Episode 19 - Intersecting Ecological and Human Health with Kathleen Wolf
In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a Dr. Kathleen Wolf, researcher and social scientist specializing in the intersection of nature and human health and wellbeing. Dr. Wolf focused her research on the human dimensions of urban forestry and urban green space, in particular studying nearby nature experiences and human health response. She has numerous publications to her name, aimed at building better knowledge of the social and psychological benefits that city trees and nearby nature provide, and sharing that across non-traditional audiences, including business, public health, medicine, and urban planning. Today, although semi-retired she continues to be active in research and science outreach, looking at ways in which the human experience is enhanced through the natural systems around us. Join us for a conversation on how human health responds to the natural world, and the ways in which we can incorporate those impacts into our design process.
Guest
Dr. Kathleen Wolf
University of Washington
Dr. Kathleen Wolf is a Research Social Scientist at the College of the Environment, University of Washington, and a key collaborator with the US Forest Service Pacific NW Research Station on urban forestry studies. Dr. Wolf’s research explores the human dimensions of urban ecosystems. She has also worked professionally as a landscape architect and as an environmental planner. Kathy’s professional mission is to discover, understand and communicate human behavior and benefits, as people experience nature in cities and towns. She has served with national organizations that promote nature in cities, such as the Transportation Research Board national committee on Landscape and Environment, and the Sustainable Sites Initiative.
Host
Steven Peck, GRP, HASLA
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
Steven spearheaded the first green roof demonstration project on Toronto City Hall 20 years ago and the mandatory green roof policy in Toronto a decade ago. This innovative policy has resulted in more than 6 million additional square feet of green space across the city. Due to Steven’s work, GRHC has helped to win green roof policy victories in San Francisco, Washington, DC; Portland, Oregon; and Denver, Colorado. Steven also founded Green Infrastructure Ontario coalition to bring together organizations that share an interest in the protection and development of green infrastructure in Ontario. In 2007 he co-founded the World Green Infrastructure Network, an international organization that promotes the use of green infrastructure around the world.
