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PA Survey Confirms Link Between Outdoor Recreation, Mental Well-being

Outdoor Recreation Survey

Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently released the results of a survey that will help shape the state’s 2025-2029 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The survey, which included responses from over 8,000 Pennsylvanians, revealed a strong connection between outdoor recreation and mental well-being.

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Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently released the results of a survey that will help shape the state’s 2025-2029 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The survey, which included responses from over 8,000 Pennsylvanians, revealed a strong connection between outdoor recreation and mental well-being, with 82 percent of respondents agreeing that outdoor recreation is beneficial to mental well-being and 74 percent supporting its use in mental health care.

The survey also found that the most popular outdoor activities among Pennsylvanians include walking, running, scenic driving, picnicking, hiking and visiting historic sites. Additionally, 33 percent of respondents plan trips around outdoor recreation, with over half supporting local businesses during these outings.

The DCNR will be using the survey results to draft the 2025-2029 SCORP, which will be open for public comment from Feb. 3 to March 3, 2025. The plan will guide the state’s policies, programs and investments in outdoor recreation for the next five years.

“The insights from these surveys are vital for shaping our next statewide plan and addressing the evolving needs of our communities,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “We deeply appreciate the thousands of Pennsylvanians who contributed their perspectives, helping us design more people-focused initiatives for the future.”

Every five years, states are required to develop a comprehensive outdoor recreation plan to remain eligible for federal funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This fund has provided over $216 million to Pennsylvania since 1965 for projects such as parks, historic sites, forest and wildlife habitat conservation, and access to recreation, hunting and fishing.

This local news story was reported with generative AI assistance.

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