Nature at Work: A Statewide Initiative Connecting Health, Business and the Outdoors
A recently launched program provides a practical framework for building healthier people, workplaces and communities across the Palmetto State. By Lisa Moody Breslin
Dr. Susan Johnson, a longtime leader in workforce well-being and public health, has launched Nature at Work, a new statewide initiative focused on reconnecting people to nature for better health and stronger communities. “The official launch of Nature at Work is the very best of South Carolina,” said South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette during the 2025 SC7 Expedition in mid-July. “I applaud leaders from the public and private sectors for coming together to unite health, business and the outdoors to help create and foster thriving workplaces and stronger communities.”
Dr. Johnson’s Path to Nature and Wellness
From her early post-college days founding Calibogue Kayak Company in Hilton Head, Dr. Johnson has always recognized the powerful connection between nature and well-being. Her passion for conservation has guided each chapter of her career. During her 15-year tenure at the Medical University of South Carolina as director of health promotion and assistant professor in the College of Health Professions, Dr. Johnson helped build an urban farm, an outdoor fitness park and opportunities for farmers’ markets. “I was fortunate that we had a president who saw my vision,” she said. “We knew that workplace well-being went beyond screenings and stress management. Based on my research, I knew that when patients were in hospital settings that included nature – even if it was just a view outside a window – they had better outcomes, even earlier discharges. That knowledge guided our wellness strategies.” Dr. Johnson also co-founded the South Carolina Business Challenge, a free collaborative program designed to help businesses and organizations improve the overall health and well-being of their employees and create a culture of wellness at work. “Nature at Work is a thrilling full circle for me,” she added.
Building Healthier People and Communities
Grounded in a growing body of research linking time in nature to improved physical, mental and social health, Nature at Work provides an evidence-informed framework for building healthier people, workplaces and communities across South Carolina. It connects people, businesses and communities to nature-based strategies that support healthier lives, stronger organizations and a more resilient state. “Dr. Johnson has formed a great team of leaders representing a number of different disciplines – science and engineering, business, landscape, insurance, municipalities, government, higher education and nonprofits – which will be a great catalyst to get great work done,” said Brian Thill, chief experience officer and senior vice president of education for the South Carolina Aquarium and a Nature at Work adviser.
Core Focus Areas
Nature at Work’s platform is built around four key areas:
• Workplace Wellness Innovation: Integrating nature into the built environment, daily practices and workplace culture to promote well-being at every level.
• Service Ecosystem and Provider Support: Showcasing and supporting nature-based businesses and nonprofits by connecting them with employers and growing a statewide ecosystem of service providers.
• Strategic Partnerships for Impact: Aligning with businesses, municipalities, academic institutions and nonprofits to scale nature-based solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
• Corporate Stewardship and Community Impact: Mobilizing teams through environmental volunteerism and service, connecting people to purpose and helping restore South Carolina’s natural resources.
“Focusing on how nature heals inspires people to talk less about nature in a divisive way,” said Dr. Johnson. “People get caught up in the negatives of climate change. Nature at Work brings people together in a positive way – especially as nature’s caretakers.”
The Power of Early Experiences
“When you ask most people who work on sustainability what inspired them, they may say, ‘I read this book,’ or, ‘I had this teacher,’” said Dr. Andrew Predmore, executive director of The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University and an adviser for Nature at Work. “But usually students will tell me, ‘My grandmother had a garden,’ or, ‘Mom and Dad took us camping.’ That time in nature really launches authentic stewardship.” By engaging with Nature at Work, participants develop a deeper appreciation for conservation alongside the benefits to their own well-being. “This initiative is helping define what the future of workforce well-being can look like when we prioritize both people and the environment,” said Mike Harris, vice president at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. “I work with many employers looking for wellness initiatives. I assure them that regardless of where they are on the workplace wellness continuum, there are a lot of creative options that can be done without money. Nature at Work confirms that truth.” Explore membership opportunities, resources and ways to get involved at natureatworksc.org.
The “Blue Mind” Experience
A founding member of Nature at Work, Brian Thill of the South Carolina Aquarium, shared an example of how the Aquarium has shifted its work culture – aligning closely with Nature at Work’s platform. “We’ve created a work culture that has bought into ‘Blue Mind,’ a term coined by the late Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, author of Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do. As a workplace, we’ve been intentional about our office re-design, where our staff have sight lines to the blue of Charleston Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. We feel that fosters a calmer, more creative and collaborative workspace. We encourage staff to take a moment of ‘blue mind’ to reset during a busy workday. We recently completed the Boeing Learning Lab at the Charleston Maritime Center, where we’ll host students, teachers, businesses and community groups from across the state to experience the benefits of water. We’ve worked with mental health practitioners who use the Aquarium as a place for healing outside a clinical setting. The Aquarium has partnered with MUSC emergency room teams to give them a break from the ER environment and with children’s hospitals to connect patients unable to leave their rooms through remote-controlled robots. We’ve also worked with Warrior Surf, hosting a night for their veteran community to connect with water and each other. We know that visitors come here for a restorative or contemplative experience, and we’ll often see them staring into our great ocean tank or out at the Charleston Harbor.”
A Vision for Healthier People and a Resilient South Carolina
Founding members of Nature at Work are mission-aligned organizations helping launch and lead the South Carolina Nature, Health & Business Group. Their early support reflects a shared belief in the future of work rooted in purpose, nature and community. This growing coalition is advancing a vision for healthier people, stronger communities and a more resilient South Carolina. Current founding members include: Atlantic Packaging • BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina • City of Columbia • Coastal Carolina University • College of Charleston • Heritage Landcare • Milliken Advisors • Palmetto Pride • Pickens County • South Carolina Aquarium • South Carolina National Heritage Corridor • The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University • Town of Mount Pleasant
Get Involved
Explore membership opportunities and find resources, programs and ways to get involved at natureatworksc.org.
By Lisa Moody Breslin
