What’s The Ecohappiness Project?
Spending time in and around nature is so beneficial to our health and well-being. It calms us when we are feeling stressed and boosts our mood when we are feeling down. There are so many incredible ways to tap into the healing power of nature, and I am excited to share them with you.
Hi, my name is Sandi Schwartz, and I created the Ecohappiness Project® to focus on where nature and mental health intersect. This one-of-a-kind platform ties together all the science and practical tools to help you and your family live a happy, balanced life through nature.
Ecohappiness is all about connecting to nature to feel happier and calmer. On a deeper level, it involves realizing how important nature is to our well-being so we do what we can to protect it.
Please join me on this journey as we make new discoveries together. I welcome your questions and feedback along the way. Through knowledge and a constructive exchange of ideas, we can make the world a happier, healthier place for all living things.
Explore more at www.ecohappinessproject.com.
About Me
I am an environmental freelance journalist and multi-award-winning author of the book, Finding Ecohappiness: Fun Nature Activities to Help Your Kids Feel Happier and Calmer, that explores the science-backed mental health benefits of nature connection. I also co-authored the children’s picture book, Sky’s Search for Ecohappiness, with educator Julie Neustadter. It makes a wonderful companion to the parenting book.
I have been researching and writing about nature, sustainability, energy, home and garden, green living, mental health, wellness, and parenting for over two decades. Besides writing here on Substack, I am available to craft environmental content for your publication or organization, so please get in touch to discuss how we can work together.
My work has been featured in The Washington Post, USA Today, National Geographic, Yahoo!, Good Housekeeping, MSN, mindbodygreen, Authority Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, BobVila.com, Family Handyman, Scary Mommy, Verywell Family, TechTarget, Environmental Defense Fund’s Moms Clean Air Force, Earth911, One Green Planet, Green Child Magazine, Green Teacher, Your Teen for Parents, over 70 regional parenting and women’s magazines, and more.
My prior experience includes communications positions at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Academy of Sciences, and Cadmus Group, a consulting firm where I worked on EPA’s ENERGY STAR program and projects addressing asthma and indoor air quality in schools. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies at The George Washington University, a Master of Arts in Government with an Environmental Focus at Johns Hopkins University, and a Specialization Certificate in Foundations of Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
I am a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Nonfiction Authors Association, Editorial Freelancers Association, Children & Nature Network, and Sierra Club.
I love painting nature scenes, going for peaceful walks and bike rides, picking berries, and seeking out natural sites when traveling. I am a passionate environmentalist, fighting for a healthier planet every day through my words and actions. I love driving my electric car, choosing organic products, and greening my closet.
Finally, I am also an Executive Producer for the films As They Made Us written and directed by Mayim Bialik, which is about mental health, and Space Oddity directed by Kyra Sedgwick, which has an environmental theme. Check out my IMDb listing.
About My Books
Finding Ecohappiness is all about the mental health benefits of nature. Filled with colorful images and activity checklists, my book offers a comprehensive toolkit of nature-based stress reduction tools for families of all ages. Topics covered include awe and gratitude, mindfulness, creative arts, outdoor play, travel and adventure, volunteering, food, and animals.
The book has received rave reviews from Library Journal; Booklist; Midwest Review; actor/director/environmentalist Kyra Sedgwick; and author and founder of the Children & Nature Network, Richard Louv.
It has also as won multiple awards:
GOLD book award from Foreword Reviews.
GOLD award from Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Benjamin Franklin Award program.
GOLD Nautilus Book Award.
GOLD award by Nonfiction Book Awards, via Nonfiction Authors Association.
Arlene Book Award: Books That Make a Difference from American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA).
National Indie Excellence® Awards (NIEA) finalist.
Environmental writing/journalism Indigo Award from Sierra Club Florida Chapter.
Sky’s Search for Ecohappiness tells the story of a young girl’s quest to manage that feeling of uneasiness many children cannot quite name, but know they feel. Backed by scientific research supporting nature-based stress reduction tools for school-aged children, this story invites readers to follow Sky on her journey as she discovers fun ways to feel happier and calmer using nature.
Grab your copies today to start finding ecohappiness for you and your family! Books are available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and wherever books are sold.
Learn more at www.ecohappinessproject.com.
Why Subscribe?
In my weekly newsletters, I explore how nature can help you and your family feel happier, calmer, and inspired to protect the planet as we face multiple environmental crises.
Some articles will be connected to a holiday, new research, or breaking news. I’ll also recommend books and other media, showcase awe-inspiring spots, highlight movers and shakers doing incredible work in this field, and suggest ways for you to explore nature and make a difference in your community.
Paid subscribers will have access to additional content like Q&As with authors and other thought leaders, audio versions of written pieces, community forums, and access to the full newsletter archive. Founding members will receive all this plus a signed copy of my book, Finding Ecohappiness; potential invites to special events and giveaways; and my endless gratitude.
