The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) today welcomed a resolution adopted by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) that recognizes nature's role in supporting human health and calls for greater collaboration among the conservation, healthcare and research communities.
The resolution also supports the establishment of a strategic partnership among AFWA, ACLM and the Nature and Health Alliance (NHA) to promote the health and well-being benefits of nature.
Adopted during AFWA's recent 116th Annual Meeting, the resolution recognizes nature as a beneficial component of each pillar of lifestyle medicine– optimal nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, connectedness and avoidance of risky substances. The resolution noted that outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting and habitat stewardship can encourage physical activity and connectedness, support mental and cardiovascular health, and improve quality of life.
"Nature is one of our most accessible, yet underused, resources for whole-person health," said ACLM CEO John Findley, MD, CPE. "It gives us space to move, play, be curious, restore and connect more deeply with others and ourselves. Emerging evidence suggests time in nature can positively affect depression and anxiety, blood pressure, stress and inflammation. Nature may be one of the few interventions that touches virtually every pillar of lifestyle medicine simply by stepping outside. This resolution recognizes a powerful truth: the health of people and the places in which we live are deeply connected. By helping more people experience nature's benefits, we can inspire greater care for the environments that help us flourish."
State fish and wildlife agencies help connect millions of people with the outdoors and the natural resources that sustain our communities. This resolution recognizes the important connection between healthy natural resources and healthy communities, and the opportunity to strengthen both through our conservation work. As hunting seasons get underway across the country, we are reminded of the many benefits of our fish and wildlife resource by connecting people to the outdoors and supporting conservation to providing nutritious, naturally sourced protein. Together, these benefits contribute to healthier people, healthier communities, and a healthier environment."
Ron Regan, Executive Director, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
Building collaboration across health and conservation
The resolution grew from the work of AFWA's One Health Committee, which brings wildlife and conservation leaders together with experts across sectors to address the connections between the health of wildlife, people and the environment. It identified strong alignment among the committee's charge, ACLM's programs and pillars, and NHA's work to advance research,
"We are excited to see the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies recognize the important connection between healthy people and a healthy natural world," Nature and Health Alliance Chair Dr. Jennifer Roberts said. "This resolution creates an exciting opportunity for NHA, ACLM, and the conservation community to work together to advance nature and health and strengthen the reciprocal relationship between people and the natural world."
Connecting interest in nature with clinical practice
Recent survey findings illustrate both the public's interest in receiving guidance about the health benefits of nature and the opportunity for healthcare professionals to provide it. The American Nature & Health Survey from NHA and REI Co-op found that 83% of respondents would spend more time outside if a healthcare provider recommended it, while only 20% said they had received such a recommendation.
To help close that gap, ACLM plans to launch a new Nature and Health CME/CE course in 2027. Developed in partnership with NHA and underwritten with support from the REI Cooperative Action Fund, the course will help clinicians understand the science connecting nature and health and responsibly integrate evidence-based, nature-based interventions into patient care.
A shared vision for healthier people and natural environments
The resolution reflects the conservation community's growing recognition that protecting natural environments can also help support human health and well-being.
"The health of people, wildlife and the outdoors cannot be viewed in isolation," said Missouri Department of Conservation Director Jason Sumners, who is chair of AFWA's One Health Committee. "This resolution reflects that shared understanding and reinforces the value of working together to help people and communities connect with and care for the outdoors and natural resources that sustain us."
"We are in the midst of a powerful moment recognizing the $1.3 trillion outdoor recreation economy as a national solution for our public health," said President of Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Jessica Turner. "This timely resolution complements our vision for America's Outdoor Era-a future where we make it easier for all Americans to get outdoors for their health, from their front doors to deep in the backcountry on public lands and waters. We applaud this effort to bring recreation, conservation, healthcare, and research leaders together and advance a future in which safe, convenient access to time outside is recognized as an essential part of health and well-being, and continues to drive economic impacts nationwide."
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