Healthier Communities Start Outside

Join the Wisconsin Bike Fed and the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation for the 2026 Wisconsin Healthy Communities Summit, a two-day event focused on building healthier, thriving communities through outdoor recreation.

Across Wisconsin and the nation, communities are rethinking how trails, parks and outdoor infrastructure contribute to public health, economic growth and quality of life. At the Healthy Communities Summit, you will connect with peers, learn from national experts and explore practical strategies you can bring back to your own community.

In just two days, you will:

• Learn how outdoor recreation supports workforce attraction, tourism and community development
• Explore strategies to design trails, parks and outdoor spaces around community needs
• Discover how outdoor recreation can support healthcare and improve physical and mental well-being
• Build partnerships that strengthen equity and access in the outdoors
• Hear real stories from communities across Wisconsin

The Summit features keynote presentations from seven-time world champion endurance athlete and mental health advocate Rebecca Rusch, who will inspire the audience to embrace movement, and strategist and author of If You Want to Win, You’ve Got to Fight, Carter Lavin, who will share practical guidance for organizing and advocating for people-centered transportation and outdoor infrastructure.

With engaging breakout sessions, networking opportunities and hands-on field trips, the Summit will offer you real-world examples that you can put to action in your community.