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.
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.
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
NCH2 Director
Laura Derks |
Research Editor
Abby Kisicki |
News Correspondent
Mary Gavin |
Media Editor
Annalise Biesterfeld |
Steering Committee
|
Teresa Horton
Chairperson Associate Professor of Research, Department of Anthropology at Northwestern University |
|
Natalia Ospina
Director of Health, Equity, and Nature Accelerator at Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods |
|
Sarah Flores
Senior Program Manager, Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity at the Illinois Public Health Institute |
|
Marlene Fisher
Founder of Greasy Gardens. Senior PeopleSoft Security Administrator, University of Chicago. Farmer and block club president. |
|
|
|
Jacqui Ulrich
Director, Forest Preserves of Cook County David Victorson Northwestern University/Professor of Medical Social Sciences |
|
Jessica Mino
Kane and Kendall County Program Director, The Conservation Foundation Raed Mansour Chicago Department of Public Health, Director of Environmental Innovation |
|
Danielle Russell
Openlands, School Garden Coordinator |