Exploring nature-based approaches to prevention and well-being among Veterans
About the Session
What can honey bees teach us about mental wellness, connection, and the power of nature?
For Veterans facing life transitions, stress, and social isolation, finding a sense of purpose and community can make a meaningful difference. Sometimes, that connection comes from unexpected places. The Veterans’ Beekeeping School brings Veterans together through beekeeping, shared experiences, and environmental stewardship to support mental wellness.
In this session of Fresh Takes on Prevention, discover how nature-based programs can complement traditional mental health services. The benefits go beyond spending time outdoors. These experiences can help build confidence, strengthen social connections, and foster a renewed sense of purpose. We’ll also explore One Health, an approach that recognizes the connection between human, animal, and environmental well-being.
Dr. Khourey-Bowers will share research from the Veterans’ Beekeeping School, including findings on mental wellness, anxiety, stress, and social connectedness. But the lessons extend far beyond Veterans and beekeeping. Discover how this innovative program can inspire fresh approaches to prevention and mental wellness in communities of all kinds.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Explore how nature-based programs can complement traditional mental health services and help address stress, anxiety, and social isolation among Veterans.
- Describe how beekeeping, human-animal connections, and the One Health approach can foster mental wellness, a sense of purpose, and community engagement.
- Identify opportunities to apply nature-based approaches and the principles of One Health to prevention and mental wellness initiatives in diverse community settings.
Essential Details:
Cost: Free
Location: Teams Webinar
CEUs: Prevention CEUs will be applied for
Meet the Speakers
Claudia Khourey-Bowers, Ph.D. | Professor Emeritus from Kent State University
Claudia Khourey-Bowers, Ph.D. is Professor Emeritus from Kent State University. In her academic career, she developed successful science education strategies in which she incorporated nature experiences as conceptually powerful ways to teach abstract scientific concepts. Conceptual approaches to learning, in addition to developing deep understanding, encourage aspects of mental wellness, specifically intrinsic motivation. Khourey-Bowers applied her knowledge of science and socio-cultural influences on learning, to write a comprehensive drug prevention curriculum for K-12 students, SAFE HOME, which was piloted in select Stark County Ohio schools.
Khourey-Bowers got involved with honey bees in 2016 as a member of Central Ohio Beekeepers Association (COBA), and then later as a Board member. Following the 2020 Pandemic, Khourey-Bowers and four others from COBA established the Central Ohio Beekeepers Charitable Foundation whose mission is to promote educational opportunities for beekeepers and the general public. From the educational research base, Khourey-Bowers knew about the efficacy of beekeeping as an alternative treatment strategy for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The Foundation committed itself to welcoming armed services veterans into the beekeeping community. Veterans’ Beekeeping School is a 2-year program for veterans whose goal is to build community within the context of beekeeping. The program is in its sixth year of operation, with over 80 veteran-participants from 15 counties across Central Ohio. The next cohort is currently being recruited and will be selected in February 2027.
Khourey-Bowers currently serves as Secretary of the Central Ohio Beekeepers Charitable Foundation and Vice-President of Central Ohio Beekeepers Association. When she is not in the bee yard, you may find her knitting or making natural dyes from local plants.
About Fresh Takes on Prevention
Fresh Takes on Prevention is Prevention Action Alliance’s webinar series designed to keep prevention professionals informed, connected, and ready to respond to emerging issues. Each webinar brings fresh perspectives, practical information, and timely topics to support prevention work in communities across Ohio and beyond. Learn more here.
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