We’re making connecting with nature easy, fun and social 

How are we doing this?

We are an initiative of the BC Parks Foundation, whose mission includes connecting British Columbians, Canadians and visitors to the outdoors.

Healthy By Nature furthers this mission by breaking down barriers and increasing access to the outdoors. Along with providing you research and resources to motivate you to get outside, we also partner with community organizations to reach groups who may not always have easy access to nature.

  • In partnership with MOSAIC and Parkbus, we take new Canadians on hikes in provincial parks around Vancouver. Groups of moms and kids, seniors and families have spent over 300 hours outside and unplugged.

  • We partner with Foundry and Parkbus to offer outdoor programming activities for youth in provincial parks, to improve mental and physical wellbeing and foster personal connections with nature.

  • Along with SeaSmart and NatureKidsBC, kids across B.C. traded screen time for green time over their spring break, getting over 1,350 hours of outdoor time.

Our five-year goal is to have over 10,000 kids getting more than 50,000 hours of green time. We’re well on our way.

If you’d like to support Healthy By Nature, please consider donating to us through the BC Parks Foundation.


Where did Healthy By Nature come from?

Healthy By Nature was originally inspired by the ‘Healthy Parks Healthy People’ international movement that explored the connection between human health and nature, and in particular the important role that parks play. Spearheaded by Becs Hoskins at BC Parks and Bob Peart from the Elders Council for Parks in BC, a wide variety of organizations came together to host the 2011 ‘Healthy By Nature Forum’ in Vancouver, BC. The Healthy by Nature Charter sparked momentum and many of the ideas and connections have carried on since the conference. We are honoured to carry on the spirit of exploring and advancing the links between human health and nature. As we face challenges with COVID-19 and climate change, we need to stay mentally and physically healthy, building our resilience to stress and unexpected events. Spending time in nature is a great way to do that.