Humans and plants have a complex relationship extending far back into our joint
evolutionary history. This legacy can be seen today as plants provide nutrition, fiber,
pharmaceuticals, and energy for people and animals across the globe....

The impacts of climate change are already being felt in communities across the country.
More frequent and intense extreme weather and climate-related events, as well as changes
in average climate conditions, are expected to continue to...

Botanical gardens devote their resources to the study and conservation of plants, as well as making the world's plant species diversity known to the public. These gardens also play a central role in meeting human needs and providing well-being. In this...

This paper examines Urban Advantage, a thirteen-year partnership in New York City, between eight cultural institutions (botanical gardens among them) and the Department of Education, as a ‘case’ of a long-lasting research practice partnership that has...

Virginia has developed a successful urban tree citizen volunteer program, Tree Stewards. The program operates under the non-profit Virginia Trees.  Trained volunteers provide community education and work directly with local jurisdictions to assist with...

The North Carolina Botanical Gardens’ Wonder Connection outreach program serves patients at North Carolina Children’s Hospital. We intuitively know how healing nature can be, and yet most children’s hospitals don’t include nature programming. This...

This Field Guide to Conservation in Cities captures the collective experience of The Nature Conservancy and Center for Whole Communities (CWC) from 2014 to 2016, as they initiated a network of urban conservation programs in 12 cities across the United...

The US Water Alliance developed this briefing paper to expand national understanding of the water-related challenges that vulnerable communities face. This paper is inspired and informed by the contributions of diverse stakeholders—utility managers,...

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) has community engagement at its core. With health and environmental challenges facing society, its mission “to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future” is more important and...

During this webinar Jennifer Schwarz-Ballard took us on a whistle-stop tour of the history of Chicago Botanic Garden's community work, some of their inspiring current projects, like ...

The Nature Conservancy have worked carefully to present a comprehensive analysis of current evidence on how our human communities need nature in and around them to thrive. This report presents a panoramic view of how our cities and towns benefit from...

Nearly 40 years of scientific research demonstrates that the experience of nature in cities contributes to our health and wellness. Having nearby nature in the vicinity of one’s everyday life – whether during your...

New research shows that trees communicate with one another and share nutrients through their roots! They need each other. In urban areas, trees also help us with health, economic and social benefits. They are part of our culture. We need them. So...

This EPA toolkit uses examples from outreach efforts in the Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin to provide a helpful framework for state and local agencies, watershed groups, nongovernmental organizations and others in developing effective...

In this four-part series, EFC director Dan Nees speaks with local government leaders who are partnering with the private sector in innovative ways to better manage stormwater and achieve shared community goals.  These seasoned practitioners share...

Nutrition education handouts, Web sites, fact sheets and lesson plans that support the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Part of the SNAP-Ed Strategies & Interventions Toolkit, check out the links below to find hands-on cooking and tasting lessons...

The Social and Emotiona Learning (SEL) Challenge was designed to identify promising practices for empathy, teamwork, initiative, responsibility, and problem solving. The Challenge was a partnership in eight...

Conservation Psychologist and President & CEO of New Knowledge Organization, John Fraser, discusses the theological structure of environmental psychology — how do most people choose to engage with environmental sustainability, and what emotions,...

These case studies are successful examples of community engagement, design and planning, fostering partnerships, and procuring funding at parks in Baltimore, Denver, and Atlanta. 

Center for Whole Communities exists to cultivate transformative leadership that weaves together and strengthens movements for justice and the environment. CWC believes that vibrant and equitable communities stem from healthy relationships to ourselves...