Outdoor recreation's positive effects go far beyond stimulating the economy.
Outdoor recreation transforms people, their mental and physical health, and the society we live in. Whether measuring decreased healthcare costs, increased productivity, or quality of life, we are better off as individuals and as a society when we get outdoors.
ORR will be hosting a first-of-its-kind National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation May 2026 in Washington, D.C. This invite-only Forum will unite leading outdoor recreation CEOs with CEOs from healthcare, pharmaceuticals, experts on physical and mental health, wellness, and social vitality and state and national policy makers. Drawing on evidence-based research and lessons from the U.S. and abroad, the convening will chart a forward-looking agenda for harnessing outdoor recreation as a solution to the nation’s pressing health challenges. From lowering health care costs to improving mental resilience, gut health, reducing rates of diseases like obesity and diabetes, and enhancing overall well-being, it’s time to elevate the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy as part of the solution and ensure its benefits are central to the national dialogue on health and wellness.
Hosting the National Executive Forum on Health and Outdoor Recreation is part of ORR’s ongoing efforts to convene industry leaders and government officials and provide thought leadership and cross-sector collaboration. This Forum will outline the myriad ways that increasing access and opportunities for outdoor recreation positively impacts society, public health, and economic development as well as opportunities to catalyze further change across multiple sectors. The benefits of outdoor recreation need to be brought into the national dialogue as we tackle our nation’s challenges and design and implement policies that improve the health and well-being of everyone.
This Forum comes at a pivotal time for public health and outdoor recreation’s role as a solution. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges were the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes among young people, with up to 1 in 5 children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years in the United States having a reported mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder. CDC data from 2023 show that in 23 states more than one in three adults (35%) has obesity. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups, accounting for nearly 1 in 5 deaths in 2022. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General in an advisory described an “Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” across the country. Time outside and the provision of outdoor access for all has shown notable effects in research in addressing these trends and more, and now is the time to scale and invest in these impacts more broadly.
Spending time outdoors decreases healthcare costs, preventing chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Outdoor experiences support attention restoration, cognitive performance, and emotional regulation.
Recreation in natural settings promotes overall mental wellbeing—including mood boosts, better sleep quality, and reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression.
Brain scans show that proximity to water can increase levels hormones such as dopamine and oxytocin ("feel-good" hormones) within the human brain, while lowering cortisol (stress hormone).
Investments in trails, parks, and access to the outdoors support health equity by making wellness more accessible.
Outdoor recreation fosters stronger, more connected communities through shared spaces and collective experiences.
As public health and wellness take hold of the national policy and media landscape, outdoor recreation’s powerful impact on physical, mental, and societal well-being should be top of mind. Join ORR for a groundbreaking webinar series exploring how time spent outside in natural spaces is not only beneficial for the health and wellbeing of all Americans, but such recreational activities also strengthen our communities and support our economies. From reducing healthcare costs to improving our gut microbiomes, speakers will dig into the science and policy potential behind the healing power of the great outdoors. The series will feature health researchers, policy experts, and outdoor leaders as we explore how outdoor recreation and time outdoors heal us, inside and out.
Nature as Medicine: The Lesser-Known Physical Health Benefits of Time Outside – October 15th
Building a More Resilient Society: How Outdoor Recreation Supports Mental Health – Date Coming Soon
Outdoor recreation doesn’t just strengthen our bodies — it strengthens our minds, our communities, and our collective resilience. As awareness grows across sectors about the mental health crisis facing our country, this webinar will explore how time spent in nature can serve as a powerful tool to combat stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma. This session will bring together leaders from public health, outdoor recreation, and the nonprofit sector to highlight evidence-based, trauma-informed outdoor programs, discuss nature prescriptions as a mainstream healthcare strategy, and explore how outdoor access can become a central pillar in promoting mental well-being and societal resilience. We’ll also examine how partnerships across land management, healthcare, and recreation providers are expanding access to nature for those who need it most — including veterans, youth, and underserved communities.
Health Economics of the Outdoors: Cost Savings, New Policies, and Systemic Benefits – Date Coming Soon
Investments in outdoor recreation aren’t just good for economies — they’re also good for public health. As the U.S. healthcare system grapples with rising costs linked to chronic disease, mental health, and social isolation, this session will explore how outdoor recreation delivers measurable returns on health and economic outcomes. Join the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable for a high-impact conversation on the economic value of outdoor recreation as a public health strategy. We’ll explore how time outside reduces healthcare costs, how new public policies can reshape both the healthcare and outdoor sectors, and how outdoor businesses and advocates can leverage data, tools, and legislation to lead in this space. This webinar is designed for policy leaders, recreation professionals, insurers, and health experts working to align economic incentives with preventative, nature-based solutions.
- Feltman, R. & Mwangi, F. (2025). Nature Affects Our Hormones and Changes our Microbiome. Scientific American.
- Lynn, C.D.. (2014). Hearth and Campfire Influences on Arterial Blood Pressure: Defraying the Costs of the Social Brain through Fireside Relaxation. Evolutionary Psychology, 12(5), 983-1003.
- Maddock, J.E., & Frumkin, H. (2024). Physical Activity in Natural Settings: An Opportunity for Lifestyle Medicine. Am J Lifestyle Med. 19(1), 73-87.
- Maddock, J.E., & Razani, N. (2024). Nature Contact as a Health Behavior: Steps to Maturing the Field. Ecopsychology, 16(4), 245-251.
- McDonnell, A.S, et.al. (2025). Immersion in Nature Decreases Neural Sensitivity to Extrinsic Reward. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 102, Article 102546.
- Stelle, L. (2025). The Key to Better Health Might Be Right Outside Your Door — and Scientists Just Proved It. The Cool Down.