Kawartha Lakes, ON - It may be a small part of Dr. Bradley Taylor’s practice to write up a prescription for his patients to spend two hours a week outside. However, he knows it makes a big difference to their physical and mental health.

“It is a lifestyle recommendation that can supplement traditional treatment,’ says Dr. Taylor. “My patients start to just feel better almost immediately.”

Dr.Taylor has been practising as a family doctor for six years in Peterborough andis encouraging other health practitioners to register for PaRx, Canada’s national nature prescription program, and begin issuing these nature prescriptions.

Kawartha Conservation has partnered with BC Parks Foundation’s PaRx program to help boost nature prescriptions to benefit patient health while promoting protection of the environment.

Kristie Virgoe, Director of Stewardship and Conservation Lands at Kawartha Conservation, is a passionate advocate for the healing power of nature. As a Certified Forest Therapy Practitioner, Kristie has dedicated her career to fostering meaningful connections between people and the natural world, emphasizing how time spent outdoors can transform physical and mental well-being.

‍

‍

“We want to inspire more Ontarians to get outside and enjoy the healing qualities of the outdoors,” says Kristie Virgoe, Director of Stewardship and Conservation Lands at Kawartha Conservation. “A dose of nature is critical to our well-being."

PaRx, an initiative of the BC Parks Foundation, is driven by healthcare professionals who want to improve their patients’ health by connecting them to nature. Launched in 2020, PaRx has since expanded across the country. Over 16,000 prescribers have now registered with the program and are writing nature prescriptions for their patients.

“We have a powerful tool in nature and we are fortunate to have an abundance of it in Canada,” says Jennie McCaffrey VP of Health and Education with BC Parks Foundation.  “We want health professionals in the Kawartha Lakes region to take advantage of this treatment that is in our backyard.”

Starting today, Kawartha Conservation is offering a 25% discount on annual parking at conservation areas for those who receive a prescription to access Durham East Cross Forest, Ken Reid Conservation Area, Pigeon River Headwaters, or Windy Ridge.

“When we immerse ourselves in nature – the rustle of leaves, the scent of pine, the crunch of the trails - we reconnect with something fundamental,” says Virgoe. “This connection grounds us and strengthens our resilience.”

Research has shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, improve memory and increase problem-solving abilities. It’s also linked to improved bloodpressure, reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes, and better immune system function.

“Nature can nurture our well-being,” says Dr Taylor. “I feel rewarded when patients stick to a healthy routine.”