“Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
— John Muir, Our National Parks
Open Spaces & Recreation
The evidence that access to nature and green, open spaces is critical to human health and thriving communities continues to mount. The health benefits of access to nature include:
- Increased physical fitness and cardiovascular health
- Improved cognitive development in children
- Better sleep
- Decreased stress and depression
- Reduced medical costs
Scenic Rivers is committed to conserving land for the health for our community. Promoting public access to green, open spaces is connected to our mission. Our two largest conservation easements, the Bacon Ridge Natural Area (630 acres) and the Contee Farm (574 acres) on the grounds of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, are on publicly-owned land and are open for passive recreation, such as hiking.