Science is increasingly recognizing the advantages of spending time in nature, even if it’s just half an hour in the park at lunch.

A growing body of research shows the mental and physical benefits of green spaces, including reduced stress and depression, better immunity and improved work performance.

Our guest on this episode of the Sauropodcast will help us understand the importance of nearby nature.Kathleen Wolf, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized expert in urban forestry and green infrastructure. She’s a research social scientist with the University of Washington's College of the Environment in Seattle, and has a joint appointment with the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station.

Dr. Wolf’s website, Green Cities: Good Health, summarizes a variety of studies that show how experiencing nature improves human health and well-being.