Weekly Hike for Health at Wehr Nature Center begins April 5

MILWAUKEE COUNTY – Emerging wildflowers, songs of migratory birds, and spring breezes will greet everyone eager to get fit in the great outdoors at Hike for Health, a free weekly program beginning April 5 at 10:30 a.m. at Wehr NatureCenter. The Nature Center is located at 9701 W. College Ave., in Whitnall Park.

Participants will walk for 30–90 minutes, depending on their schedules and the weather. Walkers can join a hike on any Wednesday through October.

Besides the camaraderie of the group walk, contact with nature itself can have positive effects. “Green Perspectives for Public Health,” a paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, demonstrates that contact with natural outdoor environments has potential for health-promoting and disease-preventing effects, including lowered blood pressure, heart rate, blood-glucose levels, and cortisol levels, as well as positive effects on the immune-function response.

“Connecting with nature has another great benefit: those who know and love nature work harder to protect it,” McRae said.

Hike for Health participants will meet at the Nature Center’s reception desk. While the walk is free, parking in the adjacent lot is $3 per car. Bicycle parking is available at no charge. Parking is free for Friends of Wehr members.

For more information, contact Wehr Nature Center at (414) 425-8550.

image courtesy the Wehr Nature Center