Frisk i naturen/ ” Healty in nature In a Nordic textur Lisa Bergström Project leader for ”Frisk i naturen” Frilu

1. Frisk i naturen/ ”Healty in nature In a Nordic textur Lisa Bergström Project leader for ”Frisk i naturen” Friluftslivets fellesorganisasjon, Norway www.friskinaturen.org lisa@frifo.no + 46 (0) 70 268 80 10

2. The main reason why we started up this project is… …the lack of outdoor recreation within the public health area over all, and in all Nordic countries significantly ?

3. The genesis of the project • Lack of outdoor activities within the Public Health area ! • In 2006 contribute the Nordic network for outdoor recreation to that “outdoor recreation” became a part of the "Nordic Action Plan for better lifestyles through nutrition and physical activity", which was not mentioned initially! A milestone. • 2007 a Nordic Workshop was planed and an application sent out to NMR (refusal) • 2008 (spring) a meeting between the health sector and the umbrella organizations of outdoor recreation, from each country, was held - the workshop was revised to a Nordic project "Outdoor recreation and Health". • 2009 (Spring) the Nordic Council of Ministers granted the project – the project started August the 1stand will complete in the end of 2011.

5. Two important partners became the project Reference Group

6. Organisation

7. The Health department Olov Belander Department of Physical activities FRIFO (umbrella org. for the outdoors) Harald Tronvik, senior adviser The Association of Intermunicipal Outdoor Recreation Boards MortenDåsnes, Daily leader The national board of health Tue Kristiansson/ Peter Aagaard ”Centrum of prevention/physical activities” The outdoor council Ida Kryger, Consultent/project coordinator for ”GrønneSpirer” The Swedish institute of public health HenrikBeijer, Department of physical activities and lifestyle (KalleLockner fall 2011) The Swedish national outdoor recreation organization Ulf Silvander, general secretary FRIFO (umbrella org. for the outdoors Norway) Lisa Bergström, project leader Institutet for health and welfare AnttiUutel Research professor, Department director Lifestyle and Participation SuomenLatuRy (umbrella org. for the outdoors) RaijaLaukkanen board member SuomenLatuRy Mika Asikainen, general secretary

9. 5 goals in sight .... Developing and promoting the Nordic outdoor policies with a clear public health profile Establish good relations between outdoor organizations and the health sector in each country and with relevant committees of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Communicate”best practice” Communicating relevant research and documentation - understandable. Contributing to reduce social inequalities in health - low thresholds.

10. How? By a communicativewebsitewww.friskinaturen.org Simplify and packagingknowledge By establishingcontacts (network) By establishingmeetingpoints By show of good arguments, best practices and evidence-based research Focus on activities with low threshold ... Campaign; Frisk i naturen (?)

11. Focus Areas Outdoor & Public Health Outdoor Education (children) Physical activity on prescription-preventive and therapeutic health care Green areas in urban / spatial planning Outdoors & Mental Health

12. Target groups Politicians /decision makers NGO´s Nordic Council of Ministers Landscape Architects Teachers (school) Physicians (FaR) Public health (people working with Public Health) The public

13. The project has its base in ... A Nordic action plan for better health and quality of life through food and physical activity. Where it was found (Nov 2005) that, 50% of the citizens in the Nordic countries do not follow the recommendation for physical activity daily 40% of the adult population is overweight Nearly 20% of children and adolescents are overweight, There is great social inequality Cost for this illness is approximately 1 - 2% of GDP, There is little documentation / research in the field Nordique Environnemental Action 2009 - 2012. Nordic Council of Ministers want to see the following: Increase awareness and visibility of landscape and cultural heritage for good quality of life. Stimulating an environment-friendly outdoor activities for new and old open-air operators. Visualize and document the link between recreation and health. Outdoor Life promotes health and quality of life and is an integral part of community development

15. Whyoutdoorrecreation? Nature gives you harmony, make you relax and has healing effect upon us. An activity which is life-long Free of charge Blood pressure drops in the wild Nature gives simulation to the brain Nature in itself reduces stress Nature provides increased concentration Nature provides more vitamin D Nature makes you more physical active Nature improves recovery, improved motor skills Prevents dementia etc "Nature has a significant impact on mental health. A person in crisis needs to return to simpler relations. Contact with the natural triggers creative processes." (Harold Searles)

16. Urban green spaces becomes more important 75-80% of us live in or near a city Proximity, accessibility and design has big impact on us, if we visit a green area or not. Cooperation beyond professions, Doctors - Health Planners- Landscape Architects – teachers etc Collaboration across borders - to learn from one another Outdoor Life as " export item "(?) - part of the solution on lifestyle diseases

17. Esperations … To increase the political visibility for the outdoor life issues To increase awareness of the link- "Discussion - Health - Environment" That we in the end of this project has a solid documentation, showing the importance of outdoor recreation when it comes to public health That the project could trigger a Nordic effort to use this potential found in outdoor activities That the Nordic Council of Ministers endorsed an Nordic Action Plan for outdoor recreation and public health in the end of 2011 Stay healty in nature!!

18. www.friskinaturen.org