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.
As our region faces ongoing challenges from a rapidly changing climate, land and habitat disruption from over-development, 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 demonstrate the NCH2 Triple Aim.​

Steering Committee

As we reboot NCH2, we are updating the steering committee.