From Berks Nature
Berks Nature’s 18th annual State of the Environment Breakfast will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading, 701 Penn St., Reading, on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the program starting at 8 a.m.
Adolescents today are facing a mental health crisis. Nationally, feelings of sadness and hopelessness have been on the rise, and in Berks County, 38% of middle schoolers report feeling sad or depressed most of the time. Struggling to cope, Berks County’s youth are increasingly turning to self-harm: around 16.7% in 2023 compared to 14.7% in 2019.
Where do we go from here? The answer may be … outside. Time in nature has been shown to reduce stress and the symptoms of anxiety and depression while increasing happiness and a sense of meaning and purpose in life. Better yet, Berks County is rich in green spaces: nearly 39% of the county is forested, and 11% of the county’s total acreage is dedicated to recreation.
What healing could the youth of Berks County and the City of Reading find outside? What obstacles stand in the way? And what do local youth leaders need to overcome these challenges?
At the 18th annual State of the Environment Breakfast, Berks Nature’s President will be joined by Rick Perez, President & CEO of Olivet Boys & Girls Club, to consider these questions and seek community-focused solutions. During this program, Berks Nature will introduce the first tool in what the nonprofit envisions as a multidisciplinary community partnership to help local youth find peace, healing, and connection in nature: a map of Reading’s 50+ parks, playgrounds, and green spaces.
Grab your ticket at support.berksnature.org/product/SOTE2026/state-of-the-environment-breakfast-2026-ticket. All attendees will have access to a breakfast buffet and will leave the event with a free giveaway gift as well as a copy of this year’s State of the Environment publication, which includes a map to the green side of Reading.
About Berks Nature
Berks Nature is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that has been serving the Berks County community since 1974. We believe that nature is essential to our quality of life. Our work centers around this value, from land preservation and trail management to community gardens and environmental education to our State of the Environment report and summer Eco-Camp, protecting, stewarding, and connecting people to nature and Berks County’s unique mosaic of natural resources.
We welcome your involvement in many ways! Become a champion of nature, volunteer, make a donation, or attend an upcoming program at The Nature Place. Get involved today. Your local action can have a global impact. Visit berksnature.org for more information.
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