Communities can apply to work with SDSU to design healthful environment at no cost

BROOKINGS — Nov. 26 is the deadline for South Dakota communities to apply for a no-cost opportunity to improve the built environment and increase active transportation through a collaborative effort between SDSU Landscape Architecture students and South Dakota Dept. of Health.

“Active transportation integrates physical activity into an individual’s normal daily routine, for instance, walking or biking to destinations such as work, grocery stores or other nearby facilities,” explained Nikki Prosch, SDSU Extension Health & Physical Activity Field Specialist.

The community who receives this opportunity will benefit from SDSU Landscape Architect Design students and professors who will conduct varied on-site assessments of the built environment and offer final recommendations and reports during the spring 2015 semester. Recommendations will focus on ways the community can increase active transportation and enhance the built environment to foster active communities.

To apply, interested communities can visit www.healthysd.gov to access the application. The deadline for communities to submit applications is November 26, 2014.