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NCH2
  • About
    • The Triple Aim
    • Current Examples of the Triple Aim
  • Grants and Resources
    • Seed Grants
    • Jobs
  • Newsletters
    • Recent Past Newsletters >
      • January 24th Newsletter
      • January 10th, 2023 Newsletter
      • December 1st Newsletter
      • November 10th Newsletter
      • October 27th, 2022 Newsletter
      • October 13th, 2022 Newsletter
      • September 29th, 2022 Newsletter
  • Data We Can Use
    • NCH2 Blog
    • Readings to Get You Started
    • Recent Research
  • Nearby Nature
  • Join Us

About Us

Our Origins

The idea for the network sprang from a symposium held at the Chicago Botanic Garden in 2014 titled “Nature, Culture, and Human Health.” At the end of the symposium, people were so excited about the work being done by the speakers and others at the symposium that a committee was formed to organize the energy, collaboration, and information sharing.
​NCH2's foundational partners are Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Forest Preserves of Cook County, and Northwestern University. Northwestern University continues to serve as the home base for NCH2.

Our Mission

To establish that access to nature -- clean air, clean water, and welcoming, safe nature spaces -- is an essential determinant to health and well-being.  NCH2 connects and coordinates people and organizations, as well as deepens the understanding of the evidence needed, to support the mutual impacts of nature and human health. These connections are vital to our region’s resilience. 
As our region faces ongoing challenges from a rapidly changing climate, land and habitat disruption from overdevelopment, and inequitable access to nature spaces, we spark community-shaped collaborations to build community resilience, specifically in areas that have experienced disinvestment and are most vulnerable to climate change. These collaborations incorporate the NCH2 Triple Aim Values.​

Our Staff

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NCH2 Director
​Laura Derks
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Research Editor
​Abby Kisicki
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News Correspondent 
Mary Gavin
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Media Editor 
​Annalise Biesterfeld

Steering Committee

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Teresa Horton
Chairperson

Associate Professor of Research, Department of Anthropology at Northwestern University​
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Natalia Ospina
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Director of Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator at  Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods
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Sarah Flores
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Senior Program Manager, Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity at the Illinois Public Health Institute
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Marlene Fisher

Founder of Greasy Gardens. Senior PeopleSoft Security Administrator, University of Chicago.  Farmer and block club president.
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Cassandra Powell

Executive Director, Founder Light of Loving Kindness
 
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Aaron Siebert-Llera

Director of Inclusion, The Morton Arboretum
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Jacqui Ulrich

Director, Forest Preserves of Cook County






David Victorson


Northwestern University/Professor of Medical Social Sciences
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Jessica Mino

Kane and Kendall County Program Director, The Conservation Foundation





Raed Mansour

Chicago Department of Public Health, Director of Environmental Innovation
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Danielle Russell

Openlands, ​School Garden Coordinator
DISCLAIMER: All information, content, and material on this website is for informational purposes only. This information should not replace a medical consultation or treatment plan given by a qualified healthcare provider. 
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  • About
    • The Triple Aim
    • Current Examples of the Triple Aim
  • Grants and Resources
    • Seed Grants
    • Jobs
  • Newsletters
    • Recent Past Newsletters >
      • January 24th Newsletter
      • January 10th, 2023 Newsletter
      • December 1st Newsletter
      • November 10th Newsletter
      • October 27th, 2022 Newsletter
      • October 13th, 2022 Newsletter
      • September 29th, 2022 Newsletter
  • Data We Can Use
    • NCH2 Blog
    • Readings to Get You Started
    • Recent Research
  • Nearby Nature
  • Join Us