April 2023 has been designated the inaugural Healthy People Healthy Trails Month in Santa Barbara County by a network of organizations that will host some 40 events to encourage greater use, awareness and stewardship of the abundant local parks and trail systems under the campaign: Let’s Get Moving! Activities throughout the month, like guided hikes and educational gatherings, are geared toward promoting greater access and enjoyment of trails, parks and open spaces as key tools
In her June 24th, 2021 article, author Joanne Calitri, captures the spirit of the collaboration between the artists who created art from vistas looking over a dozen trails and the organizations that came together to make a new exposition at the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature happen. The exhibit is titled Art from the Trail: Exploring the Natural Beauty of Santa Barbara County, which celebrates outdoor treasures here on the Central Coast. The exhibition is open now
For older adults, experts suggest 30 minutes of activity on most days. Such activity is known to extend lifespans, reduce the risk of falls, improve balance and agility, prevent osteoporosis and muscle loss, and delay the onset of cognitive decline. Evidence suggests that when activity is done outdoors, nature enhances the health benefits. Connect to an active life. Connect to the outdoors. To learn more read the full article.
A well-written article about the Healthy People Healthy Trails initiative in Santa Barbara County was posted on January 22nd, 2020, in the Santa Maria Sun. Author Zac Ezzone did a great job capturing the essence of a program designed promote the value of linking the healthcare and recreation communities to make it easy for physicians to prescribe outdoor activity for children and adults, for families to find fun places to walk in nature, and encourage all to
Below is an excerpt from an article published in Central Coast Physicians’ magazine: Encouraged by evidence that spending time outdoors in nature improves physical and mental health, local organizations joined together to launch Healthy People Healthy Trails. Its mission is to work collaboratively with land agencies, healthcare providers, and community partners to improve the health and wellbeing of community members through the use and enjoyment of trails, parks, and open spaces. Healthy People Healthy Trails