Earth Day, which is celebrated each year on April 22, is a day given to enjoying and preserving the beauty of our planet. On Earth Day, people around the world are encouraged to reflect upon the importance of a healthy environment, to identify ways in which they can make their own lives more environmentally sustainable and to simply get outside and enjoy the natural world.

In honor of Earth Day, Dr. Andrew Lepp, assistant professor of recreation, park and tourism management at Kent State, provides a few of the many benefits of outdoor recreation.

1. Outdoor recreation provides psychological benefits.
For example: the prevention or reduction of stress; increased self esteem, confidence and creativity; spiritual growth; and an increased sense of exhilaration, adventure and challenge from life.

2. Outdoor recreation provides physical benefits.
For example: aerobic, cardiovascular and muscular fitness as well as improved functioning of the immune system.

3. Outdoor recreation provides social benefits.
For example: increased pride in one’s community and nation as well as opportunities for bonding with like-minded individuals.

4. Outdoor recreation provides economic benefits.
For example: Individuals who regularly participate in outdoor recreation tend to be more productive at work; outdoor recreation creates job opportunities for others leading to economic growth; and the preservation of the natural areas needed for outdoor recreation increases property values.

5. Outdoor recreation provides environmental benefits.
For example: The increased environmental awareness and concern which results from outdoor recreation can lead to increased involvement in environmental issues.

Lepp, who teaches classes in outdoor recreation, park management and natural resource conservation for Kent State’s Recreation, Park and Tourism Management program, has worked for the U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service and as a park warden in Uganda. Lepp can be reached at 330-672-0218 or alepp1@kent.edu.