New study looks at how exploring outdoors influences well

RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) - A new study in Rutland is aiming to learn the science behind why exploring the outdoors matters.

Rutland’s Come Alive Outside and Colorado State University researchers want to know how outdoor-based activities can influence a persons’ well being.

They say so far, the group has had positive community impacts that they haven’t seen in other states.

“There’s so much research about how connecting with nature and spending time in nature really influences people individual well being, and community well being, social behavior, so like people are going to be nicer to each other as well as environmental stewardship,” Kaiya Tamlyn of Colorado State University said.

The team says they’re using data from Come Alive Outside’s outdoor passport app to help learn more about natu