Research Station Will Explore How Bloedel’s Nature Affects Our Health

Ellie Wynter · Kitsap Sun · October 1, 2026

The University of Washington Center for Nature and Health is set to begin installation of a biological research station aimed to explore the connection between human health and physiological response to nature.

The station is planned for Bloedel Reserve, potentially set up as soon as December so researchers can better understand how nature and the outdoors affect our bodies, and our minds.

Bloedel Reserve, located on Bainbridge Island, is home to 140 acres of gardens, forests, meadows, and wetlands in addition to dozens of events and programs focused on health and healing in nature. In partnership with Bloedel Reserve, the research station will collect data on microbial communities, microclimate, natural soundscapes, and airborne particles.

“There are all sorts of things that reduce stress, reduce anxiety, reduce depression symptoms,” Josh Lawler, co-director of the UW Center of Nature and Health said. “So lots of different things have been linked to time spent outside in nature, and so what we want to do is measure some of the things that might be causing that. Like, what are the mechanistic pathways from being outside that lead to changes in our mind, changes in our bodies.”