Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
Albany, N.Y. -- Today, the New York State Outdoor Rx Task Force released a highly anticipated report on promoting veterans’ mental and physical health through outdoors therapy. The report recommends expanding nature-based therapy and programming for veterans and adjusting or eliminating entrance fees to state parks and public lands to allow for greater access to the outdoors, especially for veterans from diverse, historically marginalized, and underrepresented communities.
“Our veterans are facing a mental healthcare crisis,” said LTC (ret.) Aaron Leonard, campaign representative for Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors campaign. “After twenty years of war, countless veterans have returned home from service bearing the weight of trauma -- visible and invisible.
“People have always sought out nature to heal from pain. Those benefits of the outdoors are now backed up by science. This report will make it easier for New York’s veterans to seek solace and healing on the lands they served to protect.”
The task force was established by the Outdoor Rx Act, which Gov. Cuomo signed into law on November 11, 2020. It was charged with reviewing military veterans’ ability to access state parks, public lands, and facilities for recreational and therapeutic outdoor activities and programs and make recommendations on how to eliminate barriers to that access. Studies show that veterans who participate in outdoor adventure and experiential education programs like Sierra Club Military Outdoors report significant reduction in depression and anxiety as well as an increased willingness to seek mental health care. Sierra Club Military Outdoors campaign representative Aaron Leonard and director of the Veteran Service Office in Livingston County, New York Jason Skinner were appointed to co-chair the task force.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.