Let's Celebrate Great Outdoors Month

In honor of Great Outdoors Month, let’s celebrate the many reasons why we love the great outdoors and look at some projects that take us outside!

Benefit: Improve Mental Health

Project: Ammonoosuc Dam Repairs USDA Forest Service - Groveton, NH

There are many mental wellness benefits associated with being outside in green spaces, such as lower risk of depression and faster psychological stress recovery. Studies have shown that being in nature can restore and strengthen our mental capacities, increasing focus and attention.

- U.S. Forest Service

Benefit: Reduce Climate Impacts

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Project:

Main Street Transportation Improvements Town of Great Barrington, MA The addition of bike lanes to urban areas drastically increases the number of cyclists in that city, not just on the streets with the new bike lanes. Connected research shows that more bike lanes encourage more bike commutes, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves health.

- stronggo.com

Project:

Community Trail Dover, NH Trails are great for group activities for people of all ages. Whether cycling, walking, jogging, running, blading, or skateboarding, trails bring people together. They also connect people to places and offer excellent non-vehicular access to shops, restaurants, and parks.

Benefit: Bring People Together

Benefit: Improve Physical Health Project:

Human Services Complex Tennis Courts and Field Town of Bloomfield, CT

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Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.

- CDC

Biologists hypothesize that there are evolutionary reasons people seek out nature experiences. We may have preferences to be in beautiful, natural spaces because they are resource-rich environments - ones that provide optimal food, shelter, and comfort. These evolutionary needs may explain why we are drawn to natural environments and why we prefer nature to be part of our architecture. Over 100 studies have shown that being in nature, living near nature, or even viewing nature in paintings and videos can have positive impacts on our brains, bodies, feelings, thought processes, and social interactions.

- Greater Good Magazine

Benefit: Connect with Nature

Project:

Camp Foster Bedford, NH

Benefit: Learn Something New

Project:

Living Classroom Ruane Center for the Humanities

Research has shown that outdoor learning can have huge benefits on student mental health and academic performance. Students are often calmer and better able to focus when learning in nature, and teachers have reported better behavior and social interactions with fewer disciplinary issues.

- Harvard Graduate School of Education

Creating Works of Life