focused science delivery :: research findings & evidence . . . . . project partners:
USFS Urban & Community Forestry USDA Forest Service National Urban & Community Forestry Advisory Council Green Cities: Good Health Literature Review on Human Health and Well-Being More than 80 percent of the U.S. population, and more than 50 percent of all people in the world, live in urbanized areas. Forty years of research proves that nature in cities and towns—parks, gardens, trees, small landscapes, and nature
provides many benefits to well-being. a s – A series of summaries is the result of a review of more than 2,800 research publications. The online resources share the scientific evidence of health
and well-being benefits provided by urban forestry and urban greening.
Distribution of more than 2,800 articles across themes www.greenhealth.washington.edu Project Approach An extensive literature review was done in cooperation with the University of Washington’s research libraries. The entire collection of peer-­‐
reviewed articles and reports has been assembled in a database. Content analysis was done on a subset of articles to generate benefits themes. Summary essays describe key science findings for each theme and include full citations of the original publications. All summaries will be available on the web as they are completed. What Is the Issue? Project Goals Scientific evidence from the social sciences—psychology, sociology, public health, economics, and other disciplines—demonstrates the benefits of urban greening for human health, wellness, and well-­‐being. Yet this knowledge is not widely known, and sources can be difficult to access. The published research has been collected and is summarized by themes at the Green Cities: Good Health website. •
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Why Is This Research Important?
Metro nature provides environmental benefits, such as improved air and water quality, energy savings, and reduced urban heat island effects. The social sciences provide additional evidence that the experience of nature is profoundly important to human functioning, wellness, and well-­‐being. Given the high population densities of urban areas, every bit of nearby nature has the potential to benefit hundreds to thousands of people daily. This project provides communities with science-­‐based evidence that can support better planning and management of urban natural resources to achieve quality of life. Contact: KATHLEEN WOLF, University of Washington: phone: 206-­‐732-­‐7820, email: kwolf@uw.edu •
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Provide evidence-­‐based tools Create additional outreach products such as briefing sheets, presentation slides, PSAs, and YouTube videos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=te5kIHiZuE0
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTwbEogu2b4
Explore economic valuation approaches Begin development of an i-­‐Tree Community benefits analysis tool Project Sponsors May 2014
Funding for this work is provided by the United States American Reinvestment and Recovery Act coordinated by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (in education and training programs and activities), age, disability, or retaliation.