RSVP Your Wellness in Nature Experience

Snapshot Solution

by Diana Allen, US National Park Service

Nature is closer than you think!

NPS photo

The RSVP Your Wellness in Nature Experience - Park Health Ambassador program was launched during the US National Park Service’s national park week in 2021 to provide a simple, easy way for people to participate in Park Prescriptions (ParkRx) Day as part of national Park Prescription (ParkRx) Day, Saturday, April 15, 2021.

The primary aim of the RSVP Your Wellness in Nature Experience is to invite people to fill their own nature prescription anywhere, anytime —at home, the neighbourhood, nearby parks, or virtually.

Registrants were also encouraged to share their wellness in nature experience on social media using #PowerOfParksForHealth and #BeforeAndAfterParkRx.

In this way, ParkRx Day was re-imagined as a simple way to encourage people to experience the health benefits of parks and protected areas, rather than promoting highly-organized events in parks during national park week.

Last update: 07 Mar 2022

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Contexto

Défis à relever

Health

Scale of implementation

National

Ecosystems

Hot desert

Temperate deciduous forest

Temperate evergreen forest

Tropical deciduous forest

Tropical evergreen forest

Beach

Pool, lake, pond

River, stream

Wetland (swamp, marsh, peatland)

Temperate grassland, savanna, shrubland

Tropical grassland, savanna, shrubland

Tundra or montane grassland

Green spaces (parks, gardens, urban forests)

Tema

Access and benefit sharing

Biodiversity mainstreaming

Ecosystem services

Health and human wellbeing

Human Health & Wellbeing

Healthy Parks Healthy People

Health Promotion

Ubicación

United States

North America

Impacts

In 2021, the RSVP your wellness in nature experience campaign was successful in receiving online registrations from individuals and organizations in 17 states, Washington DC and Belgium, with the majority of experiences being self-led, in parks, trails or greenspace. A total of 39 RSVPs for wellness in nature experiences were received (28 individuals, 11 organizations), as part of ParkRx Day during national park week.

Engagement using #BeforeAndAfterParkRx on social media channels during ParkRx Day 2021 was robust and creative, including 128 #BeforeAndAfterParkRx posts on Instagram.

Example Instagram video message by a physician using #BeforeAndAfterParkRx:

“It was nice to be in one of my local parks for National ParkRx Day. The trees and ferns, the sunlight and fresh air, they all helped me feel relaxed, restored and rejuvenated. . . my body appreciates the lower blood pressure and cortisol which will help me enjoy these trips for years to come.”