“Take care of the forest and the forest will take care of you” – Southern Group of State Foresters
Urban forests play an important, multifaceted role in maintaining and improving the environmental conditions of cities, as well as contribute to the health of the people that live there. Since more than 80% of Virginians live in urbanized areas, it is increasingly important to invest in and take care of these forests.
Networks of trees and community forests can contribute to improved human health outcomes, overall well-being, and quality of life in urban environments. Numerous studies have found relationships between human exposure to urban forests and associated human mental and physical health benefits.
As a response to the increased research findings pertaining to the relationship between trees and human health, the Southern Group of State Foresters launched the campaign “Healthy Trees Healthy Lives” to promote this research nationwide.
Did you Know?
- People are three times more likely to achieve recommended levels of activity when exercising in treescapes.
- Higher tree density can decrease risk of childhood obesity by 12%.
- Treescapes reduce the risk of dying from several common causes of death — including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases — by between 8-12%.
- Cardiovascular disease is 1.5 times greater for individuals living greater than two blocks away from a park.
- A 1% increase in proportional nearby usable greenspace equals a 4% decrease in rate of anxiety/mood disorder treatment.
- Dementia patients with access to treed “wander gardens” reduced falls by 30% and medications by 10%.
- 10% increase of urban tree canopy within a mother’s neighborhood decreases small gestational age births by 1.42 per 1000 and increases birthweights up to 15g.
Additional Resources
- Explore more about the benefits of trees and the initiative “Healthy Trees Healthy Lives”.
- Learn more about how planting trees reduces urban heat islands.
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