The Challenge Poor air and water quality, heat-stressed environments, and poor diet coupled with low activity levels create public health problems in cities across the country.
The Solution Trees have been shown to create healthy environments for people by improving air quality and reducing heat island effects. New York City saw a decrease of almost 30% of asthma in young children after increasing its tree canopy through installation of over 300 trees per square kilometer (Lovasi 2008).
Studies have also shown that individuals with views or access to greenspace tend to be healthier. Employees experience 23% less sick time and greater job satisfaction. Hospital patients recover faster with fewer drugs (Ulrich 1984). Trees have also been shown to have a calming and healing effect on ADHD adults and teens (Burden 2008).
What Charlotte Residents are Saying About Trees and Public Health:
“[Trees] bring a sense of peace, beauty and tranquility to the human psyche which makes everyone's lives better.”
“Provide people with daily connection to nature. Fulfills psychological needs.”
"I'm a cancer survivor (melanoma) so shade is LIFE and trees provide the best shade!"
"Trees inspire me to be my best and enjoy life in all circumstances."
West side riders.
86% and 68% of survey respondents marked trees as 'very important' to improving the quality of life and providing relaxation, respectively.