Spring 2021 Community Dinner

During spring 2021 online community dinner, the Nature and Health community heard from four regional experts in the field of nature and health:
Howie Frumkin, MD
Emeritus professor
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
University of Washington School of Public Health

Jesús Aguirre
Superintendent
Seattle Parks

Amber Fyfe-Johnson, ND, PhD
Assistant Research Professor
Initiative for Research and Education to Advance Community Health (IREACH)
Elson S. 

Read more

The Seattle Times Opinion: Youth inactivity is its own health crisis

By Carla Santorno, Pooja S. Tandon, and Bookie Gates
“With most children going to school in front of computers without typical recess breaks, physical education, and youth sports programs, our region’s youth face another health crisis — one of physical inactivity.”
  

Read more

Beyond Inclusive Design: Creating a Welcoming, Accessible, Nature-Based Park

Public parks define our neighborhoods and shape our communities, yet too few are holistically designed to be inclusive and even fewer in a nature-based setting. On February 10, 2021, founders of The Eli’s Park Project shared their roles in designing a welcoming, accessible and nature-based park for all at Burke-Gilman Playground Park in Seattle. 

Read more

Community Highlight: Wild Grief Virtual Hike Habits

Wild Grief Virtual Hike Habits are an opportunity to come together for grief peer support and nature connection from the comfort of your own home.
This Virtual Hike Habit will start with an opening circle via video chat, similar to the opening circle on our in-person hikes. 

Click here to register!

Nature and Health Announces New Annual Award

The Nature and Health Wins award recognizes individuals, communities, and organizations for their commitment to anti-racism, equity, nature, and health. Through the generosity of a donor, there will be funds to support future awardees. 

Learn more about the winners

SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS WITH BIPOC COMMUNITIES FEATURING CHEVON POWELL AND FLORENCE “FLO” SUM

Chevon Powell (she/her) is the founder of Golden Bricks Events (GBE). In 2018 GBE repositioned to focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the outdoors through consulting, event management, and ownership of signature events such as the Refuge Outdoor Festival—an annual outdoor recreation camping experience geared toward Black, Indigenous, People of Color. 

Read more

Crosscut: How to Avoid Cabin Fever in WA’s Pandemic Winter

With each passing month, more and more Washingtonians are suffering under the physical, emotional and financial damages of enduring a lengthy pandemic. And as we find ourselves in the coldest, darkest days of the year during the worst-case surge yet, it can feel like a herculean task just to take a daily walk around the block. 

Continue reading at Crosscut

Nature and Health Equity and Racial Justice Task Force

Naheed Gina Aaftaab, Sara Breslow, Sean M. Watts, and Isabel Carrera Zamanillo join the Nature and Health Equity and Racial Justice Task Force to build and strengthen our scholarly transdisciplinary relationships. 

Read more

Public Lands in Public Hands: Innovations in Outdoor Recreation Science and Stewardship

On December 2, 2020, four regional experts shared their wisdom with the Nature and Health community. This session explored innovative research and stewardship aimed at creating sustainable, welcoming, and well-maintained recreation opportunities for everyone to enjoy public lands. 

Read more

We Need a National Institute of Climate Change and Health

Howard Frumkin and Richard J. Jackson · Scientific American · November 22, 2020
Howard is a Nature and Health researcher and Steering Committee member
The climate catastrophes of 2020—wildfires, hurricanes, oppressive heat—left no doubt that climate change threatens health. 

Continue reading at Scientific American