Nature and Wellness: Why Everyone Needs Access to Green Spaces.

By: Kisten Iverson and Adela Ramos.

“Trees are good for your health.” This is a fact that we, at the Tacoma Tree Foundation, often share with our supporters, as do most organizations in our line of work. Yet, it is uttered so often and widely that it is at risk of becoming commonplace. Yes, trees and access to green spaces improve our health and wellness. But how and why? And what are the ramifications of access to green spaces–or lack thereof–for individuals and communities? To better understand the correlation between green spaces and health, we’ve been researching for answers. In this blog post, Kirsten Iverson, a PLU Environmental Studies major and Tacoma Tree Foundation intern, shares some of our findings.

When we imagine access to green space, we might be inclined to picture ourselves walking in a park or the woods in search of some breathing space. Walking alone in nature is certainly a restorative practice that allows us to reconnect with ourselves and our environment. In addition, though, a solitary walk where we can appreciate trees, flowers, and other plants often allows us to return to our homes, workplaces, and communities feeling ready to engage with others. This dynamic, where time in nature benefits both our personal wellbeing and relationships with others is an example of how intimately personal health and community health are entwined. The research we have conducted shows that this interconnection is one of the crucial reasons why trees are good not just for you--for all of us.

SENCO’s 72nd and S. D Street Mural and Green Space Project is a great example of how creating and access green spaces is good for individuals and communities. Photo Credit: Julia Wolf.

Access to green spaces impacts every stage of our lives: from when we first start school, to the connections we make in our communities during adulthood, to our ability to remain healthy in our later years. Research conducted on the impact of access to green spaces in school-age children found that the proximity that urban schools have to green spaces can be a determining factor of academic performance. There is a significant positive association between green spaces at school and better grades on English and math exams. This essentially means that more trees equal better grades! Why? Natural spaces impact many areas of neurological and emotional development. Children with access to natural spaces are better able to “escape stress, focus, build competence, and form supportive social groups” (McCormick 2017).

SOTA students volunteering at the TTF and American Forests planting at Roosevelt Park this past February. Photo Credit: Julia Wolf.

These are key factors for the healthy development of children. However, the benefits are not limited to children. Rather, the academic wellbeing of children positively impacts the communities they live in, just as greening schools impacts neighboring communities by giving them access to all of the benefits of trees.

Having access to green spaces is critical to community development. In particular, access to green spaces allows individuals to feel less lonely and more connected to their communities by improving networks of social support (Maas et al. 2009). According to a study published in 2020, communities displayed higher levels of engagement with nature throughout COVID-19 lockdowns (Hessek and Bhandari). The study explained that time spent outdoors creates “a sense of community, belonging, shared purpose, and reduced isolation,” all of which are critical to longterm community health. This finding is corroborated in studies focused on specific communities, such as older adults living in poverty in what had been barren inner-city neighborhoods. Adults who were able to engage in the greening by planting trees in common spaces experienced a greater sense of community and improved social ties (Sullivan 2019). Planting trees resulted in more lively and socially supportive neighborhoods. This was found to be especially beneficial for children, the elderly, and groups with lower socioeconomic opportunities.

A team of volunteers planting trees at our Hilltop tree share in collaboration with Peace Lutheran and the Shalom Project in February 2024. Photo Credit: Julia Wolf.

Conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety can all have negative effects on a person’s quality of life, and green spaces have been shown to improve the mental well-being of adults with feelings of depression and low self-worth (South et al. 2018). This is partly due to how physical activity plays a role in facilitating neuroplasticity, which helps, for instance, in PTSD recovery (McCormick 2017). One study found that individuals with higher percentages of green space in their neighborhoods were less prone to psychiatric morbidities, and even spending just 20 minutes in nature reduces stress levels (Maas et al. 2009). 

Ultimately, all of these factors mean that our longterm health is drastically impacted by access to green spaces. The life expectancy of elderly individuals is directly linked to the individual’s satisfaction with their community and the desire to continue living in it (Takano et al.  2002). Their ability to access green spaces correlates with their ability to enjoy the places where they live.

Life expectancy is also related to an individual’s ability to go on walks near their residence, which is in turn, connected to the concentration of parks and tree-lined streets nearby. In at least one study, the probability of five-year survival among the elderly participants was directly related to these factors independent of various other characteristics (age, sex, socioeconomic status, etc.).

You might now be wondering how you can implement this new knowledge to help yourself and your community. Well, making sure that you are spending time outdoors is an important first step:

• Just 20 minutes outdoors on a daily basis can improve your mental wellbeing.

• Find a walking buddy and schedule a regular walk around your workplace, school, or home.

• Although access to parks or forested areas is ideal, practicing mindfulness does not require much more than being able to spend time on a sidewalk and appreciate shrubs, flowers, trees, the sky, wind, and natural light.

• We are working hard to make access to these opportunities easier for everyone in Tacoma. Join one of our free walks or plant a tree! Just take a look at our calendar or subscribe to our newsletter to learn about upcoming opportunities.

Jaala Smith (TTF Planting Coordinator) and Maribel Galván (Director of Art and Culture, Mi Centro) finding joy with trees. Photo Credit: Julia Wolf.