Want to get a prescription for nature access in Canada? Here’s how it works
Halton Healthcare and Conservation Halton have joined forces with a foundation based in British Columbia to provide nature prescriptions to patients. This initiative allows patients to access local conservation areas for free, promoting the benefits of spending time in nature for overall health and well-being.
This partnership is the latest addition to the program, which has been available in other parts of Canada since 2020. The process is simple – any licensed healthcare professional in Canada, from nurses to physicians to physiotherapists, can give out nature prescriptions. They need to register with the PaRx website to obtain a code and then provide the prescription to patients through their clinic, adding their provider code.
Patients interested in receiving a nature prescription will find that the criteria are fairly straightforward, with most individuals qualifying for the prescription. After receiving the prescription, patients can visit the PaRx website or the local partner’s website, such as Conservation Halton, to fill out a form with basic information and the provider code. Patients may receive 10 free visits to a Conservation Halton park or, in some cases, a year’s worth of unlimited visits to national parks and conservation areas with the Parks Canada Discovery Pass.
Other partners in the PaRx program include Conservation Toronto, the Toronto Zoo, and the Canadian Museum of Nature. Conservation Halton stands out as the first organization outside of national parks to offer free day-use access to their parks, allowing patients to enjoy up to 10 free visits to the parks in the Greater Toronto Area.
Craig Machan, director of parks and operations at Conservation Halton, emphasizes the importance of disconnecting from everyday life and spending time in nature. He highlights the mental health benefits of being in nature, especially during the winter months when many people struggle. Machan notes that 75% of nature prescriptions are written for mental health purposes, showing the significance of this program in promoting overall well-being.
Dr. Stephen Chin, interim vice president for medical affairs at Halton Healthcare, underscores the positive impact of spending time outdoors on health. He explains that just 20 minutes of walking outside can lead to a drop in cortisol levels, improving mental health, lowering blood pressure, and potentially extending life expectancy. The goal of the program is to encourage a healthier lifestyle and serve as a starting point for individuals to prioritize their well-being.
The PaRx program, initiated by the BC Parks Foundation, is now available in every province, allowing healthcare providers nationwide to prescribe nature to their patients. Jennie McCaffrey, vice president of health and education at the BC Parks Foundation, highlights the dual purpose of the program – connecting people to nature and promoting conservation efforts. By integrating nature into daily life, the foundation hopes to make spending time outdoors a social norm and a fundamental pillar of health alongside sleep, diet, and exercise.
Overall, the nature prescription program serves as a valuable tool in promoting holistic health and well-being, encouraging individuals to prioritize time in nature for physical and mental health benefits. The partnership between healthcare providers, conservation organizations, and foundations demonstrates a collaborative effort to improve the overall health of communities across Canada.
