ASLA 2022 Conference on Landscape Architecture Recap: The Children’s Outdoor Environments PPN Campfire Session on Trauma Responsive Design
Kat Lewis, ASLA – Moderator
Amy Wagenfeld, Affil. ASLA – Campfire Lead
Lisa Casey, ASLA – Campfire Facilitator
Chad Kennedy, ASLA – Campfire Facilitator
The Children’s Outdoor Environments Professional Practice Network (PPN) hosted their campfire session on Saturday afternoon of the conference. PPN leaders were joined by an enthusiastic group of around twenty individuals who participated in the discussion. Our session was opened by Kat, who gave a brief overview of the purpose, with the focus not being on a single solution but to explore the complexity and considerations of trauma responsive design. But first, we needed to establish that there is no clear definition of trauma responsive design and little to no evidence-based research to support it, but there needs to be!
Amy and Lisa went through a series of questions about what trauma is, and whether there is a difference between childhood and adult trauma to engage the group and get the conversation going. They went on to talk about stress and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how toxic stress feeds ACEs and collectively changes the child’s brain structure and negatively alters their development.
This became a call to action that launched into some brainstorming about landscape architects partnering with healthcare professionals to study the impact of landscape projects on reducing the impacts of child trauma.
We had a strong turnout for this discussion and there were many interested in joining or learning more about the Children’s Outdoor Environments PPN. Even if you were not able to join us in San Francisco, we encourage you to join the Children’s Outdoor Environments PPN and considering becoming a PPN leader.
Children, Nature, and Health Reference List
At our campfire session, it came up in conversation that having a list of child and nature-focused articles would be helpful. What follows is a reference list organized by topic (some articles appear in multiple sections). It is intended to be representative of recent and seminal publications and by no means covers all the amazing literature that has been published, so let’s think of this list as an evolving resource. Please share your favorite articles in the comments section and we will keep the list growing. We plan to add an expanded version to the PPN’s Resources webpage in the future.
If you cannot read an article online, or do not have easy access to the articles you are interested in reading via a university library, your local community library and helpful librarians should be able to get them for you.
Another phenomenal resource is the Children & Nature Network’s Research Library. You cannot download articles, but there are terrific summaries for you to use as a means to sort out which articles you ultimately want full copies of.
Happy reading and learning from the COE PPN leadership team!
General Health and Wellness
Kuo, M. (2015). How might contact with nature promote human health? Promising mechanisms and a possible central pathway. Frontiers in Psychology, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01093
Mitchell, R., & Popham, F. (2008). Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: An observational population study. The Lancet, 372, 1655–1660. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61689-X
Soga, M., Evans, M.J., Tsuchiya, K., Fukano, Y. (2020). A room with a green view: The importance of nearby nature during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ecological Applications, 31(2). E2248. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2248
Wilson, E.O. (1984). Biophilia. Harvard University Press.
Physical and Physiological Health
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2007). Active healthy living: Prevention of childhood obesity through increased physical activity.
American Public Health Association (2014). Improving health and wellness through access to nature.
Bates, C. R., Bohnert, A. M., & Gerstein, D. E. (2018). Green schoolyards in low-income urban neighborhoods: Natural spaces for positive youth development outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 805. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00805
Gray, C., Gibbons, R., Larouche, R., Sandseter, E., Bienenstock, A., Brussoni, M., Chabot, G., Herrington, S., Janssen, I., Pickett, W., Power, M., Stanger, N., Sampson, M., & Tremblay, M. (2015). What is the relationship between outdoor time and physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and physical fitness in children? A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(6), 6455–6474. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120606455
Hall, C. R., & Knuth, M. J. (2019). An update of the literature supporting the well-being benefits of plants: Part 2 Physiological health benefits. Journal of Environmental Horticulture, 37(2), 63-73. https://doi.org/10.24266/0738-2898-37.2.63
He, M., Xiang, F., Zeng, Y., Mai, J., Chen, Q., Zhang, J., & Morgan, I.G. (2015). Effect of time spent outdoors at school on the development of myopia among children in China: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 314(11), 1142–1148. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.10803
Kuo, F. E., & Faber Taylor, A. (2004). A potential natural treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health, 94, 1580-1586. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.94.9.1580
Lovasi, G.S., Schwartz-Soicher, O., Quinn, J.W., Berger, D.K., Neckerman, K.M., Jaslow, R., & Rundle, A. (2013). Neighborhood safety and green space as predictors of obesity among preschool children from low income families in New York City. Preventive Medicine, 57(3),189–193. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.05.012
Lovasi, G.S., Quinn, J.W., Neckerman, K.M., Perzanowski, M.S., & Rundle, A. (2008). Children living in areas with more street trees have lower prevalence of asthma. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 62, 647–649. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2007.071894
Mitchell, R. (2013). Is physical activity in natural environments better for mental health than physical activity in other environments? Social Science and Medicine, 91, 130–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.04.012
Skala, K.A.; Springer, A.E.; Sharma, S.V; Hoelscher, D.M., & Kelder, S.H. (2012). Environmental characteristics and student physical activity in PE class: Findings from two large urban areas of Texas. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 9, 481–491. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.9.4.481
Ulrich, R. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery.
Science, 224, 420–421. https://doi.org/0.1126/science.6143402
Utter, J., Denny, S., & Dyson, B. (2016). School gardens and adolescent nutrition and BMI: Results from a national, multilevel study. Preventive Medicine, 83, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.11.022
Mental Health
Akpinar, A. (2016). How is high school greenness related to students’ restoration and
health? Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 16, 1–8. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2016.01.007
Amoly, E., Dadvand, P., López-Vicente, M., Basagana, V., Julvez, J., Alvarez-Pedrerol, M., … Sunyer, J. (2014). Green and blue spaces and behavioral development in Barcelona schoolchildren: the BREATHE Project. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(12),1351–1358. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408215
Appleton, J. (1975/1996) The Experience of Landscape, rev edn. Wiley.
Bates, C. R., Bohnert, A. M., & Gerstein, D. E. (2018). Green schoolyards in low-income urban neighborhoods: Natural spaces for positive youth development outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 805. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00805
Chiumento, A., Mukherjee, I., Chandna, J., Dutton, C., Rahman, A., & Bristow, K. (2018). A haven of green space: Learning from a pilot pre-post evaluation of a school-based social and therapeutic horticulture intervention with children. BMC Public Health, 18(1), 836. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5661-9
Dopko, R. L., Capaldi, C. A., & Zelenski, J. M. (2019). The psychological and social benefits of a nature experience for children: A preliminary investigation. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 63, 134–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.05.002
Engermann, K., Bøcker Pedersen, C., Arge, L., Tsirogiannis, C., Mortensen, P. B., & Svenning, J.-C. (2019). Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America, 1–6.
Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
Markevych, I., Teisler, C., Fuertes, E., Romanos, M., Dadvand, P., Nieuwenhuijsen, M., … Heinrich, J. (2014). Access to urban green spaces and behavioural problems in children. Environment International, 71, 29–35. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2014.06.002
McCormick, R. (2017). Does access to green space impact the mental well-being of children: A systematic review. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 37, 3–7. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2017.08.027
Meidenbauer, K. L., Stenfors, C. U. D., Bratman, G. N., Gross, J. J., Schertz, K. E., Choe, K. W., & Berman, M. G. (2020). The affective benefits of nature exposure: What’s nature got to do with it? Journal of Environmental Psychology, 72, 101498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2020.101498
Mitchell, R. (2013). Is physical activity in natural environments better for mental health than physical activity in other environments? Social Science and Medicine, 91, 130–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.04.012
Nedovic, S., Morrissey, A.M. (2013). Calm active and focused: Children’s responses to an organic outdoor learning environment. Learning and Environments Research, 16, 281–295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-013-9127-9
Preuß, M., Nieuwenhuijsen, M., Marquez, S., Cirach, M., Dadvand, P., Triguero-Mas, M., Gidlow, C., Grazuleviciene, R., Kruize, H., & Zijlema, W. (2019). Low childhood nature exposure is associated with worse mental health in adulthood. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(10), 1809. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101809
Scott, J. T., Kilmer, R. P., Wang, C., Cook, J. R., & Haber, M. G. (2018). Natural environments near schools: Potential benefits for socio‐emotional and behavioral development in early childhood. American Journal of Community Psychology, 62(3-4), 419-432. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12272
Ulrich, R. S., Simons, R. F., Losito, B. D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M. A., & Zelson, M. (1991).
Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of
Environmental Psychology, 11, 201–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)801847
Vanaken, G.J. & Danckaerts, M. (2018). Impact of green space exposure on children’s and adolescents’ mental health: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(2668), 1–17. https://doi.org/doi:10.3390/ijerph15122668
van den Berg, A. E., Wesselius, J. E., Maas, J., & Tanja-Dijkstra, K. (2017). Green walls for a restorative classroom environment: A controlled evaluation study. Environment and Behavior, 49(7), 791–813. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916516667976
Wells, N. M., & Evans, G.W. (2003). Nearby nature, a buffer of life stress among rural
children. Environment and Behavior, 35(3), 311–330. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139160021972793
Learning
Bates, C. R., Bohnert, A. M., & Gerstein, D. E. (2018). Green schoolyards in low-income urban neighborhoods: Natural spaces for positive youth development outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 805. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00805
Chiumento, A., Mukherjee, I., Chandna, J., Dutton, C., Rahman, A., & Bristow, K. (2018). A haven of green space: Learning from a pilot pre-post evaluation of a school-based social and therapeutic horticulture intervention with children. BMC Public Health, 18(1), 836. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5661-9
Dadvand, P., Nieuwenhuijsena, M., Esnaolaa, M., Fornsa, J., Basagañaa, X., Alvarez-
Pedrerola, M., … Sunyera, J. (2015). Green spaces and cognitive development in primary schoolchildren. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America.
Faber Taylor, A., & Kuo, F. E. (2009). Children with attention deficits concentrate better after a walk in the park. Journal of Attention Disorders, 12(5), 402–409. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054708323000
Kuo, M., Barnes, M., & Jordan, C. (2019). Do experiences with nature promote learning? Converging evidence of a cause-and-effect relationship. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 305. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00305
Nedovic, S., Morrissey, A.M. (2013). Calm active and focused: Children’s responses to an organic outdoor learning environment. Learning and Environments Research, 16, 281–295. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-013-9127-9
Schutte, A., Turquati, J., & Beattie, H. (2017). Impact of urban nature on executive
functioning in early and middle childhood. Environment and Behavior, 49(1), 3–30.
https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916515603095
Wells, N. M. (2000). At home with nature: The effects of nearby nature on children’s cognitive functioning. Environment & Behavior, 32, 775-795. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139160021972793
Wells, N. M., Myers, B. M., Todd, L. E., Barale, K., Gaolach, B., Ferenz, G., Aitkin, M., Henderson, C.R., Tse, C., Ostile Pattison, K., Taylor, C., Connerly, L., Carson, J.B., Gensemer, A.Z., Franza, N.K., & Falk, E. (2015). The effects of school gardens on children’s science knowledge: A randomized controlled trial of low-income elementary schools. International Journal of Science Education, 37, 2858–2878. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2015.1112048
Families and Nature Across Generations
Izenstark, D., & Middaugh, E. (2022). Patterns of family-based nature activities across the early life course and their association with adulthood outdoor participation and preference. Journal of Leisure Research, 53(1), 4–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2021.1875274
Izenstark, D., & Ebata, A. T. (2019). Why families go outside: An exploration of mothers’ and daughters’ family-based nature activities. Leisure Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2019.1625293