Illinois’s natural landscapes are an economic engine driving public health and high-impact youth development. Explore how investing in outdoor recreation creates a strategic “win-win-win" for regional resilience, vitality, and prosperity in this free, live online session for local government and nonprofit staff, community leaders, and the general public.
The presenters will connect the dots between wellness, workforce, and economic resilience. Reframing outdoor recreation as essential infrastructure rather than an optional amenity, this presentation positions public lands as integrated systems that drive public health, workforce development, and economic resilience.
Presenters
Katie Dudley, community and economic development Extension specialist, University of Illinois: Dudley’s expertise lies at the intersection of local community engagement, economic development, and responsible tourism systems. She has a doctorate in parks, recreation, and tourism management from Clemson University.
Dr. Brooke Jacobs, founder of Delve Health Consulting: Dr. Jacobs’ passion lies in consulting psychology – helping people, teams, and organizations create environments that support both wellness and effectiveness. Jacobs has a doctorate in psychology from Western Kentucky University.
Evan Coulson, founder of the Trailhead Collective: Coulson’s professional activities include work with the Wilderness Education Association, the Association for Experiential Education, and as the Wisconsin State Advocate for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Evans has a doctorate in agricultural sciences with a focus on forest recreation.
About the Resilient Communities Series
Part of the Local Government Education programming series, Resilient Communities presentations are a result of a collaboration between University of Illinois Extension and Prairie Rivers Network to build capacity for technical assistance and education aimed to help communities navigate energy- and environment-related funding opportunities, provide guidance on community inclusion, and lead community-specific strategic planning. This outreach can help communities secure and manage resources to address legacy pollution, invest in clean energy technologies, and more.
