Dr. Melissa Lem Launches Global Nature Prescription Alliance
The new international alliance aims to connect health providers who prescribe time in nature to boost patient wellness.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Alternative Medicine
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Should doctors in your area formally prescribe time in nature as part of healthcare treatment?
Vancouver physician Dr. Melissa Lem launched the International Nature Prescribing Alliance this week at the COP17 biodiversity summit in Armenia. The collaborative effort aims to share expertise and facilitate nature-based health programs globally.
Why it matters
The move follows international demand to replicate Canada's successful nature prescription model, which connects health outcomes to environmental engagement. By facilitating global connectivity, the alliance seeks to support the health benefits of spending time in nature.
The PaRx program currently includes 22,000 health-care providers who advocate for two hours of weekly nature exposure to improve health. This initiative aligns with the 2030 global target to protect 30 percent of the world's land and water.
The players
Dr. Melissa Lem
A Vancouver family physician who founded the Canadian nature prescription program known as PaRx.
Canadian Medical Association
The national professional association representing physicians across Canada that has officially endorsed the PaRx program.
B.C. Parks Foundation
A provincial organization that collaborates on nature-based health initiatives and park access programs.
Wildlife Trusts
A network of conservation charities working to protect nature and wildlife through collaborative initiatives.
Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring
An organization dedicated to child-centered social and environmental values that supports the global nature prescribing collaboration.
The details
The alliance serves as an online hub featuring an interactive map of existing global programs, supported by partners like the B.C. Parks Foundation and the Wildlife Trusts. It allows providers to issue prescriptions for park passes and other nature-related opportunities as a clinical intervention.
Timeline
The International Nature Prescribing Alliance launched the week of October 23, 2026.
The Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework was established in 2022.
The global target to protect 30 percent of land and water is set for 2030.
Health Landscape
This initiative extends the goals established by the 2022 Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework by integrating clinical health outcomes with environmental protection. It marks a shift toward treating environmental health as a component of public medical practice.
Patients may increasingly see nature-based activities integrated into their medical treatment plans as more providers adopt these frameworks. This approach encourages spending two hours weekly in green spaces to realize measurable improvements in mental and physical health.
The takeaway
Prescribing time in natural environments is becoming a recognized medical strategy to improve public health outcomes. Readers can proactively improve their well-being by incorporating two hours of weekly outdoor time into their own personal health routines.
Further reading
For more information on holistic wellness approaches, explore our Alternative Medicine section.
Live Poll
Should doctors in your area formally prescribe time in nature as part of healthcare treatment?
