Community Building

Involvement in greening projects leads to social interactions that help form and strengthen social ties. This can lead to greater community wellness, stability, and resilience. Read About the Research

Local Economics

Trees, landscaping, parks, and natural spaces provide benefits that can't be bought and sold outright. Yet economists have devised many ways to assess the economic values of metro nature services. Read About the Research

Place Attachment & Meaning

The experience of place is part of our sense of self, of community, and a connectedness to everyday life. Our place connections are significant, and provide meaning. Nature is a key aspect of many places that are important to people. Read About the Research

Crime & Fear

Property and personal crime rates are influenced by physical settings. Quality outdoor spaces promote positive social conditions that discourage crime. There are also relationships between trees and safety or accidents. Read About the Research

Safe Streets

Transportation officials may urge removal of trees on urban streets for safety reasons. Here is the latest research, focusing on urban, not rural, conditions. Read About the Research

Active Living

Too many people in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Nature in built environments promotes moderate physical activities, helping to prevent chronic diseases. Read About the Research

Reduced Risk

Trees and greenery in cities can reduce human exposure to certain environmental risks. The result is less disease and illness for city dwellers of all ages. Read About the Research

Wellness & Physiology

Physiology is the term for basic, core functions of the body. Exposure to nature aids recovery from stress and anxiety, and the body's positive response is remarkably fast. Read About the Research

Healing & Therapy

Studies in various health care settings show a link between nature and healing. Nature contact may also supplement or augment medical treatment and therapy. Read About the Research

Mental Health & Function

Our everyday surroundings affect personal productivity. Experiences of nature aid recovery from mental fatigue, increase cognitive function, and improves work capacity. Read About the Research

Work & Learning

Views of nature improve job satisfaction and task performance by desk workers. Outdoor settings can also boost learning as the fascinations of nature appeal to human curiousity. Read About the Research

Lifecycle & Gender

Some benefits research has focused on certain populations, such as children or the elderly, or compares how women differ from men in their response to nature. Read About the Research