Resources

Information & Links

We have collected a range of resources to support our mission & make it easier to access & enjoy the great outdoors

  • Resources for Veterans

    • By category: Veterans’ Services, New York Parks, National Parks, Accessibility, Licenses & Permits, and Trails, Hikes, and Places to Go

    • By county

    • Structured & Therapeutic Outdoor Programs

  • Organizations: Outdoor Rx Coalition members

  • Research & Studies that illustrate the value of time outdoors

RESOURCES FOR VETERANS

Featured
Veterans’ Services
Veterans’ Services

Service members, veterans, and their families have unique needs. We provide these resources so you can easily & conveniently find the services you want & need. Resources are ever evolving, so links are subject to change.

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Trails, Hikes, and Places to Go
Trails, Hikes, and Places to Go

Find links and information about New York state and city parks, including accessibility information.

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New York Parks
New York Parks

Find links and information about New York state and city parks, including accessibility resources.

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National Parks
National Parks

Find links and information about national parks, including accessibility information and free annual passes for military.

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Permits & Passes
Permits & Passes

Find links for free & reduced fee licenses for hunting, fishing & trapping as well as NYC boating & marina permits & applications.

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Accessibility
Accessibility

Find links and information about accessibility in New York State Parks so that recreation opportunities are available for for everyone, regardless of differences in ability. Accessibility improvements include facilitating strollers, mobility needs, and auxiliary aids & services for sensory or cognitive differences.

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See What’s Near You

Click on a county to see all resources & services available.

Structured & Therapeutic Outdoor Programs

We encourage veterans to join structured & therapeutic outdoor programs for immersive experiences with tailored education, personal development, and recreational goals alongside a support system built on shared experiences and a sense of belonging.

Click a logo to learn more about each program’s offerings & locations.

ORGANIZATIONS

Outdoor Rx Coalition 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 over 150 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.

RESEARCH & STUDIES

Time outdoors can be a valuable adjunct therapy in addition to more traditional health care. It may also reduce reliance on prescription medication.

Studies on the therapeutic benefits of nature-based programming for veterans is still limited, but we have gathered a compilation of relevant literature in the domain.

While what we are sharing does not encompass the entire body of existing research, spending time outdoors has proven to have substantial benefits for psychosocial outcomes.

  • An Exploration into the Experiences of Female Veterans Who Attended Higher Ground Military Programming

    May 2023

    Fleming and colleagues conducted a study that highlights the experiences of female veterans who attend military programming.

    Article

  • Mental Health Outcomes of Peer-led Therapeutic Adventure for Military Veterans

    Dec 2021

    Bettmann and colleagues found depression symptoms and PTSD symptomology of military veterans decreased immediately following peer-led therapeutic adventure outings and suggest the need for on-going, community-based interventions to optimally support military veterans’ mental health.

    Article

  • Outdoor recreational activity experiences improve psychological wellbeing of military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

    Nov 2020

    Wheeler and colleagues conducted two studies and found a positive correlation between outdoor recreational activity and improvements in well-being for veterans with PTSD.

    Article

  • Changes in Psychiatric Symptoms and Psychological Processes Among Veterans Participating in a Therapeutic Adventure Program

    Nov 2019

    Bettmann and colleagues provided evidence for changes in psychiatric symptoms and psychological processes among veterans participating in a therapeutic adventure program.

    Article

  • Awe in Nature Heals: Evidence From Military Veterans, At-Risk Youth, and College Students

    Dec 2018

    Anderson and colleagues found improvements in well-being and stress-related symptoms 1-week post whitewater rafting outings.

    Article

  • A Systematic Review of the Psychological, Social, and Educational Outcomes Associated With Participation in Wildland Recreational Activities

    Aug 2018

    Holland and colleagues conducted a review of outcomes associated with wildlands recreation activities. The overwhelmingly positive results in their systematic review of literature ultimately suggest that the most common outcomes included personal development, prosocial behaviors, mental restoration, and environmental stewardship.

    Article

  • Preliminary Long-Term Health Outcomes Associated with Recreation-Based Health and Wellness Programs for Injured Service Members

    Mar 2018

    Townsend and colleagues examined the effects of a week-long recreation-based health and wellness family retreat for injured military service members and found a decrease in post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and stress after the retreat for veterans.

    Article

  • Whatever Happened to the Soldiers? Nature-Assisted Therapies for Veterans Diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Literature Review

    Apr 2015

    Poulsen and colleagues conducted a literature review of nature-assisted therapies on veterans with PTSD and found evidence for positive impacts post therapy experience.

    Article

  • Exploring the Benefits of Outdoor Experiences on Veterans

    Jun 2013

    Duvall & Kaplan found group-based nature recreation experiences that bring veterans together can have significant positive effects on veterans struggling with serious health problems.

    Article

  • Nature Adventure Rehabilitation for Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Chronic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Control Trial

    Oct 2013

    Gelkopf and colleagues conducted a randomized-control study of nature adventure therapy for veterans, and found improvements in post-traumatic stress, depression, social and emotional quality of life, daily functioning, hope, and perceived control over illness.

    Article

  • Participation in Outdoor Recreation Program Predicts Improved Psychosocial Well-Being Among Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study

    Mar 2013

    Vella and colleagues found participation in outdoor recreation programs improved the well-being of veterans with PTSD and reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety, including a wealth of acute improvements in mood profiles, including attentiveness, serenity, self-assuredness, and joviality.

    Article

  • Adventure Education and the Returning Military Veteran: What Do We Know?

    Mar 2011

    Ewert and colleagues conducted two studies that found evidence for increased rates of variables associated with personal development, sense of coherence, and overall well-being after an Outward Bound structured outdoor program for veterans.

    Article

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.