Reentry, Restore, and Reconnect Excursions at Lands End

Thanks to your generous support, we kicked off our Reentry, Restore, and Reconnect Excursions program at Land Together this month! This initiative provides meaningful coastal experiences for our reentry community members to experience the joy of nature together. As we continue refining this program, we remain committed to providing restorative outdoor experiences that foster healing and belonging.

Our first excursion took place on February 8 with a 3.6-mile hike at Lands End in San Francisco. A special moment was when our guest, Kelly Brown from the Mvskoke Creek Nation, led a heartfelt prayer honoring those still incarcerated and the Ohlone land we walked upon. The day ended with a shared meal in San Francisco’s Richmond District, fostering connection and community. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants eager to return to this spot and explore more coastal spaces.

Our participants have expressed how these excursions provide a sense of normalcy and confidence in outdoor spaces. Many are excited to introduce their loved ones to coastal hikes and have volunteered to promote future excursions in our peer support groups. 

There is a growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating how contact with the natural world can significantly reduce stress, increase creativity and productivity, improve self-esteem, and support healing for depression, anxiety and PTSD. Policymakers, employers, and healthcare providers are increasingly considering the human need for nature in how they plan and operate. Land Together breaks down access barriers to nature inside and outside of prisons because of the countless physical and psychological benefits of connecting to nature, and because we believe that universal and equitable access to nature is fundamental to our humanity and to the future of life on Earth.