The Long Island Conservancy To Partner with Construction Hike for Hope

The Long Island Conservancy announced today that it will proudly be supporting the upcoming Construction Hike for Hope, a meaningful community event organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The regional program is focused on supporting the mental health and well-being of construction workers, offering a space for connection and hope within an industry that is reported to experience the highest suicide rate among occupational groups in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Events like the Construction Hike for Hope demonstrate how meaningful connection and healing can occur when people gather outdoors,” said Devon Giordano, executive director of the Long Island Conservancy. “Supporting initiatives that raise awareness about mental health while encouraging people to spend time in nature aligns closely with the Conservancy’s mission to strengthen communities and promote well-being through the natural environment. We applaud the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s work to provide essential assistance to Long Islanders in need, and we are proud to continue preserving Long Island’s beautiful native landscapes.”

The 2026 Hike for Hope will take place on April 25 at Sunken Meadow State Park, where participants will gather to enjoy the park’s natural beauty while reflecting on the ways suicide and mental health conditions have affected individuals, families and communities in the construction industry and beyond. The program is part of the broader Construction Hike for Hope initiative, which aims to improve mental health within the construction industry through effective suicide prevention education. The initiative works to encourage, equip, and empower mental health champions across the workforce while raising awareness about the importance of supporting those who may be struggling.

“The construction industry is built on teamwork and resilience, but the pressures faced by workers can sometimes go unseen,” said Jamie Franchi, director of communications and government relations for the Long Island Contractors Association. “Programs like the Construction Hike for Hope create space for important conversations about mental health while reminding those in the industry that support, connection and resources are available. We thank our sponsors for their ongoing support and efforts to strengthen mental health throughout Long Island.”

By sponsoring the event, the Long Island Conservancy hopes to bring greater attention to the mental health challenges faced by those in the construction field while supporting efforts to build stronger networks of care and understanding throughout the industry.

Spending time in natural environments has been widely shown to support mental health and emotional well-being. Research from the Mayo Clinic and other healthcare providers indicates that even brief exposure to nature can help regulate the body’s stress response, lowering heart rate and blood pressure while improving mood and focus. Studies have also linked time outdoors to reduced anxiety, improved memory and attention and stronger emotional resilience. In some cases, measurable physiological benefits can occur within just a few minutes of stepping outside, underscoring the powerful role that parks, trails and other natural spaces can play in helping individuals recharge and manage the stresses of everyday life.

For more information about the Long Island Conservancy and its work to protect and promote Long Island’s natural spaces, visit longislandconservancy.org. To register for the Construction Hike for Hope, visit supporting.afsp.org/LIconstruction.