Do you want to sleep better at night? Be more creative? Do you have more concentration and attention?
What about a higher level of job satisfaction or a general sense of recovery?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then the 30×30 Challenge could be for you!
Studies show that spending time in nature makes us happier, healthier and less stressed. Just 30 minutes a day can lower your blood pressure, increase your self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve your mood!
Imagine how your health and happiness could improve if you spent time in nature every day for a month. That’s what the 30×30 Challenge is all about.
How to take part
Joining the August 30×30 Challenge is simple.
This August, Ontario Parks and Healthy Parks Healthy People challenge you to make nature a priority by spending 30 minutes outdoors every day for 30 days.
All you need to do is choose where to spend your 30 minutes and what activities to try. For ideas, see: Five Outdoor Activities to Improve Your Health.
Special events
We encourage you to find meaningful moments in nature, whether in our parks, a forest, a beach, or in your own backyard.
Your 30 minutes outdoors can be as simple as breathing deeply, closing your eyes, and relaxing your brain and body.
If you would like to join one of the exciting events taking place in parks across the province, be sure to visit our online events calendar.
Here are some events and activities to get you outdoors in August:
disc golf course
Bronte Creek Provincial Park is a great place to play a round of disc golf.
The 18-hole course is accessible from Parking Lot F and features a mix of long, open shots and short, tight shots.
The park offers rentals if you don’t have your own drive.
Species at Risk Day
Join us to discover more about species at risk in Presqu’ile Provincial Park.
Come to one or all of the activities planned throughout the day!
- Where: Presqu’ile Provincial Park
- When: Saturday August 19
- 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Mini biological bombardment
- 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Fun Fair: Activities, crafts, information stations and more!
- 7:00 pm – Live Animal Demonstration with Scientific Snakes!
Remains of the last guided walk.
As you investigate the past of Neys Provincial Park, you may be surprised to discover a vital part of Canada’s contribution to the Second World War.
Join our Discovery Program interpreters at the Visitor Center for a one-hour walk through Area One to witness the remains of POW Camp 100 and get a glimpse of the stories they hold.
- Where: Neys Provincial Park at the Visitor Center
- When: Fridays and Saturdays in August at 2:00 p.m.
Summer Loon Count
The acidification of Killarney lakes in the 1960s and 1970s had a detrimental effect on our loon populations.
Fortunately, our lakes are recovering and loons have returned to breeding in many of them.
Help us monitor the health of our loon populations by participating in our Summer Loon Count. Prior registration is required.
bike rodeo
Bring your bikes and help us celebrate active transportation.
Join Bonnechere staff and the Killaloe OPP to learn more about bicycle safety and maintenance.
Practice your hand signals on a specially designed course to test your safety and cycling ability.
Afterwards, have fun decorating your bike and join us for a parade through the park!
Pinery Bee Walk
Wildlife Preservation Canada will host two bee walks in Pinery this summer.
The walks include an introduction to bumblebees, hands-on surveys, and some identification practice. Parents are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children.
Prior registration is required.
Bonus: try plogging!
It may have a funny name, but the concept of plogging is simple.
Environmentally friendly people go for a run and bring an empty trash bag (and a glove) to pick up trash along the way. During your run, you’re prepared to pause and pick up trash as you see it.
It’s a great way to give back to valuable ecosystems during your 30×30 Challenge!
- Where: any green space
- When: anytime!
What are you waiting for?
The 30×30 Challenge begins August 1.
Keep track of your trip in TwitterFacebook and Instagram sharing photos and stories with the hashtag #30x30Challenge.