The Nature Study
About the Study
The Nature Study aims to advance knowledge of the health benefits of time spent outdoors. Our goal is to learn how early life experiences and circumstances shape attitudes toward nature engagement throughout an individual’s life and potential connections to health outcomes.
This initiative will begin with researchers at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health (HSPH) conducting informal focus groups sessions in four US cities—Boston, Berkeley, Atlanta, and Phoenix. These groups will explore how individuals think of nature, how their ideas and experiences shape nature-affinity, and how time in nature differs by geography, personal preferences, and demographics. At this stage are inviting you to be part of these focus groups to learn more about people’s attitudes and early life experiences in nature.
Whether or not you are an outdoor enthusiast or distinctly prefer the indoors, we want to hear your thoughts. Please find below additional information about the focus groups and register by clicking on the button below.
Have any other questions?
Contact the study manager at
Meet The Team
Memo Cedeño Laurent, ScD
Research Associate
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Jack Spengler, PhD
Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health
Linda Tomasso, MLA
Doctoral Candidate
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health