HEAD OUTSIDE
BRAINERD LAKES!

“Wilderness to the people of America is a spiritual necessity, an antidote to the high pressure of modern life, a means of regaining serenity and equilibrium.” - Sigurd Olson, 1946

​

The Nature Network is a coalition of nature-focused partners that encourage outdoor activities for the good of individuals, families, and our community. But why are the great outdoors so important to us? Because it is just so darn good for you.

 

Spending time outdoors is linked to positive health benefits like decreased incidences of diabetes and cardio-vascular mortality, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and better immune system function. In fact, these positive effects that are so well-documented that more and more doctors are issuing “nature prescriptions” to help treat a range of conditions from heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, to chronic stress, depression and anxiety, insomnia and even PTSD.