Conservation Halton has announced a new collaboration with Canada’s national nature prescription program, PaRx.
As of Monday, December 2nd, people issued a PaRx nature prescription can access Conservation Halton parks for ten free visits. Visitors can fulfil their nature prescriptions through activities like scenic trail hikes, wildlife spotting and nature photography.
“This partnership with PaRx provides greater access to nature and creates pathways to better health and a deeper connection with our environment” says Chandra Sharma, President & CEO, Conservation Halton. “This initiative exemplifies our dual commitment to ecological preservation and community well-being.”
PaRx, an initiative of BC Parks Foundation, equips healthcare providers with a powerful tool: nature prescriptions for preventative and therapeutic care. Supported by a significant body of evidence, time spent connecting with nature has been shown to improve a wide variety of health outcomes.
Halton Healthcare is the first hospital system in Canada to partner with PaRx, furthering its commitment to innovative, nature-based health solutions available close to home. Through this partnership, primary care physicians are also connected to the PaRx initiative through the Connected Care Halton Ontario Health Team (CCHOHT), expanding access to nature prescriptions across the region.
“Spending more time in nature has health benefits like improving mental health, lowering blood pressure and even extending life expectancy,” says Dr. Stephen Chin, Interim Vice President, Medical Affairs at Halton Healthcare. “The partnership between PaRx and Conservation Halton allows health professionals to prescribe an effective remedy to our patients. Nature prescriptions offer an accessible and sustainable way to improve the health of our community and is a wonderful complement to the care we provide.”
Healthcare providers across Halton Region are encouraged to join the PaRx program to begin issuing nature prescriptions. By participating, they become part of a growing movement that harnesses the power of nature as a therapeutic tool, benefiting patients while promoting conservation and environmental stewardship.
This past summer, Adam van Koeverden, Member of Parliament for Milton, introduced Conservation Halton and BC Parks Foundation’s PaRx program to Halton region. MP van Koeverden is a steadfast advocate for the outdoors, health and well-being, and he fully endorses the initiative.
“This collaboration is a game-changer for our community,” says van Koeverden. “It encourages outdoor activity, fosters a connection with nature, promotes physical health, and nurtures mental resilience and environmental stewardship.”
Conservation Halton joins a growing movement of support for Canada’s national nature prescription program. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority became the first Conservation Authority to partner with PaRx. Building on this momentum, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority hosted a ‘Park Prescription (PaRx) Day’ at Scanlon Creek inviting dozens of families to connect with the outdoors for their health.
Learn more about Conservation Halton here.
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