World Parks Academy Webinar: Park Prescriptions – What Are They and How to Implement Them

About

World Parks Academy Webinar: Park Prescriptions - What Are They and How to Implement Them

As the health and nature movement grows, the definition of Park Prescriptions continues to evolve. Park Prescription programs can be as diverse as the communities for which they are designed and they often include collaboration between park and public land agencies, healthcare providers, and community partners. As a result, identifying universal criteria for what constitutes a “Park Prescription” is challenging. Join us as Parks RX (US) and Pa Rx – A Prescription for Nature (Canada), as they discuss the growing body of research about the connection of green space to health and their respective prescriptions programs.

Speakers

• Moderator: Scott Martin
• Melissa Lem
• Jennie McCaffrey
• Robert Zarr

Panelist Bios

Dr. Melissa Lem is Director of PaRx for the BC Parks Foundation--Canada's first national nature prescription program--and a family physician based in Vancouver, British Columbia who also works in rural and northern communities within Canada. President-Elect of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, she has been researching, writing, and speaking about the nature-health connection for over a decade. A widely published writer, she was the resident medical expert on CBC TV's hit lifestyle show Steven and Chris for four seasons and continues to appear on-air as a regular contributor to CTV News. Dr. Lem is also a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

Jennie McCaffrey is an experienced educator, facilitator, and project manager, specializing in leading strategic initiatives with non-profit organizations, and collaborating with the provincial and federal government, school districts, and industry groups that aim to change behaviors and empower people to protect the environment. Currently, you can find Jennie supporting the BC Parks Foundation's Healthy By Nature initiative, facilitating workshops and working on special projects for HCTF Education, leading a new eLearning initiative for the Invasive Species Council of BC, or outside with her two young boys!

Dr. Robert Zarr, Founder & Medical Director of Park Rx America, is a board-certified pediatrician at Unity Health Care, located in Washington, DC, where he cares for low-income and immigrant populations. Dr. Zarr is also a certified nature and forest therapy guide. With Dr. Zarr’s leadership, Park Rx America has partnered with USDA Forest Service, to create the first-of-its-kind continuing education activity on nature and human health, specifically designed for healthcare professionals. He previously served as an advisor to the National Park Service on Park Prescriptions. Dr. Zarr. received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Baylor College of Medicine and Master of Public Health degree from the University of Texas School of Public Health.

Dates & Times (Times are listed as local start times)

April 27th, 2021 at 1:30 PM EST

Webinar URL

Webcast URL If you do not wish to earn CEUs for this webcast, you do not need to register and may attend the webinar by simply clicking here.