Our Model
Growing wellness from the ground up
Wellness Approach
At Pamlico Rose Institute (PRI), our mission is rooted in the belief that wellness is more than a goal—it’s a journey, a lived experience, and a community act. Across North Carolina, we are building a movement around wellness gardens—transformative outdoor spaces designed to promote physical, emotional, social, and environmental wellbeing, especially for underserved populations.
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What sets our gardens apart is not just what they grow, but how and why they are designed. These are not simply food gardens or greenspaces. They are intentional ecosystems of healing, grounded in science, shaped by art, and cultivated by community.
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Whether it's planting vegetables, painting nature-inspired art, or simply gathering in safe, welcoming spaces, our wellness gardens serve as living labs—places where people of all backgrounds can connect with nature, express themselves creatively, and support one another.
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Our approach is guided by a powerful framework: the Biopsychosocial-Ecological (BPSE) Model of Health. This model recognizes that wellness is shaped by interconnected factors:
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Biological (nutrition, movement, sensory experience),
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Psychological (stress reduction, mindfulness, creative expression),
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Social (community building, inclusion, connection),
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Ecological (the healing impact of nature and place).
This BPSE framework helps us design gardens that are more than beautiful spaces—they’re environments that foster resilience, healing, and long-term wellbeing for individuals and communities alike.
A Model Rooted in Whole Health
Click here to explore more about the BPSE model.
Read here a survey of articles that are foundational to the BPSE model.
Creative expression isn’t optional, its a regulatory, healing, and meaning-making process. Whether painting, journaling, or sculpting with natural materials, participants in our gardens use creative acts to process emotion, access memory, and reclaim personal agency. Creativity opens the door to healing from within—on their own terms, in their own time.
How We Put Our Model into Practice
Each of our wellness gardens is distinct—rooted in the geography, community, and culture of its location. Whether we are building from the ground up or supporting existing gardens through PRI Wellness Corps (AmeriCorps) member placements, our model adapts to local realities while staying true to core principles.
Our approach is both evidence-informed and experience-driven, offering communities not just green spaces, but opportunities for sustainable transformation. We see each partnership as a way to widen the aperture on what's possible—bringing wellness, learning, and connection into reach for those who need it most.
We work alongside our host sites and community stakeholders to create vibrant garden environments that nourish body, mind, and spirit.
Across all gardens and partner sites, we apply these guiding principles:
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Design for Inclusion
ADA-accessible paths, seating areas, quiet corners, sensory features, and gathering spaces ensure that everyone—regardless of age or ability—can participate in garden life. -
Embed Education
Our gardens function as outdoor classrooms that host nature-based learning, STEAM-aligned programming, culinary workshops, and hands-on activities for all ages. -
Empower Creative Expression
From nature-inspired art installations to community murals and seasonal craft activities, we cultivate opportunities for healing through creativity and reflection. -
Connect Through Service
PRI Wellness Corps members serve directly in local communities—helping to maintain gardens, lead wellness and education programs, and build long-term community capacity.
