers them something rare and restorative: the chance to step outside, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves.

Thanks to renewed and expanded funding from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, we’re excited to bring this program to even more students this year. Starting this fall, Nature Worx will expand into Aberdeen Middle School and Magnolia Middle School, alongside our ongoing work at Joppatowne High School and Edgewood Middle School. And the results speak for themselves. Last school year:

• 🌱 73% of students reported improvements in both learning and mental health.

• 🌱 Nearly half felt calmer and less anxious after just one session.

• 🌱 Many said they were more likely to spend time outdoors to feel better.

  
  

One student shared, “Walking on the trail and talking about our feelings helped me reconnect with myself.” Another said simply, “I loved how it made me feel.”

These voices remind us that the natural world isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a teacher, a healer, and a source of resilience. Our guides show students simple, accessible tools they can return to anytime: mindful breathing, noticing the beauty around them, and finding peace in nature.

As we expand into more schools across Harford County, our mission remains the same: to help students discover the calm, confidence, and connection that nature provides.

We are deeply grateful to our partners, educators, and funders for making this possible. Together, we’re creating healthier, stronger communities—one mindful step on the trail at a time.

For a link to our full press release highlighting our work in Harford County Public Schools, click here.