Science is a process of inquiry, often funded to provide answers for the important questions of society. Research outreach is the process of interpreting scientific results and preparing products that are available to the general public.

Some labs and organizations have prepared high quality summaries of studies about the human health and well being benefits provided by urban trees and nature. Below are web links and access information for such documents.

Note: Some of the facts reports are specific to a city or region, some are national in scope. Consider the circumstances of the studies, study sites, or report authors when deciding on the relevance of the studies to your audience.

Landscape and Human Health Laboratory (University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign) link

This web site features the results of a research program conducted by a science team dedicated to studying the connection between greenery and human health. The multidisciplinary research laboratory has produced some landmark findings. The site addresses the following topics: safety, crime, violence, and aggression; strength of community; well being, coping, vitality, attention, executive functions, self-control, and learning. Available materials include fact sheets, professional publications, and scientific articles.

Human Dimensions of Urban Greening and Urban Forestry (University of Washington, Seattle) link

This web site features the results of a research program on people’s perceptions and behaviors regarding nature in cities. The site addresses the following topics: nature and consumer environments, trees and transportation, civic ecology, and policy and planning. Available materials include fact sheets, professional publications, and scientific articles.

How Cities Use Parks for . . . .  A Series of Briefing Papers by the American Planning Association link

This web site features a series of briefings that have been prepared by a team of collaborating experts. The flyers summarize the array of benefits that healthy city parks provide. Topics include: community revitalization, community engagement, economic development, safer neighborhoods, green infrastructure, children and learning, improve public health, arts and cultural programs, promoting tourism, smart growth, and climate change management.

Casey Tree Foundation: The Case for Trees & Growing a Healthier D.C. link1, link2

The Casey Tree Foundation is a nonprofit organization working to increase canopy cover in Washington, D.C. The Case for Trees web page features a series of short summaries about research on the importance of trees to city life. Topics include: air quality, water quality and runoff, economic growth, crime and anxiety, community life, summer heat, and well-being.

A second web page contains links to PDF documents on the impact of green infrastructure on various aspects of D.C. city life: neighborhoods, streets, parks, schools, business districts, parking lots, residences, and jobs. The briefings include environmental, social and economic benefits.

Trust for Public Land: White Papers on City Parks Benefits link 1, link2

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, community gardens, historic sites, rural lands, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. TPL has published a series of issue papers in support of conservation programs. Two white papers describe urban open space benefits. The first - Benefits of Parks - is a broad look at social, environmental, economic and health benefits. The second - The Health Benefits of Parks: How Parks Help Keep Americans and Their Communities Fit and Healthy - draws from the latest research to outline ways in which parks support and promote healthy urban lifestyles.

Local Government Commission link

The brochure, Livable Communities and Urban Forests, reports on a range of community benefits, from economic development to public health and safety. It is written in a format to appeal to local government elected officials and decision makers.

Home Depot Foundation link

The Home Depot Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to affordable housing for working families, and to sustainable community development (promoted by Neighborwoods programs and the Green Cities Institute). The foundation provides information on the role trees play in healthy communities. Publications include information on economics, community, education, and health. The “Stronger, Healthier Cities through Trees” series includes case studies on how selected cities are working to incorporate trees.

Sacramento Tree Foundation link

The Sacramento Tree Foundation is a community-based nonprofit working to build the Sacramento (CA) urban forest, and improve regional programs using a collaborative GreenPrint approach. The Foundation’s website summarizes research on the social, psychological and community benefits of urban greening, and includes links to PDF files from other sources. Topics include: girls and greenery, canopy and crime, vegetation and violence, kids and concentration, neighbors and nature, and plants and poverty.

Urban Forestry South Expo Bulletins link1, link2

The Urban Forestry South Expo provides support to urban and community forestry programs in the southeastern United States, but its products are relevant to other urban regions. The website contains an overview of the benefits of trees in Power Point and PDF formats. High quality booklets are available for printing and redistribution. A second page on the site includes a technical bulletin on the influence of trees on inner city children.

Children & Nature Network link

The Children & Nature Network is a nonprofit organization that supports those who work to reconnect children with nature. One page of the network website tracks recent research on the influence of nature on children, including social benefits. Study abstracts are provided; associated articles are available through full text links or PDF document downloads.

Evergreen: Learning Grounds link

Evergreen is a nonprofit organization working to make Canada’s cities more livable by deepening the connection between people and nature. Learning Grounds is one program, dedicated to transforming the outdoor landscape of Canada's schools. Web links directs you to research studies regarding the effects of urban greening on children in Canada. Full text PDF files are available.

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization: Urban Forestry Community link

The FAO is a neutral forum for international food security issues. One project is an informational program on Forests and Trees for Healthy Cities, which brings together people across the globe to promote urban greening. This website tracks international research on the social benefits of trees in cities. Full text PDF files are available, as well as summaries.

Forest Research: Health and Well-Being link1, link2

Forest Research is a research agency of the Forestry Commission, which is a government department responsible for the protection and expansion of Britain's forests and woodlands. The Commission conducts research and informs policy about forestry and woodlands management. The website on social research presents information about a range of benefits. Research papers on social science in forestry, and the role of social science in decision making are available in PDF form. A second page outlines current research and compiles a number of publications on the role of trees in human health and well being. High quality PDF brochures are available on the link between natural environments and human health.

Northwest Public Health: Health and the Built Environment link

Northwest Public Health is a journal on public health issues in the Pacific Northwest. The website discusses the effects of the built environment on human health. Links to research studies are provided, along with summaries. Topics include the precautionary principle, the role of the natural environment in healing, daylighting in schools and other settings, building healthy communities, transportation, and urban density, sprawl and land use planning. Many, but not all, of the studies are based in the Pacific Northwest.