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Severson Dells Executive Director Reminds Public 'Nature Is Free'

Northern Public Radio | By Connie Kuntz

Published March 16, 2020 at 1:24 PM CDT

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Severson Dells Executive Director Ann Wasser.

Connie Kuntz

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A bald eagle soars above Severson Dells.

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Hall Creek and the bluffs at Severson Dells.

Connie Kuntz

If you feel like social media is the only thing left to do now that so many things are closed, Ann Wasser wants you to get off Facebook and go outside. She's the executive director for Severson Dells Nature Center and says the trails are in good condition in Winnebago County and throughout the northern Illinois forest preserve system.

She said, "The Byron, Boone County Conservation District, and DeKalb Forest Preserves have lots of natural areas to explore."

An afternoon view at Severson Dells Nature Center.

Wasser said, "Nature is free" and cited the health benefits of going ouside. "It lowers cortisol, which is your stress hormone. It also lowers blood pressure."

Hitting the trails is also an opportunity to practice social distancing -- and it's still early enough in the season that there aren't any mosquitoes.

For more information about local outdoor opportunities, Wasser recommends 815Outside. For national opportunities, she "prescribes" the options listed on Parkrx.