News

Local trail work recognized at Center for Health & Nature Symposium

December 14, 2021

Jana Renner, Senior Program Officer for the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, was recently invited to present virtually at the 2021 Center for Health & Nature Symposium. Key speakers shared information on the benefits linked between health and nature. Ms. Renner shared the unique partnership between the Health Foundation and public entities to promote strategic regional trail planning and project implementation. This included the development and implementation of a master plan for a 68-mile county-wide trail in El Paso County, which includes a segment led and funded by the Health Foundation for the design and construction of a 3.4-mile hike/bike Playa Drain Trail from Ascarate Park to Riverside High School.

The project has engaged stakeholders to develop more trail segments and promote the trail through walking and biking events, tree planting and conservation projects. Trails offer communities a positive benefit related to economic development, health, and safety.

The Center for Health & Nature is a partnership between Texan by Nature, Houston Methodist, and Texas A&M Health Science Center. The Health & Nature Symposium convenes friends of the center, researchers, potential funders, and donors to explore ways to advance the science of the interplay between exposure to natural environments, health and healing. For more information about the Paso del Norte Trail, visit pasodelnortetrail.org.