The Giant Power of Tiny Parks

Anna Rogers · Mother Jones · October 9, 2026
Featuring Kathy Wolf, Center researcher

A velvety butterfly called the coastal green hairstreak once peppered the fog-capped hills of San Francisco. But then the city began to build out, and new structures fractured the jewel-toned insect’s native range. 

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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. 

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Seattle is full of ‘blue spaces’ — here’s the science behind it

Nicole Pasia · Seattle Times · August 20, 2026
Featuring Gregory Bratman, Center co-director

Earth is nicknamed the blue planet for good reason. Nearly three-quarters of the planet’s surface is covered in water, the very stuff our bodies need to survive. 

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Nature Buoy

ASHLEY ABRAMSON · Windsor News · July 29, 2026
Featuring Gregory Bratman, Center co-director

Spend­ing time in or near nature has many poten­tial bene­fits. A 2021 review found that being in nature (espe­cially while enga­ging in phys­ical activ­ity) is linked to improved car­di­ovas­cu­lar health, lower blood pres­sure and reduced risk factors for chronic dis­eases like Type 2 diabetes. 

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The Government Canceled This Nature Study. Scientists Kept Going Anyway.

Neha Pathak · Yale Climate Connections · July 24, 2026
Featuring Dr. Howard Frumkin, Center researcher

Most of us sense it without being told why: A walk in the woods or an hour in the park leaves us calmer, clearer, and restored. 

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Federal Agencies Study New Methods for Monitoring Recreation on Public Lands

Rachel Cohen · KUNC · July 8, 2026
Featuring Spencer Wood, Center researcher

Last year, Congress passed the EXPLORE Act, a package of measures to boost outdoor recreation access as record numbers participate in outdoor activities. 

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Why Kids Should ‘Take Your Brain Out’ This Summer

Colorado Parent · June 24, 2026
Featuring Dr. Pooja Tandon, Center advisor and researcher

Generation Wild, a movement from Great Outdoors Colorado that works to connect kids with the outdoors, today launched ‘Take Your Brain Out,’ an initiative aimed at offsetting the effects caused by screens on kids’ brains. 

Read more at Colorado Parent

Generation Wild Encourages Northern Colorado Families to Get Kids Outdoors This Summer

North Forty News · June 9, 2026
Featuring Dr. Pooja Tandon, Center advisor and researcher

“Time spent in nature is restorative for the brain, helps with emotional regulation, improves mental and physical health, reduces symptoms of ADHD, and can have benefits for sleep and memory,” said Dr. 

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The Surprising Science-Backed Reason Being in Nature Makes You Feel Good

Ashley Abramson · June 5, 2026
Featuring Gregory Bratman, PhD, the Center’s co-director

Spending time in or near nature has many potential benefits. A 2021 review found that being in nature (especially while engaging in physical activity) is linked to improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure and reduced risk factors for chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes. 

Read more at The Washington Post

Cities Are Investing Tax Dollars … On Trees. Here’s Why It Works

Caleigh Wells · May 19, 2026
Featuring Kathy Woldf, PhD, member of the Center’s Research Collaborative and Coalition

“If you wind all that up across a full population and entire city, then you start to see the benefit of these tree-planting programs,” said Kathleen Wolf, research social scientist at the University of Washington. 

Read more at Marketplace