Across the ages, people have had intuitions about the health-promoting qualities of trees and forests. Today there are thousands of studies about how the experience of trees and nearby nature can promote wellness and provide therapeutic experiences. The evidence extends to entire neighborhoods and communities. Yes, trees are beautiful, but they also provide profoundly important benefits to all who live near them. Dr. Wolf will share the highlights from decades of research, providing compelling reasons why community investments in trees pay off in so many ways

Dr. Kathleen Wolf is a Research Social Scientist (retired, affiliate) at the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington. Following early career positions as a biologist, environmental planner and landscape architect she completed her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan. She then implemented a multi-decade research program at the University of Washington to investigate human response to outdoor spaces in cities, using theory and methods of environmental psychology. She was also research associate with the US Forest Service Pacific NW Research Station collaborating on studies of social dimensions of urban forestry and ecosystems. Her research has spanned multiple disciplines and collaborations; publications include journals focusing on urban forestry, psychology, transportation, urban planning, marketing and public health. Dr. Wolf's mission is to discover, understand and communicate human behavior and benefits, as people experience nature in cities and towns. Kathy is committed to science translation and outreach and actively shares research at www.naturewithin.info; and the Green Cities: Good Health project at: www.greenhealth.washington.edu