The last five years have been marked with advancement in knowledge and dissemination mostly in the area of how to study the impact of nature (methodology), facilities and urban design that incorporates green space, and empirically proving that elements of nature can improve mental and physical health. As we head into the next three years, with a solid and informed strategic plan, we expect to continue our track record of disseminating knowledge while focusing on two implementation projects (ParkRx and the Healing Garden at Houston Methodist), which are designed to serve as both a laboratory of more rigorous research and a vehicle towards new environmental sustainability behaviors amongst both individuals, institutions and industry.

The impact of our work at the CHN is expected to go beyond sharing practice and policy implications with the public; we are expecting to make an impact of health and environmental sustainability behaviors, behaviors that will not only improve our health but also preserve and enhance our environment, our green space, and our most valuable medicine, nature. We passionately work towards making “Health for All Through Nature” a reality for Americans.