Deb Rowland may have walked away from South Jordan Community Center with an extra bounce in her step and a smile on her face. In her hand was a colorful birdhouse made by a pair of sixth-graders.

She had met American Academy of Innovation student Amya Redmiles after selecting a birdhouse crafted by Amya and her classmate; Rowland intended to give it to her adult daughter, who is battling cancer.

“I immediately thought this might be something she could hang outside her window; I love birds and I’m hoping to turn her into being a bird lover, too,” Rowland said. “There’s something calming about it.”

She chose one with colors and designs she liked and learned from the artist how the colors were blended into vibrant shades and then highlighted with black splatters. Amya also waterproofed the birdhouse.

“I enjoyed making it, and I hope your daughter loves the birdhouse,” Amya told Rowland. “It means a lot to me that you picked it and I hope it gives her some comfort.”

In the 19th century, nature was linked to improving mental and physical health. After a shift toward scientific medicine, interest returned during the COVID-19 pandemic as an accessible option to reduce stress.  Birdwatching now is a hobby enjoyed by more than 70 million Americans. 

A review in the “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” found nature can lower blood pressure, improve immune function and reduce levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.

May, recognized as National Mental Health Month since 1949, brings attention to the fact that one in four adults will experience a diagnosable mental disorder each year, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Researchers say birdwatching in backyards and parks is a simple, low-cost way to promote mindfulness and reduce anxiety.

For American Academy of Innovation students, it also means building community. Secondary students recently met South Jordan seniors, who were nominated to receive birdhouses the students made and painted.

Jamie Anderson, the South Jordan Community Center manager for senior programs, said not only do seniors receive a birdhouse, but “they can put a face to the project and get to know each other.”

“Some people who received a birdhouse last year nominated others because ‘I want my friend to get one, too, and meet the student who made it,’” she said. “I like that it gives a lot of people hope and helps boost spirits of both the seniors and students.”

Teacher Landon Leak said he began the project last year and continued it after student response was enthusiastic.

“The best thing is the students learning that helping other people feels good,” he said. “Usually when we're doing something in school, they aren’t all in. But when we’re talking about why we're doing this, they're actively excited, which is reducing student apathy. It's reducing the ‘Why am I here? Why am I learning this?’ Now it’s, ‘I'm learning this to help other people.’”

Students applied math skills on real-world projects, met seniors and connected with nature in ways that support mental health. Leak said it may even spark lifelong hobbies.

Patron Art Linford chose a birdhouse with a natural look.

“You can tell the young man who made this took a lot of time and paid attention to detail, with the leaves and even bricks on the birds’ house,” he said. “I served for eight years training in special forces. We were preparing for nuclear war in the late 50s through the 60s. It was a stressful time, so I took to looking for an outlet when I could at camp, and often it was watching the birds. So this means a lot to me. I was looking forward to the students coming.”

Senior Joseph Long said he enjoyed talking to Linford.

“He definitely was ecstatic to have someone to talk to; it's awesome I was able to brighten his day,” Long said. 

Taking Leak’s class and providing service learning has made an impact on Long. 

“I want to become a high school biology teacher. When I saw my peers struggling mentally, I joined the Hope Squad at the school and I've been reaching out to my friends. I realized a lot of them just need someone who cares. So I figured if I become a teacher, I can do this even more. I want to be like Mr. Leak, a fun teacher who cares and makes sure teenagers, who are going through a hard time in their life, have someone to help with them. Mr. Leak always makes you feel good and has a way of bringing people up. He’s who I want to become, and I want to do what he's doing. When I'm a teacher, it would be cool to do a field trip just like this.”

American Academy of Innovation student Amya Redmiles explains to Deb Rowland at the South Jordan Community Center how she created the birdhouse. (Julie Slama/City Journals)