Mental health and wellbeing from nature connection in cities

Mental health and wellbeing from nature connection in cities

There is increasing evidence that people’s health and wellbeing are positively linked to access to green and blue spaces, and opportunities for nature connection. Yet this is becoming more challenging in our higher density cities and urban environments.

• What is the evidence connecting nature to mental health and wellbeing?

• How do we design our cities to enable nature connection for urban residents?

• Where has this worked and what can we learn to enhance community wellbeing?

Chaired by Lucy Brogden AM, Member of Smart Green Cities Advisory Panel and Independent Board Member at Corporate Mental Health Alliance, this industry event will bring together professionals across academia, community not for profits, government and industry. A networking morning tea will be provided.

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AGENDA

Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country

Part 1: What we know

A multi-disciplinary perspective: Professor Maria Kangas (Psychological Sciences) and Associate Professor Peter Davies (Sustainability and Urban Planning)

Professor Thomas Astell-Burt is the Professor of Cities and Planetary Health at the University of Sydney. He is an ARC Future Fellow in Nature-Based Solutions for Loneliness, and Co-Director of PowerLab. His research interests lie at the interface between population, wellbeing and environmental studies.

Dr Gweneth Leigh is a landscape architect and Research Fellow at the Health Research Institute at the University of Canberra. Her work focuses on the impact of the built environment on community health and behaviour. Her current research focuses on how the design of outdoor spaces - particularly secondary schoolyards, can better meet the wellbeing needs of adolescents.

Interactive Panel Discussion

Morning tea

Part 2: What is working and what can we learn to strengthen mental resilience and wellbeing?

Waminda Parker is the founder, strategist and planner at Nature Fix. Nature Fix is a social enterprise connecting communities and nature.

Lis Bastian leads the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative.  This program supports local action to restore the health of our natural systems and support community health, wellbeing, resilience and hope in the face of climate change and increasing natural disasters.

Yvette Andrews is the Strategy and Engagement Manager at Resilient Sydney. Resilient Sydney is developing a new resilience strategy for Sydney (2025-2030) founded on a comprehensive research and engagement strategy. Preliminary work has  revealed numerous stress points for people and institutions, underscoring the importance of wellbeing.

Duncan Wakes-Miller and colleagues from Bushlink Org are dedicated to creating valued employment opportunities with people with a disability through a network of environmental project teams.

Eric McCoy and Jane Petrolo from The Happy Hens, a community gardening-based organisation focusing on enhancing community engagement and sustainability.

Interactive Panel Discussion

Concluding comments