Inside TXST

Texas State selected as new member of Campus Nature Rx Network

students walking on nature trail

The program equips campus teams with the knowledge, tools and support needed to design nature-based well-being initiatives tailored to the unique needs and cultures of their institutions.

August 22, 2025
Jayme Blaschke

Texas State University has been selected as a new member of the Campus Nature Rx (CNRx) Network, a national initiative dedicated to advancing student mental health and well-being through engagement with nature.

 In addition to joining the network, TXST has been invited to participate in the prestigious 2025-26 CNRx Academy, a year-long certificate program designed to support colleges and universities in building impactful and equitable Nature Rx programs.

TXST’s involvement in the CNRx Academy underscores the university’s ongoing commitment to fostering student health, resilience and belonging—particularly for students from underserved backgrounds who may face a range of societal, interpersonal and environmental challenges.

"Joining the Campus Nature Rx Network and Academy allows us to deepen our commitment to student wellness by leveraging one of our greatest assets: the natural environment surrounding our campus. We’re excited to design programming that is both evidence-based and rooted in the lived experiences and needs of our students."

Christine Norton, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Social Work

The CNRx Academy is led by nationally recognized experts and CNRx co-founders Don Rakow, Ph.D., of Cornell University, and Dorothy Ibes, Ph.D., of the College of William & Mary. The program equips campus teams with the knowledge, tools and support needed to design and implement nature-based well-being initiatives tailored to the unique needs and cultures of their institutions. Through a series of live virtual workshops, one-on-one coaching, individualized feedback and access to exclusive resources, academy participants create strategic, research-backed CNRx programs that promote student mental health, academic success and a deeper connection to the natural environment.

In addition to Norton, the TXST team selected for the 2025-26 academy includes a dynamic group of faculty and staff with expertise in health, education, recreation and environmental engagement:

  • Anthony Deringer, Ed.D., an associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance
  • Rob Dussler, Ph.D., chief education officer for The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment
  • Allie Thomas, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance
  • Andrew Morreale, assistant director of Campus Recreation

Through this partnership, TXST aims to enhance its nature-based well-being offerings, create inclusive opportunities for outdoor engagement, and contribute to a growing national movement recognizing the essential role of nature in higher education.

This opportunity is made possible through generous funding provided by the Outdoor Research Collaborative for Health, Wellbeing and Experiential Engagement, which supports innovative projects that connect outdoor experiences with student development and health outcomes. 

For more information on the CNRx, visit www.campusnature.com. 

For more information, contact:

TXST Office of Media Relations, 512-245-2180