Trees are capable of so much more than just providing shade and cleaning our air. Join host Rose Daily and guest Brian Wahl (Wisconsin DNR) to learn all of the amazing benefits of trees, including how they reduce energy costs, increase anti-cancer proteins in the body, and bring more business to your downtown. This episode also explores how to protect trees during construction projects and small things you can do to help the trees on your property thrive.

Planting trees correctly: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/urbanforests/treeplantingresources

Heat island & trees: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-05/documents/reducing_urban_heat_islands_ch_2.pdf

International Society of Arboriculture: Trees are good.org (learn about tree care and how to find a certified Arborist): https://wwv.isa-arbor.com/publicoutreach/treesaregood/index

Nature’s Riches: The Health and Financial Benefits of Nearby Nature : https://www.naturewithin.info/New/2016.11.Economic_Benefits_of_Nature_in_Cities.KWolf.pdf

Forest Bathing: https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2023/10/03/the-difference-between-hiking-and-forest-bathing/

Timestamps:

(01:49) The urban forest

(03:26) Trees: are they the answer?

(05:23) Wildlife habitat, dust mop, carbon sequestration

(07:58) $80 million in energy savings

(10:31) Trees & the heat island effect

(14:10) Sponge in a rainstorm

(17:17) Health benefits of trees

(18:49) Forest bathing & anti-cancer proteins

(21:42) Birth weight in children

(24:33) Property values & downtown shops

(30:50) Impact of emerald ash borer

(32:06) Replacing a mature tree with sapplings

(37:03) Damaging trees during construction projects

(44:33) Help your trees THRIVE

(58:23) resources & closing thoughts

"Protecting special places forever" is the mission statement of Groundswell Conservancy, a local nonprofit focused on land conservation. Join host Rose Daily and guest BJ Byers to learn how land is selected for conservation, what happens after acquisition, and how community members can get involved in land restoration.

Groundswell Conservancy: https://groundswellconservancy.org/

Find your local land trust: https://landtrustalliance.org/land-trusts

(01:00) Protecting special places forever

(02:48) What land is worth conserving?

(06:03) Rare & endagered species

(10:01) What's next after land acquisition?

(13:10) Conservation easement

(21:24) Groundswell's work in action

Spending time in nature has so many physical and social benefits, yet, in today's world, both adults and children are spending less time outside. Join host Rose Daily and guest BJ Beyers for a discussion on the unique connection humans have with nature and the important role this plays in wellbeing. This episode explores why we're spending less time in nature and the unique benefits received just from spending a few moments outside.

Groundswell Conservancy: https://groundswellconservancy.org/

White et al. 2019 Nature research paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3

(02:38) We spend 68 years of our lives indoors

(03:53) Factors keeping us inside

(10:29) Scheduling time in nature

(10:47) Does time in nature shift as we age?

(18:09) Spending 4 months in the wildernenss

(22:31) Scheduled hikes, wildlife observation, camping

(30:57) Benefits: improved wellbeing, increased focus, heightened creativity, desire to protect

(34:37) Walking outside or watching a video of nature: which is better?

(38:40) Hedonic vs eudaimonic wellbeing

(40:32) How to achieve peak happiness in nature

(45:11) Organizing field trips and outdoor volunteer events with Groundswell Conservancy