2024 Nature and Health Symposium

This talk presented an examination of how early-life stress influences environmental sensitivity throughout the lifespan. The discussion emphasized the concept of differential susceptibility, which emerges from developmental psychology, illustrating how the same heightened sensitivity, a product of early stress, can lead to increased negative effects from detrimental environments and amplified benefits from positive environments, such as nature. Additionally, the talk addressed the significant health equity implications of these interactions. Attendees gained a nuanced understanding of the role of early stress in shaping individual responses to the physical environment and its broader implications for society.

Hector Olvera Alvarez, PhD, PE
Sr. Associate Dean for Research, School of Nursing Oregon Health & Science University

Hector (he/him) is interested in understanding the combined role of psychosocial stress and environmental factors (e.g., air pollution) in the connection between low socio-economic status (SES) and health outcomes across the life span. Currently, his work focuses on disentangling the biobehavioral pathways through which these social and environmental factors interact to cause health disparities. Building on a broad research experience, skill set (e.g., environmental and social epidemiology, exposure science), and mentorship, he recently structured a set of interdisciplinary conceptual frameworks that jointly explain how socially-disparate susceptibilities — like early life stress — can amplify the impact of environmental factors — like air pollution — on cardiovascular health. Now, he is testing the hypothesis proposed by these frameworks through novel semi-controlled experiments of human exposure to near-traffic air pollution in real-world microenvironments and through the Nurse Engagement and Wellness Study (NEWS), a longitudinal cohort study (n > 500) of predominately Hispanic nursing students from Texas — for which he is the principal investigator — that aims at disentangling the pathways through which early life stress induces life-long sensitivity to social (e.g., stress) and environmental (e.g., green space, metals, air pollution) factors and increases the risk for inflammation-related health problems in adulthood.

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Increasing global mental-health burdens, exemplified by an alarming rise in depression worldwide, paired with planetary infirmities such as climate change, underscore the urgent need for decisive global action. While research on nature’s effects on mental health is pivotal in sustainability and health agendas, societies worldwide experience ‘nature’ differently, alongside unequal access to physical and symbolic capitals. This presentation drew on a literature assessment over a decade of research, a regional qualitative study in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, and an ongoing pilot study testing a culturally sensitive systems approach. It critically examined limitations in current health and nature research, and advocated for inclusivity, particularly in representing Indigenous perspectives crucial for addressing planetary health challenges.

Carlos Andres Gallegos-Riofrío, PhD
Research Assistant Professor & Co-coordinator Agroecology, Nature and Health
Institute for Agroecology & Agriculture, Landscape, and Environment, University of Vermont

Carlos Andres works in agroecology, planetary health, and nutrition. His interdisciplinary profile combines behavioral, life and social sciences, arts, and communications. Carlos Andres has more than a decade of experience in applied and community-based research, with experiences in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Australia, and the U.S. He has published extensively in scientific journals, and has co-authored a book, a book chapter and two social marketing manuals.

Carlos Andres co-ordinates the Agroecology, Nature, and Health research area in the UVM Institute for Agroecology and is the principal investigator (PI) of three projects framed with participative, transdisciplinary, pluralistic and justice-oriented lenses: (i) a cross-cultural learning process with BIPOC rural and urban farming communities in the U.S. to critically address issues around ethnicity, embodiment, power, and the hegemony of knowledge in nature and health research; (ii) a pilot study on the Earth-health connection using a coherence model (i.e., life is as an interconnected whole, links between soil and plants microbiology, human gut bacteria and emotions); (iii) and a collaboration in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia to share Andean perspectives to understand health and well-being effects of disconnecting from traditional agroecosystems and Mother Nature.

In addition, he is the Research Coordinator of the Caliata Initiative – an international community-based partnership promoting sustainability projects in rural Andes. Also, a Faculty Associate at the Buder Center for American Indian Studies in Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), advising on food sovereignty, resiliency, and sustainability. Carlos Andres collaborates with Drs. Iannotti (WUSTL, E3 Nutrition Lab) and Waters (Universidad San Francisco de Quito [USFQ]), acting as social marketing specialist for Ecuador’s pilot “Mikhuna Project: Evolutionary Maternal Nutrition.”

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Dr. Munanura’s presentation at the 2024 Northwest Nature and Health Symposium addressed a critical and alarming trend illuminated by recent research—a notable underrepresentation of individuals identifying as Black, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native American in national forest outdoor recreation. Despite belonging to the fastest-growing segments of the US population, these communities grapple with substantial barriers hindering their access and engagement in forest-based recreation. The growing demographic landscape only serves to exacerbate these challenges, posing significant risks to the efficacy of forest-based recreation as a tool for stewardship and sustainable forest management.

Dr. Munanura’s presentation illuminated existing research gaps that impede a comprehensive understanding of the limitations faced by individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. The discussion delved into the intricacies of forest recreation constraints, offering conceptual solutions to foster cultural diversity in public forest recreation, drawing upon insights drawn from the literature. Through a nuanced exploration of forest recreation constraints among culturally diverse groups of people, Dr. Munanura shared his insights that can contribute to the enhancement of the inclusivity of national forest recreation, ensuring enduring enjoyment for all.

Ian Munanura, PhD
Associate Professor
College of Forestry, Oregon State University

Ian is an Associate Professor at Oregon State University in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society and the College of Forestry. He has a doctorate in parks, recreation, and tourism management from Clemson University in the United States, a master’s degree in tourism and conservation from the University of Kent in England, and a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Rwanda. His work integrates sustainable tourism, rural community development, and participatory wildlife management practices. His current research in the United States focuses on identifying the barriers that prevent people of color from recreating in forests. In Africa, he examines the constraints limiting human-wildlife coexistence and the possibilities of nature-based solutions, such as ecotourism. Ian previously oversaw and advised integrated wildlife conservation programs in Africa, including those financed by the United States Agency for International Development. He was also the Country Program Director for the Wildlife Conservation Society in Rwanda. Additionally, he managed the Forest Landscape Restoration Program of the International Union for Conservation of Nature for East and Southern Africa. 

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In 1903, W.E.B. DuBois published one of the most seminal pieces of American literature, The Souls of Black Folk: Essays and Sketches, and wrote words that expressed the entanglement of nature’s beauty with racial injustice, “Herein the longing of Black men must have respect: the rich and bitter depth of their experience, the unknown treasures of their inner life, the strange rendings of nature they have seen, may give the world new points of view and make their loving, living, and doing precious to all human hearts.”
DuBois, one of the most unrecognized biophilic authors, and many other thought leaders, including Robert Bullard, the Father of Environmental Justice, spoke to how colonization, White supremacy and structural racism scarred the relationship between nature and wo[man] for generations of Black communities. However, these scholars also recognized the healing power of nature’s balm and despite persistent White Wilderness dogma or fallacies of Black environmental consciousness, the descendants of men and women “uprooted from [their] homeland and brought to a strange land” have always possessed a biophilia that may be unrecognized, unnoticed or even unknown. This presentation offered a more nuanced understanding of this biophilia, and also shared the story of how local activism is campaigning to remedy an environmental injustice, restore an Olmstedian parkway, and elevate Black biophilia in one American city.

Jennifer Roberts, PhD
Associate Professor, Kinesiology
University of Maryland, School of Public Health

Jennifer D. Roberts (she/her) is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Her scholarship focuses on the impact of built, social and natural environments, including the institutional and structural inequities of these environments, on physical activity and public health outcomes of marginalized communities. She is also the Executive Founding Director of the Wekesa Earth Center, Co-Founder/Co-Director of NatureRx@UMD, and Director of the Public Health Outcomes and Effects of the Built Environment (PHOEBE) Laboratory.

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Chukundi Salisbury Sr. walked every day for 272 days and was able to reverse his Type 2 Diabetes. Through a first-hand account, this session highlighted how walking in nature can be a powerful tool in reversing Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a significant health concern globally, but lifestyle changes, particularly regular exercise like walking, can make a profound impact. Nature has long been a source of solace and healing for humanity. In this session, Chukundi delved into why walking in natural settings is so beneficial. 

Chukundi Salisbury Sr.
Community Activist & Health Ambassador

Leading a self-described “Life of Service”, Chukundi grew up in the Central Area of Seattle, WA and participated in several programs at Miller Community Center and other organizations. He has a lifelong commitment to service as a volunteer, board member, employee, manager, small business owner, and participant.

He is the founder of Service is a Lifestyle, a 501©3 Non-Profit that has launched several community initiatives such as 100 Black Parents, URBVOTE (the Urban Vote Initiative), the “This House is Not for Sale Campaign” and the Black Legacy Homeowners Network (BLHO). As the Executive Director of the BLHO he has emerged as a leader around Black Homeowner Stabilization.

As a community volunteer he has served in many roles and boards, including Earthlab, Real Change Newspaper, YMCA Camping Services, Mothers for Police Accountability, Southeast Youth and Family Services, The African American Advisory to the Seattle Police Department, and the Central District Community Preservation & Development Authority (CDCPDA). He currently serves as the Immediate past President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Epsilon Epsilon Sigma Chapter in Seattle.

In 2020 Salisbury ran a grassroots campaign for State Representative in Washington’s 37th Legislative District and lost in the general election. While his campaign was unsuccessful, many of his ideas and campaign platform were adopted by others and eventually passed into law in Washington State.

In 2021 he launched the “Health is the Real Bag” campaign to focus on wellness after losing over 70 lbs and reversing his Type 2 Diabetes. After having Diabetes for over 10 years, he made a commitment to changing his life after turning 50. After gaining success for himself, he is now on a mission to educate others on how they can also walk away from diabetes.

In addition to his work around community health initiatives, Salisbury is a 27-year employee of the City of Seattle, where he works as a Manager for Parks and Recreation and serves as the founding director of the Youth Green Corps. He has served as the Trails Coordinator, Urban Food Systems Manager, Director of Camp Long, as well as a Recreation Center Coordinator at Garfield Community Center.

As an entrepreneur, he is the founder of SEASPOT Media Group, which is a marketing and publishing house. He is the Publisher of the Adventures of Lil Big Fella Comic Book and has owned several small businesses, including a nightclub and barbershop.

He is also a nationally known Disc Jockey who has performed locally and internationally at venues large and small.

Chukundi has a BS in Computer Science from Elizabeth City State University (NC) and is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Currently, he lives in Seattle, WA with his family: wife Michelle, 24-year-old daughter, Alma, and 18-year-old son, Chukundi Jr.

The National Nature Assessment will take an interdisciplinary approach to better understand the role of nature in the lives of people across the country, integrating science with traditional ways of knowing and the needs of communities. The assessment intends to take stock of what nature provides people through its inherent value, human well-being, economic value and more, and look ahead to understand how these benefits might change under future climate conditions. The assessment is expected to be released in 2026.

With decades of experience bridging scientific knowledge and on-the-ground action through an interdisciplinary lens, Phil Levin, PhD will guide the initiative as it creates a holistic picture of America’s lands, waters, wildlife and ecosystems — and the benefits they provide to both people and nature.  

Phil Levin, PhD
Director of the National Nature Assessment, White House Office of Science & Technology Policy
Professor of Practice, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington

Phil (he/him) is a conservation scientist who is interested in bridging the gaps between theory and practice and between social and natural sciences. The main focus of his current work is developing Interdisciplinary tools to inform conservation of marine, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Prior to joining the University of Washington, he was a Senior Scientist at NOAA Fisheries’ Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, WA, USA. He served as the scientific lead of NOAA’s Integrated Ecosystem Assessment efforts in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem and Puget Sound. In the course of this work, he led the development of new analytical tools for characterizing ecosystem health and forecasting the cumulative effects of coastal zone management and climate change on marine ecosystems.

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All children need opportunities and resources to participate in physical activities, sports, and outdoor recreation. Yet, only one in three children in the US are physically active every day. The more active you are as a child, the more likely you are to be active as an adult. The health benefits of childhood physical activity are seen not only in childhood but also later on in life. In this session, Dr. Tandon addressed the importance of nature for children’s health and her mission to ensure that outdoor experiences are not considered a luxury reserved for a few, but rather something that each of us needs and deserves.

Pooja Tandon, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, University of Washington Seattle
Researcher, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
Health Director, Trust for Public Land 

Dr. Pooja Tandon (she/her) is a pediatrician and researcher at the Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development at Seattle Children’s Research Institute and Assistant Professor at the University of Washington. Dr. Tandon attended Brown University for her undergraduate education and medical school, and completed residency training at the Boston Combined Program in Pediatrics (Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center). After working as a general pediatrician in academic and community settings, she completed a general pediatrics research fellowship and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree at the University of Washington. While she continues clinical practice, her research interests include studying and intervening on social and environmental determinants of children’s health, in particular childhood obesity. Her research has been funded by the American Heart Association, the Safeway Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Her current projects focus on studying the connection between outdoor play, physical activity and various health and development outcomes in preschool age children. She also co-leads national and international special interest groups focused on obesity prevention in the early childhood years.

Learn more about Dr. Tandon’s nature and health related projects:

• • Project Nature 
  • Leveraging Greener Schoolyards for Better Health
  • Advocacy for Equitable Recess in Washington State
  • TEDx Talk: The Power of Belonging in Nature
  • Digging into Nature: Outdoor Adventures for Happier and Healthier Kids

How will the densely-populated neighborhood of Tacoma Mall add shade and reduce pavement while also building more housing and upgrading other infrastructure? And how will these changes impact the people who live there? The Greening Research in Tacoma project (or G.R.I.T.) is an effort to understand more about how human health and increased greening intersect in South Tacoma. During this panel, participants heard from partners on this ground-breaking partnership and study. This discussion was moderated by Gregory Bratman, PhD, Director of Nature and Health.

• Mike Carey
  Urban Forest Program Manager, City of Tacoma
  Mike Carey (he/him) is the Urban Forest Program Manager with the City of Tacoma. Mike is a certified arborist with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture. His studies focused on restoration ecology and architecture. Mike has been working on developing “green infrastructure” for the City’s Environmental Services Department since 2011. As the Urban Forest Program Manager, Mike is responsible for managing programs and developing policy that enhance the City’s tree canopy cover.
• Ailene Ettinger, PhD
  Quantitative Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy, Washington
  Ailene (she/her) is the Quantitative Ecologist for The Nature Conservancy in Washington state. She is a global change ecologist and conservation biologist and typically uses field experiments, meta-analysis and rigorous quantitative analysis of community science, crowd-sourced, and professional datasets to understand species responses to and implications of global changes such as climate change and urbanization. She has broad interests and has worked in diverse systems ranging from urban forests, tropical bee communities in coffee farms and amphibians of suburban vernal pools to old growth forests, temperate alpine plants, and coastal sandplain grassland communities.
• Ryan Hebert, ISA Arborist, MS
  Urban Forestry Analyst, City of Tacoma
  Ryan (he/him) is an Urban Forestry Analyst, coming to Tacoma after four years of community development and reforestation work in Detroit where he helped plant thousands of trees, install green stormwater infrastructure, and establish the first tree nursery in the city since the late 1980s. Ryan’s work focuses on growing Tacoma’s tree canopy in an equitable way to reach our 30% canopy goal by 2030 (that’s 105,000 more trees!) He holds an MS in Applied Community & Economic Development from Illinois State University and a BS in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Growing up on Lake Michigan in the northwoods of Wisconsin (Go Pack!) and having lived on Lake Superior for a number of years in Duluth, MN, Ryan is excited to be back in a port town on a beautiful body of water. Outside of work you can likely find him out among the trees exploring the PNW, lifting heavy things and putting them down again, or reading a book by a fire with his dog.
• Olivia Hill
  Doctoral Student, Environment & Well-Being Lab, School of Environmental & Forest Sciences, University of Washington
  Olivia is a doctoral student with the EWB Lab and in the School of Environmental & Forest Sciences. Her research interests include: exploring the potential for nature exposure to improve quality of life for socially disadvantaged populations and those dealing with chronic health conditions; the nexus of climate change, access to natural/green spaces, and well-being; and the intersections between nature connectedness, ecological behavior, and well-being. Olivia received her B.A. from UC Berkeley and MPA from UW, and has worked in communications and energy/environmental consulting.