New report from University of Kentucky and Sierra Club shows nature’s healing powers for military veterans

Spending quality time outdoors has been shown to improve general health and well-being, reducing feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness. Research indicates that veterans particularly benefit from outdoor activities, which can supplement treatment for injuries and disabilities, including post-traumatic stress disorder. However, accessing the outdoors safely can be challenging due to barriers such as cost, transportation, experience level and mobility issues.  

This prompted the University of Kentucky Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky (CEDIK) to work in conjunction with the Sierra Club Military Outdoors (SCMO) campaign to survey the military community’s experiences with the outdoors.  

The new report summarizes their experiences and makes recommendations that would improve outdoor accessibility for veterans and the military community. 

“Working alongside non-profits like the Sierra Club and making evidence-based recommendations that will support the mental health of veterans and the military community; it’s a win-win situation,” said Sarah Bowker, CEDIK managing director. 

CEDIK, a part of the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, played an important role in this project by synthesizing the feedback from the survey and focus groups to illuminate the priorities. The department’s involvement ensured that the voices of veterans and military community members were heard, and their needs accurately represented.  

In late 2023, SCMO began holding virtual and in-person listening sessions for women veterans in Georgia, Florida and California. They also polled people online from 48 states for their nationwide survey. The objective was to establish a welcoming space where members of the military community, particularly those from marginalized and neglected areas, could freely exchange perspectives and anecdotes about their encounters with nature. Those meetings and the survey were the basis for the report's suggestions. 

"By utilizing multiple methods of collecting feedback on their program, SCMO was able to capture both the benefits the military community already enjoys from participation in outdoor activities, as well as deep insight into the ways that federal support could increase and expand these benefits to more veterans and the wider military community,” said Alison Davis, CEDIK director and professor in the UK Department of Agricultural Economics. “Importantly, these experiences help build a sense of community among a population that can struggle to re-enter a place once their military service is completed.” 

The report provides actionable recommendations for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and federal land management agencies to make the outdoors more accessible for the military community. 

“Sierra Club Military Outdoors works to help the military community make meaningful connections with nature and fellow veterans,” said Sherman Neal II, SCMO deputy director. “Based on my own experiences as a veteran, I know the life-changing impact of time in nature on our bodies, our mental states, and our relationships. Our veterans and service members have sacrificed a lot for the nation, and they deserve to enjoy and heal in the lands they served to protect.” 

Recommendations include establishing a new grant program to support outdoor access programs focusing on the underserved military community and veteran populations, expanding existing programs, improving equitable access to outdoors through adaptive equipment and the use of VA transit services to facilitate access. Other recommendations include creating a national standard for integrating green spaces in VA facilities and military community housing, increasing community awareness of health benefits and existing programs, and supporting transitioning service members in pursuing careers in conservation and outdoor activities.

“These recommendations are not quick, easy fixes,” said Gerry Seavo James, deputy director of Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign. “Rather, they are aimed at building a better, more supportive infrastructure that will make outdoor recreation and nature therapy both viable and accessible options for the military community." 

“CEDIK engages communities in a process that strengthens their capacity to achieve economic development outcomes,” Bowker said. “By collaborating with SCMO on this report, we aim to ensure that veterans and the military community have improved access to nature's healing benefits.” 

SCMO will be hosting a virtual briefing at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 28 to view the report, provide community reactions to the findings and offer a space for questions. RSVP for the briefing at https://sc.org/SCMOReportBriefing.