PB PERS PBC Parks Mental Health-Purple Martin

Talked with Jackie Lambert, Emilie Travis, Daniella Robbins, PBC Parks & Rec Dept, and Shelly Rosenberg, Audubon Everglades/Purple Martin. May is Mental Health Awareness and Trauma Informed Care Month and Purple Martin month in PBC. The role of PBC Parks in Mental Health is, " : Parks and recreation agencies are an underutilized health care resource. They create healthy communities and play a fundamental role in enhancing the physical environments in which we live. Through facilities, outdoor settings and services provided, they support good health for people of all abilities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds and ethnicities. Parks provide a connection to nature, which studies demonstrate relieves stress levels, tightens interpersonal relationships and improves mental health. In addition, they foster overall wellness and healthful habits, such as engaging in enrichment opportunities that add balance to life. " Some of the upcoming programs are: Night Hike, Walk with Ease, Sunset Stroll, Pickleball and Archery. Listeners can also enjoy the benefits of mental wellness while participating in a Purple Martin hike/tour. Shelly is hosting programs at Okeeheelee Nature Center and Riverbend Park to help create awareness of the purple martin. They are swallow like birds that rely on humans 100% for their habitat. They live in gourd like houses and are an indicator species. Listeners can come register online at http://pbcparks.com or go to www.auduboneverglades.org. Listeners can also sign up to be volunteers, including an "Okee Teen" volunteer, register for a class, find a complete list of parks/events or to sponsor the park for a day. Also, PBC is doing Get Your Green On, pbcbirthto22.com and folks can show support by wearing green on May 18th.