New Ecology for Heath report forges tighter connections between human and ecological health
Nov 17, 2023
In KneeDeep Times, Nate Seltenrich reflects on the release of SFEI's latest report:
The same features in urban parks that support biodiversity can also benefit human health. Even biodiversity itself may help us — and the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) wants to see more of it. To that end, the nonprofit released an innovative report in September called Ecology for Health. It’s a practical guide for planners and designers to aid both biodiversity and human health in urban settings.
The article describes the many ways that the guide seeks to advance our understanding of the intimate connections between people and their natural world. The guide operates on different scales -- urban planning, site design, and detailed design -- to influence the ways that urban spaces enhance biodiversity and support human health.
By:
Nate Seltenrich
Associated Staff:
Other Contributors:
Joe Burg
Bronwen Stanford
Brandon Herman
Stephanie Panlasigui
Programs and Focus Areas:
Urban Nature Lab
Related Projects, News, and Events:
Ecology for Health (Project)
The Ecology for Health guide is based on an extensive review of ecological literature on the potential of cities to support native plants and wildlife, as well as research exploring the health benefits of access to biodiverse greenspace. Anyone making decisions about land use and urban design in cities across the world can benefit from the recommendations in this guide (including community-based organizations, local non-profits, local leaders and policymakers, city planners, urban designers, landscape architects, engineers, gardeners/horticulturists/arborists, residents, and landowners).