Research Nature and Health

This chapter includes organizations, researchers, documents and databases regarding research(with English content as default or otherwise the language is mentioned).

Researchers / Research organizations:

- Cost E39 Action : The main objective of the Action is to increase the knowledge about the contribution that forests, trees and natural places make, and might make, to the health and wellbeing of people in Europe. The benefit will be a better understanding and improved description and evaluation of processes and pathways linking forests to human health and well being.

- Alterra : Alterra is a Dutch knowledge institute of the green environment. The institute assembles knowledge of the green environment in combination with sustainable use.

- Berg, Agnes van den (NL): is involved in education and research regarding environmental psychology with the emphasis on the effects of nature on health issues.

- Frumkin, Howard : American professor environment and health research.

- Hartig, Terry : is Associate Professor in Applied Psychology

- Nivel (for English click on E flag): NIVEL is the Dutch institute for research of health care. Nivel is also active in applied policy research for policy makers in health care.

- RMNO (click on English): The Advisory council for research on spatial planning, nature and the environment (RMNO) is a so called sectoral council, established in 1981. Sectoral councils give advise to the government on research into problems in a specific sector of society. The RMNO advises on the content and organisation of research on environmental issues on the mid-long term; spatial planning, nature conservation and landscape conservation issues included.

- OPENspace research is concerned with inclusive access to outdoor environments for everyone; for disabled people, for minority ethnic groups, for children and young people and their carers, for older people and for economically or socially disadvantaged groups. OPENspace has an international reputation as a leading research centre, able to address policy level and strategic research needs and provide advice for a range of government funded agencies and professional groups.

- Elisabeth Nisbet has developed the Nature relatedness (NR) concept which describes individual levels of connectedness with the natural world.

- Virginia Lohr does research on impacts of plants on people (also called "human issues in horticulture").

Documents:

- Country report E39 Nederland: Describes health policy in the Netherlands and gives summaries of research regarding nature and health. This report is a part of the European Cost E39 project.

- Green is good for you : Psychologists' research explains the mental and physical restoration we get from nature--and has important implications for how we build our homes, work environments and cities.

- Healthy parks healthy people : The health benefits of contact with nature in a park context.

Databases:

- Human Health and Nature Clearinghouse : The NiCHE clearinghouse is an on-line database of findings on the human health benefits of contact with nature. As an international dialogue, the purpose of the database is to create a source of findings for innovative project information for heath practitioners, open space managers, policy makers and researchers. While intending to stimulate further research relating to the connection between human health and the natural environment, the clearinghouse aims to encourage the development of networks and collaborative partnerships.

- The Therapeutic Landscapes Resource Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing information to the public about restorative landscapes, healing gardens, wellness gardens, and other research-based healthcare design