Mother’s Day and Mother Nature: Simple Ways to Give Back to the Natural World

Happy Mother's Day to our co-therapist, Mother Nature!

On Sunday, May 10th, 2026, many will celebrate the individuals in their lives who have nurtured, mothered, and cared for them in honor of Mother’s Day. From moms and grandmoms to godmothers and stepmothers, and to all the other kinds of nurturing, mothering individuals in between, they all receive gratitude and love on this day. This Mother’s Day, don’t forget to show appreciation for the mother who gives so much to all of us — Mother Nature.

Mother Nature is known for her healing and nurturing abilities for all life on Earth.

At Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative, we have the privilege of working directly with Mother Nature as a co-therapist in our work with clients through the use of nature-informed therapy. We encourage others to connect with this nurturing relationship beyond therapy sessions and into everyday life.

If you haven’t experienced a nature-informed therapy session, no worries! Mother Nature supports and nurtures us every day, regardless of our level of connection to her.

Here are some ways to celebrate and practice reciprocity with Mother Nature this Mother’s Day.

Many of these activities even have the potential for you to incorporate them into your plans with the mothering individuals in your life this Mother’s Day. 

1. Have a locally sourced meal outdoors and express gratitude.Knowing where your food comes from can deepen your appreciation for nature’s offerings. You might even take it a step further by attending a pick-your-own event at a local farm or orchard. As always, be mindful not to overindulge and share Mother Nature’s offerings with others. 

2. Spend quality time with a tree.A simple way to spend time with Mother Nature this Mother’s Day (or any day) is to go outside, find a tree, and relax at its base. One way to show love and respect to Mother Nature is to ask the tree permission prior to settling in. While you may not receive a direct response, the intention of extending the olive branch to ask for permission fosters respect and connection to Mother Nature (and yes—the olive branch pun is intended).

3. Clean up trash and litter.One way to care for Mother Nature is by picking up waste that pollutes the environment. This can be done alone, with a friend, or as part of a community cleanup event. You can go a step further by separating recyclables from trash as you collect.

4. Plant flowers or trees.Just as we give flowers to show appreciation for others, we can do the same for Mother Nature. With a bit of research, you can choose plants that benefit your local ecosystem. Aim for native plants that complement one another rather than compete for resources (because, let’s be honest—no mom wants her children fighting over her attention).

5. Choose eco-friendly, low-waste products.Support Mother Nature’s health and well-being by reducing waste in your daily life. This can be done by opting for reusable or recyclable products whenever possible. Donating clothes/objects with life still left in them, using reusable grocery bags and water bottles, and recycling paper, cans, and boxes are all simple ways to reduce landfill waste and protect the environment, ultimately protecting Mother Nature’s health and sustainability. 

   
   

No matter who you celebrate this Mother’s Day, we all share one mother in common—Mother Nature. Together, we can nurture her in the same way she has nurtured and supported us.

Ariel Wagerman, LMSW

Ariel Wagerman, LMSW is a therapist at Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative specializing in perinatal and maternal mental health. She supports individuals through every stage of the journey — from trying to conceive and pregnancy through the postpartum period and the ongoing transitions of parenthood. Ariel also works with young adults and adults navigating anxiety, depression, and major life changes. Ariel is accepting new clients and is in-network with CareFirst/BCBS. Read more about Ariel here.

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