Care Outdoors Program Graduate:
"What was most meaningful to me about the Care Outdoors Program was discovering a connection to Nature that I have never felt before. As a city dweller, I often move quickly through my days without really noticing the nature around me. This program encouraged me to slow down and pay attention to the small green spaces woven into my daily routines - many of which were in my own backyard! As an older adult, I appreciated feeling curiosity and presence return in a gentle, natural way. It reminded me that nature isn’t distant—it’s here with me, enriching my life in simple but powerful ways. It has been a wonderful learning experience, and Monica is an amazing educator."
– Georgene Nitzsche, MS (Gerontology, University of Indianapolis)

Aging in Harmony with Nature, with Home

Helping people, organizations, and communities strengthen wellbeing, care, quality of life, and resilience by co-creating healthier relationships with the places we call Home.

The Eco Gerontology Initiative advances research, education, and practice at the intersection of Aging, Ecology, Bioregionalism, Care, and The Wellbeing Economy.

Eco Gerontology invites us to look at the larger ecology shaping how we live, age, work, care, and contribute and to recognize that human wellbeing cannot be separated from the wellbeing of the places we call Home.

Through the interconnected lenses of ecology, bioregionalism, care, and the Wellbeing Economy, Eco Gerontology asks us to consider not only how we respond to today's challenges, but how we co-create more resilient conditions for people, communities, local economies, and the living world to flourish together.

Choose Your Path

Whether you're beginning your Eco Gerontology Exploration, deepening your professional practice, or seeking to transform your organization, there are many ways to become involved.

Learn & Participate

Care Outdoors Training Experience

September 11 • Live Online • $25 • Recording Included

Experience Care Outdoors through a one-hour experiential training exploring practical, evidence-based approaches to nature connection, wellbeing, and care.

Continue your learning: Apply your $25 registration toward the full Care Outdoors Companion Training beginning September 24.

Care Outdoors Companion Training

September 24–October 29 • Live Online + Guided Learning • $449

Develop practical skills and confidence for cultivating meaningful nature connection in aging services, home care, community settings, and everyday life.

Become a Care Outdoors Companion and join a growing community bringing nature-connected approaches to care and quality of life.

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"What was most meaningful to me about the Care Outdoors Program was discovering a connection to Nature that I have never felt before. As a city dweller, I often move quickly through my days without really noticing the nature around me. This program encouraged me to slow down and pay attention to the small green spaces woven into my daily routines - many of which were in my own backyard! As an older adult, I appreciated feeling curiosity and presence return in a gentle, natural way. It reminded me that nature isn’t distant—it’s here with me, enriching my life in simple but powerful ways. It has been a wonderful learning experience, and Monica is an amazing educator.” — Georgene Nitzsche, Assistant Professor & Graduate Program Advisor at University of Indianapolis

Eco Gerontology Community Conversations

Aging, Care, and Our Relationship with Nature

Inspired by the emerging field of Eco Gerontology and the Care Outdoors movement, these gatherings offer space for reflection, dialogue, and shared learning around aging, care, nature connectedness, place, and the conditions that support wellbeing across the lifespan.

This is not a traditional webinar. These are conversations designed to spark ideas, deepen connection, and help shape the future of Eco Gerontology.

Next Conversation: Friday, October 9 • Free • Registration Required

The Eco Gerontology Certificate

Next Cohort Begins November 19 • $795

Explore the ecological, economic, social, cultural, and philosophical dimensions of aging and care through the interconnected lenses of ecology, bioregionalism, reciprocal relationships, and the Wellbeing Economy. Become part of a growing community helping co-pioneer the emerging field of Eco Gerontology.

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“For those who are or are becoming Elders, with an interest in the Science and Spirit of Ecology and Gerontology, who may be seeking greater understanding of both fields, and how they interact, and who may be searching for a means of informed activism, this course is a wonderful springboard.”
— Beverly Flanagan

Partner With Us

Bring Eco Gerontology and Care Outdoors into your organization, team, or community through experiential education, professional development, and collaborative initiatives.

Care Outdoors Team Training

Private Team Cohorts • Starting at $3,300

Equip your team with practical, evidence-based approaches for cultivating meaningful nature connection in aging services, healthcare, home care, and community settings.

Strengthen quality of life, engagement, workforce wellbeing, and organizational culture while building your team's confidence to Share Care Outdoors into everyday care.

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Care Outdoors Certified Organization:

"We are thrilled that our members are enjoying Care Outdoors and that the program is promoting opportunities for our on-staff wellness coaches and certified practitioners to slow down and connect in a real way.

To date, five AEC team members are Certified Care Outdoors Leaders!

Our members truly value these moments of connection with nature – and our practitioners and wellness coaches have found it incredibly rewarding to not only hear how much they enjoy it but to also witness how it positively impacts their mood and wellbeing." – Adult Enrichment Centers, Rock Hill SC.

Organizational Partnerships

We offer consulting, presentations, leadership retreats, professional development, and collaborative initiatives for organizations seeking to cultivate more nature-connected, age-friendly, regenerative, and resilient communities.

Growing Regenerative Futures for All Generations

Eco Gerontology invites us to consider the interconnected ecological, social, and economic systems that shape how we live, age, care, work, and contribute.