There's a new nonprofit calling Sparta home, and its message is simple: time outdoors is good for all of us, and it's even better when we do it together.
Nature Together is a Tennessee 501(c)(3) headquartered right here in Sparta. It offers free, nature-based wellness programs across the state, with groups meeting in the Upper Cumberland, Nashville and Middle Tennessee. The organization was founded by Sparta resident Summer Owen, who serves as CEO, and her husband.
“I'm blessed to never think twice about whether I can hike a trail,” Summer said. “But so many people face barriers, some visible and some invisible, like social anxiety, needing a wheelchair or living with an intellectual disability. We want to help remove those barriers so everyone can use nature as a catalyst for healthy living.”
What it looks like
Programs run in six-week series, four times a year, with up to 20 participants per group. Each series is led by trained Nature Guides and mixes community hikes, gardening and nutrition education, outdoor yoga and wellness, nature-inspired art, and career exploration.
Groups are built around the people they serve, each named after a flower. Clovers is for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences. Magnolias is for adults 60 and up. Daisies serves homeschool families and is already at full capacity. Lilies is for expecting and postpartum families. Tulips supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in partnership with local advocacy agencies.
For anyone who wants to try it out, Nature Together also hosts Wildflowers pop-up events open to the whole community. They're a fun, easy way to meet the team.
Every program is free to participants. Each group is funded by sponsors, and every spot is paid for before a series fills, so no one ever sees a bill.
Making trails work for everyone
Nature Together has received grant funding to audit local trails for accessibility, along with funding to actually make improvements. Participants are part of the process, sharing firsthand what makes a trail easier or harder to enjoy, so the changes reflect the people who will use them.
Why it matters
Research keeps showing what many of us already know: time in nature lowers stress, lifts mood, builds physical health and helps people feel less alone. Participants also leave with new friends and a stronger connection to the places they live.
How to get involved
Sponsor a group or a participant. Local businesses and individuals can sponsor a group or cover a neighbor's spot. It's a great way to support your community and get your business noticed.
Donate supplies. Everyday items like glass jars and buttons often become art projects.
Come to a pop-up, join a group or spread the word.
To register for a group or sign up to sponsor, visit naturetogethertn.com. Questions? Email naturetogether.tn@gmail.com or call 931-418-0361.
“This is a Sparta story at heart,” Summer said. “We'd love for our neighbors to come outside with us.”
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