It’s been estimated that U.S. adults spend between 80 and 99 percent of their time inside. Our kids, on average, spend just 15 to 25 minutes in daily outdoor play or sports. Meanwhile, exposure to natural environments—from rural to urban—has been shown to reduce stress and depression, improve immune-system response, and increase focus. As we spend less time in nature, we not only forgo these physical and mental health benefits, but also lose our sense of connection to the natural world and the idea that caring for the environment is important.

 

This year’s Conservation Symposium explores some of the potential antidotes to our disconnection from nature. We have secured two keynote speakers for this year’s Symposium: Dr. Kathleen Wolf, a research social scientist at the University of Washington, whose research explores the health benefits of nearby nature; and John Henderson, Executive Director of Park Rx America, a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase health and happiness, and foster environmental stewardship, by virtue of prescribing nature during the routine delivery of healthcare by a diverse group of health-care professionals.

LEARN MORE: HERE