Resources for
PROVIDERS
Referring your military-connected clients to structured outdoor programs can bestow benefits that extend far beyond beautiful landscapes and fresh air.
We want to help you get your clients outdoors
A growing body of evidence points to the positive impact of exposure to natural environments on psychological well-being.
Research has shown that time spent outdoors provides a valuable adjunct for traditional Health & Behavioral Health providers as well as improving outcomes for Human Services providers.
Participation in Structured Outdoor Programs Helps
The most common way veterans access the outdoors is with friends and family.
About 50% of veterans recreate outdoors at least once each year with friends and families. However, only 1% have the opportunity to join an outing with a structured program.
Structured outdoor programs are immersive experiences that not only offer tailored education, personal development, and recreational goals — they create a support system built on shared experiences and a sense of belonging.
Under the expert guidance of facilitators who prioritize safety and group dynamics, these consciously designed programs foster benefits for participants:
Alleviate symptoms of depression, post-traumatic stress, and mental health symptoms
Increase capacity for self-examination, self-reflection, introspection, and personal insight
Promote personal growth
Foster a positive attitude towards seeking professional help
Providers who refer their military-connected clients to structured outdoor programs also benefit from their clients’ participation:
Increasing their overall well-being
Improving social interactions
Strengthening your relationship, enhancing their ability to achieve their individual service plans
Structured Outdoor Programs
Click a logo to learn more about each program’s offerings & locations.
Therapeutic Outdoor Programs
Click a logo to learn more about each program’s offerings & locations.
Information & Links
We have collected a range of resources to support our mission & make it easier to access & enjoy the great outdoors
By category: Veterans’ Services, New York Parks, National Parks, Accessibility, Licenses & Permits, and Trails, Hikes, and Places to Go
By county
Research & Studies that illustrate the value of time outdoors
Outdoor Rx Coverage Summary
The Outdoor Rx Coalition facilitates collaboration among public & private partners to improve access to the healing power of nature for all New York military-connected communities.
The coalition currently has 156 unique member organizations
Representation in all 9 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation regions
Members in 54 of NYS’s 62 counties
Below is a representative sample of our member organizations.
Click a logo to learn more about their resources & offerings.
Join the Outdoor Rx Coalition & help us improve access to the outdoors for veterans & their families
Stay in touch
Whether you’re a military service member, veteran, family member, sole practitioner, or simply passionate about improving access to the outdoors, we invite you to join our mailing list for occasional updates about the Outdoor Rx Coalition.