welcome everyone it’s great to be here now there’s one thing that we know for
now there’s one thing that we know for
now there’s one thing that we know for sure that nature is good for us we’ve
sure that nature is good for us we’ve
sure that nature is good for us we’ve known this for millennia 2,000 years ago
known this for millennia 2,000 years ago
known this for millennia 2,000 years ago Taoist monks wrote about the healing
Taoist monks wrote about the healing
Taoist monks wrote about the healing powers of working in greenhouses and
powers of working in greenhouses and
powers of working in greenhouses and tending gardens and in 1984 iya Wilson
tending gardens and in 1984 iya Wilson
tending gardens and in 1984 iya Wilson wrote about our deep primal need to
wrote about our deep primal need to
wrote about our deep primal need to affiliate with nature in the natural
affiliate with nature in the natural
affiliate with nature in the natural world and coined the term Biophilia this
world and coined the term Biophilia this
world and coined the term Biophilia this concept of Biophilia is becoming ever
concept of Biophilia is becoming ever
concept of Biophilia is becoming ever more urgent as we consume the
more urgent as we consume the
more urgent as we consume the biodiversity around us and separate
biodiversity around us and separate
biodiversity around us and separate ourselves more and more from the natural
ourselves more and more from the natural
ourselves more and more from the natural world as of 2010 we have officially
world as of 2010 we have officially
world as of 2010 we have officially become an urban species more of us live
become an urban species more of us live
become an urban species more of us live in cities than don’t and that is a trend
in cities than don’t and that is a trend
in cities than don’t and that is a trend that’s continuing and accelerating it
that’s continuing and accelerating it
that’s continuing and accelerating it has progressively drawn us inside away
has progressively drawn us inside away
has progressively drawn us inside away from the natural world and now the
from the natural world and now the
from the natural world and now the average North American and European
average North American and European
average North American and European spends 90% of their time indoors that
spends 90% of their time indoors that
spends 90% of their time indoors that remaining 10% well five of that is spent
remaining 10% well five of that is spent
remaining 10% well five of that is spent in a car
in a car
in a car if not more I hear some commuters
if not more I hear some commuters
if not more I hear some commuters laughing in the audience this is a this
laughing in the audience this is a this
laughing in the audience this is a this is an environment very different from
is an environment very different from
is an environment very different from our ancestral origins and it’s a
our ancestral origins and it’s a
our ancestral origins and it’s a relatively modern thing so how has this
relatively modern thing so how has this
relatively modern thing so how has this radical shift in lifestyle affected our
radical shift in lifestyle affected our
radical shift in lifestyle affected our minds and body well there are a slew of
minds and body well there are a slew of
minds and body well there are a slew of studies chronicling the modern ailments
studies chronicling the modern ailments
studies chronicling the modern ailments that go along with this separation from
that go along with this separation from
that go along with this separation from the natural world and they’re a physical
the natural world and they’re a physical
the natural world and they’re a physical physical as well as mental and some of
physical as well as mental and some of
physical as well as mental and some of these include spreading epidemic of
these include spreading epidemic of
these include spreading epidemic of myopia if you don’t get enough sunlight
myopia if you don’t get enough sunlight
myopia if you don’t get enough sunlight on your eyeballs they grow longer and we
on your eyeballs they grow longer and we
on your eyeballs they grow longer and we get myopia we have rising levels of
get myopia we have rising levels of
get myopia we have rising levels of obesity and diabetes cardiovascular
obesity and diabetes cardiovascular
obesity and diabetes cardiovascular disease is correlated with a lack of
disease is correlated with a lack of
disease is correlated with a lack of nature exposure and all sorts of
nature exposure and all sorts of
nature exposure and all sorts of behavioral disorders depression is
behavioral disorders depression is
behavioral disorders depression is rampant so what is going on and how can
rampant so what is going on and how can
rampant so what is going on and how can nature help well nature is a nature’s a
nature help well nature is a nature’s a
nature help well nature is a nature’s a complicated therapy it’s not only rich
complicated therapy it’s not only rich
complicated therapy it’s not only rich in visuals its multi-sensorial you have
in visuals its multi-sensorial you have
in visuals its multi-sensorial you have incredible sounds
incredible sounds
incredible sounds textures interrelationships processes
textures interrelationships processes
textures interrelationships processes it’s a
it’s a
it’s a it’s like it’s a complex therapy how do
it’s like it’s a complex therapy how do
it’s like it’s a complex therapy how do you figure out what’s doing what well
you figure out what’s doing what well
you figure out what’s doing what well you can start to look at it by breaking
you can start to look at it by breaking
you can start to look at it by breaking it into its component parts and let’s
it into its component parts and let’s
it into its component parts and let’s say visuals now I’m a marine biologist
say visuals now I’m a marine biologist
say visuals now I’m a marine biologist and I’ve spent many many hours studying
and I’ve spent many many hours studying
and I’ve spent many many hours studying this crazy fish the giant ocean sunfish
this crazy fish the giant ocean sunfish
this crazy fish the giant ocean sunfish and
and
and other large animals and I love being
other large animals and I love being
other large animals and I love being immersed in nature I find it completely
immersed in nature I find it completely
immersed in nature I find it completely exhilarating and rejuvenating but what I
exhilarating and rejuvenating but what I
exhilarating and rejuvenating but what I find particularly interesting as well is
find particularly interesting as well is
find particularly interesting as well is that just looking at nature imagery does
that just looking at nature imagery does
that just looking at nature imagery does something powerful to our brains and
something powerful to our brains and
something powerful to our brains and bodies there’s something going on there
bodies there’s something going on there
bodies there’s something going on there we’re not in nature we’re looking at it
we’re not in nature we’re looking at it
we’re not in nature we’re looking at it so what’s that mechanism well Roger
so what’s that mechanism well Roger
so what’s that mechanism well Roger Robert Ulrich was the first to really
Robert Ulrich was the first to really
Robert Ulrich was the first to really formally write about this and publish a
formally write about this and publish a
formally write about this and publish a scientific study in 1984 in science the
scientific study in 1984 in science the
scientific study in 1984 in science the journal Science and he found that
journal Science and he found that
journal Science and he found that recovering patients from gallbladder
recovering patients from gallbladder
recovering patients from gallbladder surgery who had windows that looked out
surgery who had windows that looked out
surgery who had windows that looked out on trees had a faster recovery rate
on trees had a faster recovery rate
on trees had a faster recovery rate upwards of a day faster and requested
upwards of a day faster and requested
upwards of a day faster and requested fewer strong pain medication than those
fewer strong pain medication than those
fewer strong pain medication than those patients whose windows look out on a
patients whose windows look out on a
patients whose windows look out on a brick wall and since those studies many
brick wall and since those studies many
brick wall and since those studies many have followed suit and found similar
have followed suit and found similar
have followed suit and found similar things there’s a number of theories that
things there’s a number of theories that
things there’s a number of theories that have been put forth to them describe and
have been put forth to them describe and
have been put forth to them describe and explain what’s going on and one of the
explain what’s going on and one of the
explain what’s going on and one of the prevailing theories is put forth by
prevailing theories is put forth by
prevailing theories is put forth by Rachel and Steven Kaplan out at the
Rachel and Steven Kaplan out at the
Rachel and Steven Kaplan out at the University of Michigan and it’s called
University of Michigan and it’s called
University of Michigan and it’s called attention restoration theory you have
attention restoration theory you have
attention restoration theory you have your directed attention your voluntary
your directed attention your voluntary
your directed attention your voluntary attention and your involuntary attention
attention and your involuntary attention
attention and your involuntary attention and nature it has our involuntary
and nature it has our involuntary
and nature it has our involuntary attention it draws us in with this kind
attention it draws us in with this kind
attention it draws us in with this kind of what psychologists call a soft
of what psychologists call a soft
of what psychologists call a soft fascination that doesn’t take much
fascination that doesn’t take much
fascination that doesn’t take much effort you look at the clouds overhead
effort you look at the clouds overhead
effort you look at the clouds overhead you look at the wind wrestling the
you look at the wind wrestling the
you look at the wind wrestling the leaves and your attention is drawn but
leaves and your attention is drawn but
leaves and your attention is drawn but it’s not taxing you as opposed to
it’s not taxing you as opposed to
it’s not taxing you as opposed to directed attention where you’re if
directed attention where you’re if
directed attention where you’re if you’re driving you have to you know stay
you’re driving you have to you know stay
you’re driving you have to you know stay focused on these things
focused on these things
focused on these things and nature is restorative in this way so
and nature is restorative in this way so
and nature is restorative in this way so that’s one of the prevailing theories
that’s one of the prevailing theories
that’s one of the prevailing theories and there’s lots of different ones as
and there’s lots of different ones as
and there’s lots of different ones as well and there’s ways of testing this
well and there’s ways of testing this
well and there’s ways of testing this you can take take bits of saliva and
you can take take bits of saliva and
you can take take bits of saliva and look for cortisol which is a measure of
look for cortisol which is a measure of
look for cortisol which is a measure of stress levels you can put on galvanic
stress levels you can put on galvanic
stress levels you can put on galvanic skin sensors you can put on heartrate
skin sensors you can put on heartrate
skin sensors you can put on heartrate monitors but what if you could crawl
monitors but what if you could crawl
monitors but what if you could crawl right inside the mind now wouldn’t that
right inside the mind now wouldn’t that
right inside the mind now wouldn’t that be cool so that’s what we’re looking at
be cool so that’s what we’re looking at
be cool so that’s what we’re looking at now and I’m coining I’m calling this
now and I’m coining I’m calling this
now and I’m coining I’m calling this neuro Biophilia the science of how
neuro Biophilia the science of how
neuro Biophilia the science of how nature engages the brain and this is a
nature engages the brain and this is a
nature engages the brain and this is a sub-discipline it joins other sub
sub-discipline it joins other sub
sub-discipline it joins other sub disciplines that are looking at the
disciplines that are looking at the
disciplines that are looking at the brain and how the brain responds to our
brain and how the brain responds to our
brain and how the brain responds to our environments and they include things
environments and they include things
environments and they include things such as neuro cinematix the brain on
such as neuro cinematix the brain on
such as neuro cinematix the brain on movies there’s also neuro aesthetics the
movies there’s also neuro aesthetics the
movies there’s also neuro aesthetics the brain on beauty and art and what I find
brain on beauty and art and what I find
brain on beauty and art and what I find really exciting about these sub
really exciting about these sub
really exciting about these sub disciplines is that they’re highly
disciplines is that they’re highly
disciplines is that they’re highly interdisciplinary they’re drawing from
interdisciplinary they’re drawing from
interdisciplinary they’re drawing from all sorts of different venues all sorts
all sorts of different venues all sorts
all sorts of different venues all sorts of different disciplines from social
of different disciplines from social
of different disciplines from social science to evolutionary psychology to to
science to evolutionary psychology to to
science to evolutionary psychology to to computer science artificial intelligence
computer science artificial intelligence
computer science artificial intelligence landscape architecture color theory and
landscape architecture color theory and
landscape architecture color theory and they’re pulling it all together to make
they’re pulling it all together to make
they’re pulling it all together to make sense of what’s going on in the brain we
sense of what’s going on in the brain we
sense of what’s going on in the brain we have our toes on the shores of this vast
have our toes on the shores of this vast
have our toes on the shores of this vast cerebral sea and it’s such an exciting
cerebral sea and it’s such an exciting
cerebral sea and it’s such an exciting time to have these tools available for
time to have these tools available for
time to have these tools available for these explorations and to continue our
these explorations and to continue our
these explorations and to continue our adventure into the brain I’m going to
adventure into the brain I’m going to
adventure into the brain I’m going to hand off to tan so thanks
Thank You tini and good evening everyone
Thank You tini and good evening everyone you know I spend most of my day in front
you know I spend most of my day in front
you know I spend most of my day in front of a computer screen I basically do a
of a computer screen I basically do a
of a computer screen I basically do a lot of reading I look at a lot of
lot of reading I look at a lot of
lot of reading I look at a lot of numbers measurements and I coordinate
numbers measurements and I coordinate
numbers measurements and I coordinate people because I’ve spent the last 10
people because I’ve spent the last 10
people because I’ve spent the last 10 years of my life working to develop new
years of my life working to develop new
years of my life working to develop new technologies that allow us to study
technologies that allow us to study
technologies that allow us to study brains you know this amazing and yet in
brains you know this amazing and yet in
brains you know this amazing and yet in mathematics space inside our head and as
mathematics space inside our head and as
mathematics space inside our head and as we go through life our brain actually
we go through life our brain actually
we go through life our brain actually undergoes extraordinary development it’s
undergoes extraordinary development it’s
undergoes extraordinary development it’s the most adaptive organ in our body and
the most adaptive organ in our body and
the most adaptive organ in our body and it can change both positively and
it can change both positively and
it can change both positively and negatively by our thoughts actions and
negatively by our thoughts actions and
negatively by our thoughts actions and experiences and we know as
experiences and we know as
experiences and we know as neuroscientists that nature has a
neuroscientists that nature has a
neuroscientists that nature has a restorative effect on the brain now the
restorative effect on the brain now the
restorative effect on the brain now the way in which most of these experiments
way in which most of these experiments
way in which most of these experiments are conducted is based on giving people
are conducted is based on giving people
are conducted is based on giving people and a sustained attention task that
and a sustained attention task that
and a sustained attention task that drains and fatigues your attentional
drains and fatigues your attentional
drains and fatigues your attentional networks and then you’re asked to spend
networks and then you’re asked to spend
networks and then you’re asked to spend about 30 minutes or in nature or in an
about 30 minutes or in nature or in an
about 30 minutes or in nature or in an urban setting and then you’re brought
urban setting and then you’re brought
urban setting and then you’re brought back into the same place and asked to do
back into the same place and asked to do
back into the same place and asked to do the same test again and you’re measured
the same test again and you’re measured
the same test again and you’re measured to see your performance which one did
to see your performance which one did
to see your performance which one did you do better in and whilst that’s a
you do better in and whilst that’s a
you do better in and whilst that’s a really good way to observe the effects
really good way to observe the effects
really good way to observe the effects of the beneficial effects of nature on
of the beneficial effects of nature on
of the beneficial effects of nature on the brain it’s not quite the same as
the brain it’s not quite the same as
the brain it’s not quite the same as being able to measure and quantify
being able to measure and quantify
being able to measure and quantify exactly what is going on in the brain
exactly what is going on in the brain
exactly what is going on in the brain itself and that’s the question that the
itself and that’s the question that the
itself and that’s the question that the three of us wanted to answer we wanted
three of us wanted to answer we wanted
three of us wanted to answer we wanted to actually measure and quantify exactly
to actually measure and quantify exactly
to actually measure and quantify exactly what is going on in my brain when I
what is going on in my brain when I
what is going on in my brain when I experience those amazing imagery of
experience those amazing imagery of
experience those amazing imagery of nature and so one of the things that
nature and so one of the things that
nature and so one of the things that really excites me the most about brain
really excites me the most about brain
really excites me the most about brain research in the last decade is that we
research in the last decade is that we
research in the last decade is that we have moved beyond psychology psychiatry
have moved beyond psychology psychiatry
have moved beyond psychology psychiatry and neurology and we’ve merged with
and neurology and we’ve merged with
and neurology and we’ve merged with other disciplines statistical analysis
other disciplines statistical analysis
other disciplines statistical analysis artificial intelligence machine learning
artificial intelligence machine learning
artificial intelligence machine learning even you know material sciences
even you know material sciences
even you know material sciences information technology with advances in
information technology with advances in
information technology with advances in technology contributing to ever better
technology contributing to ever better
technology contributing to ever better faster and smarter devices and
faster and smarter devices and
faster and smarter devices and techniques now one of the things that
techniques now one of the things that
techniques now one of the things that we’re trying to do is to really push the
we’re trying to do is to really push the
we’re trying to do is to really push the boundaries of the latest in science and
boundaries of the latest in science and
boundaries of the latest in science and technology to enable these portable
technology to enable these portable
technology to enable these portable electroencephalogram systems to open a
electroencephalogram systems to open a
electroencephalogram systems to open a new window on the complex functioning of
new window on the complex functioning of
new window on the complex functioning of our brain and I wanted to take a few
our brain and I wanted to take a few
our brain and I wanted to take a few moments to share with you and really
moments to share with you and really
moments to share with you and really show you an insight into what my brain
show you an insight into what my brain
show you an insight into what my brain actually looks like in real time so if
actually looks like in real time so if
actually looks like in real time so if we switch over who you are so this is
we switch over who you are so this is
we switch over who you are so this is what this device is picking up my brain
what this device is picking up my brain
what this device is picking up my brain activity right now and transmitting it
activity right now and transmitting it
activity right now and transmitting it to a computer
to a computer
to a computer and so what you’re able to see is a data
and so what you’re able to see is a data
and so what you’re able to see is a data visualization tool that localizes the
visualization tool that localizes the
visualization tool that localizes the activity in different functional brain
activity in different functional brain
activity in different functional brain areas so when you see the frontal part
areas so when you see the frontal part
areas so when you see the frontal part of my brain light up the frontal lobes
of my brain light up the frontal lobes
of my brain light up the frontal lobes are responsible for executive function
are responsible for executive function
are responsible for executive function conscious thoughts movements attention
conscious thoughts movements attention
conscious thoughts movements attention planning language logic the side of my
planning language logic the side of my
planning language logic the side of my brains the temporal lobes are
brains the temporal lobes are
brains the temporal lobes are responsible for processing auditory
responsible for processing auditory
responsible for processing auditory responses memory in the back of my brain
responses memory in the back of my brain
responses memory in the back of my brain when you see that part light up the
when you see that part light up the
when you see that part light up the parietal and occipital lobes that’s
parietal and occipital lobes that’s
parietal and occipital lobes that’s actually responsible for sensory
actually responsible for sensory
actually responsible for sensory integration and visual processing and so
integration and visual processing and so
integration and visual processing and so through tools like this we can actually
through tools like this we can actually
through tools like this we can actually have a window into what’s going on in
have a window into what’s going on in
have a window into what’s going on in real time and that allows us to really
real time and that allows us to really
real time and that allows us to really start to piece together the beneficial
start to piece together the beneficial
start to piece together the beneficial effects of nature on the brain in a way
effects of nature on the brain in a way
effects of nature on the brain in a way that we haven’t really been able to to
that we haven’t really been able to to
that we haven’t really been able to to see in the past and so with that I’m
see in the past and so with that I’m
see in the past and so with that I’m going to pass on to Malini to end
hmm that’s great I can’t believe I just
hmm that’s great I can’t believe I just saw my colleagues brain going on but I
saw my colleagues brain going on but I
saw my colleagues brain going on but I was fantastic and really that’s the
was fantastic and really that’s the
was fantastic and really that’s the wonderful thing about a collaboration
wonderful thing about a collaboration
wonderful thing about a collaboration like ours there’s so much sharing and
like ours there’s so much sharing and
like ours there’s so much sharing and learning that goes on I’ve learned for
learning that goes on I’ve learned for
learning that goes on I’ve learned for example that the different parts of a
example that the different parts of a
example that the different parts of a neuron a single neuron one of the
neuron a single neuron one of the
neuron a single neuron one of the billions that occur in our brain they
billions that occur in our brain they
billions that occur in our brain they function in a way to connect the
function in a way to connect the
function in a way to connect the thoughts and the actions and the
thoughts and the actions and the
thoughts and the actions and the knowledge that we have within our bodies
knowledge that we have within our bodies
knowledge that we have within our bodies and outside outside our worlds and I’d
and outside outside our worlds and I’d
and outside outside our worlds and I’d like to share with my colleagues
like to share with my colleagues
like to share with my colleagues anything I can tell them about trees
anything I can tell them about trees
anything I can tell them about trees because that’s what I study and I have
because that’s what I study and I have
because that’s what I study and I have been studying forest trees for many
been studying forest trees for many
been studying forest trees for many years I study in the forest canopy I
years I study in the forest canopy I
years I study in the forest canopy I started 35 years ago and that was a time
started 35 years ago and that was a time
started 35 years ago and that was a time when we were pioneers in the forest
when we were pioneers in the forest
when we were pioneers in the forest canopy where very few people had
canopy where very few people had
canopy where very few people had ascended well that beautiful tapestry of
ascended well that beautiful tapestry of
ascended well that beautiful tapestry of the intact forest canopy is being
the intact forest canopy is being
the intact forest canopy is being destroyed by many human activities and I
destroyed by many human activities and I
destroyed by many human activities and I became very concerned about this the
became very concerned about this the
became very concerned about this the disturbances of deforestation of forest
disturbances of deforestation of forest
disturbances of deforestation of forest fragmentation of conversion of primary
fragmentation of conversion of primary
fragmentation of conversion of primary forests to agricultural land another
forests to agricultural land another
forests to agricultural land another environmental problem that I became very
environmental problem that I became very
environmental problem that I became very interested in is the harvesting of
interested in is the harvesting of
interested in is the harvesting of canopy dwelling mosses for the
canopy dwelling mosses for the
canopy dwelling mosses for the horticultural trade this is a 300
horticultural trade this is a 300
horticultural trade this is a 300 million dollar business and it wouldn’t
million dollar business and it wouldn’t
million dollar business and it wouldn’t sound so bad unless you realize that it
sound so bad unless you realize that it
sound so bad unless you realize that it takes 30 years 20 to 30 years for these
takes 30 years 20 to 30 years for these
takes 30 years 20 to 30 years for these mosses to grow back after they’ve been
mosses to grow back after they’ve been
mosses to grow back after they’ve been stripped off of old-growth forest trees
stripped off of old-growth forest trees
stripped off of old-growth forest trees and as a scientist I felt that maybe I
and as a scientist I felt that maybe I
and as a scientist I felt that maybe I could do something about this
could do something about this
could do something about this environmental problem and I realized I
environmental problem and I realized I
environmental problem and I realized I couldn’t stop the collecting of mosses
couldn’t stop the collecting of mosses
couldn’t stop the collecting of mosses but perhaps I could learn how to farm
but perhaps I could learn how to farm
but perhaps I could learn how to farm these mosses in order to bring down the
these mosses in order to bring down the
these mosses in order to bring down the harvesting pressure and these beautiful
harvesting pressure and these beautiful
harvesting pressure and these beautiful old-growth systems and it also seemed to
old-growth systems and it also seemed to
old-growth systems and it also seemed to me that I needed help to do this and it
me that I needed help to do this and it
me that I needed help to do this and it also seemed to me that perhaps people
also seemed to me that perhaps people
also seemed to me that perhaps people who didn’t have access people who don’t
who didn’t have access people who don’t
who didn’t have access people who don’t have access to nature or to these
have access to nature or to these
have access to nature or to these beautiful mosses in this incredible
beautiful mosses in this incredible
beautiful mosses in this incredible temperate rainforest might be the best
temperate rainforest might be the best
temperate rainforest might be the best possible partners and so I started a
possible partners and so I started a
possible partners and so I started a program in 2005 to enlist the help of
program in 2005 to enlist the help of
program in 2005 to enlist the help of prisoners of incarcerated men and women
prisoners of incarcerated men and women
prisoners of incarcerated men and women to help me learn how to grow moss is for
to help me learn how to grow moss is for
to help me learn how to grow moss is for the horticultural trade they have time
the horticultural trade they have time
the horticultural trade they have time many of them have space you don’t need
many of them have space you don’t need
many of them have space you don’t need sharp tools to grow mosses and so in
sharp tools to grow mosses and so in
sharp tools to grow mosses and so in fact this turned out to be a fabulous
fact this turned out to be a fabulous
fact this turned out to be a fabulous project the
project the
project the incarcerated men and women enjoyed this
incarcerated men and women enjoyed this
incarcerated men and women enjoyed this project and got something out of it
project and got something out of it
project and got something out of it because they found that they were
because they found that they were
because they found that they were contributing to something larger than
contributing to something larger than
contributing to something larger than themselves
themselves
themselves something larger than the prison in
something larger than the prison in
something larger than the prison in which they were incarcerated something
which they were incarcerated something
which they were incarcerated something as large as planet Earth because they
as large as planet Earth because they
as large as planet Earth because they were helping to reduce a collecting
were helping to reduce a collecting
were helping to reduce a collecting pressure of these old-growth ecosystems
pressure of these old-growth ecosystems
pressure of these old-growth ecosystems and the supervisors and superintendent
and the supervisors and superintendent
and the supervisors and superintendent loved this project because the men were
loved this project because the men were
loved this project because the men were occupied they were having better social
occupied they were having better social
occupied they were having better social interactions violent infractions started
interactions violent infractions started
interactions violent infractions started going down and so they asked me to
going down and so they asked me to
going down and so they asked me to organize more projects I started a
organize more projects I started a
organize more projects I started a science lecture series in this prison
science lecture series in this prison
science lecture series in this prison that spread to others and from those
that spread to others and from those
that spread to others and from those lecture series became the inspiration
lecture series became the inspiration
lecture series became the inspiration for starting some conservation projects
for starting some conservation projects
for starting some conservation projects these involve growing endangered species
these involve growing endangered species
these involve growing endangered species prairie plants the Oregon spotted frog
prairie plants the Oregon spotted frog
prairie plants the Oregon spotted frog the Taylor Checkerspot butterfly by the
the Taylor Checkerspot butterfly by the
the Taylor Checkerspot butterfly by the inmates behind bars when these animals
inmates behind bars when these animals
inmates behind bars when these animals and plants were produced they were taken
and plants were produced they were taken
and plants were produced they were taken by our collaborating conservation groups
by our collaborating conservation groups
by our collaborating conservation groups and used for restoration projects in
and used for restoration projects in
and used for restoration projects in Washington State this was really a
Washington State this was really a
Washington State this was really a win-win situation for the men and women
win-win situation for the men and women
win-win situation for the men and women that we were able to bring these
that we were able to bring these
that we were able to bring these projects to but I very soon realized
projects to but I very soon realized
projects to but I very soon realized that I was missing people in the prison
that I was missing people in the prison
that I was missing people in the prison in terms of people who could be involved
in terms of people who could be involved
in terms of people who could be involved with these projects that is I was
with these projects that is I was
with these projects that is I was missing the men and women who were
missing the men and women who were
missing the men and women who were incarcerated far deep in the bowels of
incarcerated far deep in the bowels of
incarcerated far deep in the bowels of the prison system of the United States
the prison system of the United States
the prison system of the United States those that live in solitary confinement
those that live in solitary confinement
those that live in solitary confinement over 30,000 some estimate up as high as
over 30,000 some estimate up as high as
over 30,000 some estimate up as high as 80,000 men and women are incarcerated in
80,000 men and women are incarcerated in
80,000 men and women are incarcerated in solitary confinement in the United
solitary confinement in the United
solitary confinement in the United States this is a cell nine by 12 while
States this is a cell nine by 12 while
States this is a cell nine by 12 while you can see it’s very bare about really
you can see it’s very bare about really
you can see it’s very bare about really anything they’re incarcerated in this
anything they’re incarcerated in this
anything they’re incarcerated in this cell for 23 hours a day their meals are
cell for 23 hours a day their meals are
cell for 23 hours a day their meals are brought to them and one hour a day they
brought to them and one hour a day they
brought to them and one hour a day they are brought out by two guards to their
are brought out by two guards to their
are brought out by two guards to their exercise rooms or their recreational
exercise rooms or their recreational
exercise rooms or their recreational space which again is a very bare room
space which again is a very bare room
space which again is a very bare room with very little in terms of stimulation
with very little in terms of stimulation
with very little in terms of stimulation and absolutely no exposure to nature at
and absolutely no exposure to nature at
and absolutely no exposure to nature at all and it seemed to me that maybe
all and it seemed to me that maybe
all and it seemed to me that maybe although we couldn’t bring in frogs and
although we couldn’t bring in frogs and
although we couldn’t bring in frogs and butterflies in soil and plants that we
butterflies in soil and plants that we
butterflies in soil and plants that we might be able to bring nature imagery to
might be able to bring nature imagery to
might be able to bring nature imagery to these exercise cells so at that at least
these exercise cells so at that at least
these exercise cells so at that at least for one hour a day they would be exposed
for one hour a day they would be exposed
for one hour a day they would be exposed to some element of nature and nature
to some element of nature and nature
to some element of nature and nature imagery we started this out at the
imagery we started this out at the
imagery we started this out at the invitation of a wonderful well I don’t
invitation of a wonderful well I don’t
invitation of a wonderful well I don’t know if I can say a wonderful prison but
know if I can say a wonderful prison but
know if I can say a wonderful prison but in any case a prison where wonderful
in any case a prison where wonderful
in any case a prison where wonderful people work the Snake River Correctional
people work the Snake River Correctional
people work the Snake River Correctional tuition in Ontario Oregon they installed
tuition in Ontario Oregon they installed
tuition in Ontario Oregon they installed a projector in one of the exercise rooms
a projector in one of the exercise rooms
a projector in one of the exercise rooms of one of the cell blocks there they
of one of the cell blocks there they
of one of the cell blocks there they were able to gather Natural History
were able to gather Natural History
were able to gather Natural History films from the web and various other
films from the web and various other
films from the web and various other places and so right now the men who are
places and so right now the men who are
places and so right now the men who are in solitary confinement can ask to see
in solitary confinement can ask to see
in solitary confinement can ask to see one of the films when they go into their
one of the films when they go into their
one of the films when they go into their exercise room and there they can choose
exercise room and there they can choose
exercise room and there they can choose one of the 30 films that has been made
one of the 30 films that has been made
one of the 30 films that has been made available to them and then they’re able
available to them and then they’re able
available to them and then they’re able to watch that film and for that one hour
to watch that film and for that one hour
to watch that film and for that one hour a day they’re being exposed to nature
a day they’re being exposed to nature
a day they’re being exposed to nature imagery we have some anecdotal
imagery we have some anecdotal
imagery we have some anecdotal information that this has been very
information that this has been very
information that this has been very positive in terms of bringing down
positive in terms of bringing down
positive in terms of bringing down stress and anxiety but we have to do
stress and anxiety but we have to do
stress and anxiety but we have to do more work in terms of understanding how
more work in terms of understanding how
more work in terms of understanding how this might become an intervention we
this might become an intervention we
this might become an intervention we need to understand the real impacts of
need to understand the real impacts of
need to understand the real impacts of this on the attitudes and the behavior
this on the attitudes and the behavior
this on the attitudes and the behavior of the inmates that are exposed to it we
of the inmates that are exposed to it we
of the inmates that are exposed to it we also recognize that it’s not just the
also recognize that it’s not just the
also recognize that it’s not just the incarcerated men and women who are
incarcerated men and women who are
incarcerated men and women who are exposed to this nature deficit situation
exposed to this nature deficit situation
exposed to this nature deficit situation it’s also the staff the officers and the
it’s also the staff the officers and the
it’s also the staff the officers and the people who work in this environment that
people who work in this environment that
people who work in this environment that undergo what they call decomposition a
undergo what they call decomposition a
undergo what they call decomposition a physical emotional and psychological
physical emotional and psychological
physical emotional and psychological behavior as they’re removed from nature
behavior as they’re removed from nature
behavior as they’re removed from nature and nature imagery this is true not only
and nature imagery this is true not only
and nature imagery this is true not only in solitary confinement prisons but
in solitary confinement prisons but
in solitary confinement prisons but increasingly as Tierney pointed out in
increasingly as Tierney pointed out in
increasingly as Tierney pointed out in our own society people who work in
our own society people who work in
our own society people who work in windowless offices in cubicles like this
windowless offices in cubicles like this
windowless offices in cubicles like this people who have jobs in toll booths
people who have jobs in toll booths
people who have jobs in toll booths people who work in military barracks my
people who work in military barracks my
people who work in military barracks my own mom who’s 91 years old and isn’t a
own mom who’s 91 years old and isn’t a
own mom who’s 91 years old and isn’t a senior assisted living center in
senior assisted living center in
senior assisted living center in rockville maryland here has very little
rockville maryland here has very little
rockville maryland here has very little in the way of interaction with nature or
in the way of interaction with nature or
in the way of interaction with nature or nature imagery so I think there’s
nature imagery so I think there’s
nature imagery so I think there’s tremendous potential to think about the
tremendous potential to think about the
tremendous potential to think about the things that tyranny and Tom have talked
things that tyranny and Tom have talked
things that tyranny and Tom have talked about and the kinds of things that we’d
about and the kinds of things that we’d
about and the kinds of things that we’d like to do to eventually apply what we
like to do to eventually apply what we
like to do to eventually apply what we know to the kinds of populations that we
know to the kinds of populations that we
know to the kinds of populations that we will be a part of increasingly as time
will be a part of increasingly as time
will be a part of increasingly as time goes forward I think that our
goes forward I think that our
goes forward I think that our collaboration has allowed us to just
collaboration has allowed us to just
collaboration has allowed us to just sort of as Tierney said put our toes
sort of as Tierney said put our toes
sort of as Tierney said put our toes into the very first little waves of
into the very first little waves of
into the very first little waves of understanding humans and and the brain
understanding humans and and the brain
understanding humans and and the brain but I’d like to just share with you
but I’d like to just share with you
but I’d like to just share with you three of the beginning conclusions that
three of the beginning conclusions that
three of the beginning conclusions that we have come up with so far first of all
we have come up with so far first of all
we have come up with so far first of all we’ve come to understand that if we want
we’ve come to understand that if we want
we’ve come to understand that if we want to understand nature in the brain we
to understand nature in the brain we
to understand nature in the brain we must use both the cognitive sides of our
must use both the cognitive sides of our
must use both the cognitive sides of our ability
ability
ability understand as well as the emotional side
understand as well as the emotional side
understand as well as the emotional side both of those are intertwined if we’re
both of those are intertwined if we’re
both of those are intertwined if we’re to understand nature in the brain
to understand nature in the brain
to understand nature in the brain secondly we need to collaborate it’s
secondly we need to collaborate it’s
secondly we need to collaborate it’s great to have this threesome of
great to have this threesome of
great to have this threesome of colleagues but there are other fields
colleagues but there are other fields
colleagues but there are other fields that must be drawn into this
that must be drawn into this
that must be drawn into this neuroscience eco psychology sociology
neuroscience eco psychology sociology
neuroscience eco psychology sociology all of these fields must come together
all of these fields must come together
all of these fields must come together and touch in points where we can make
and touch in points where we can make
and touch in points where we can make contact and help each other understand
contact and help each other understand
contact and help each other understand this complexity of nature and the brain
this complexity of nature and the brain
this complexity of nature and the brain and the third concluding idea that we’ve
and the third concluding idea that we’ve
and the third concluding idea that we’ve come up with as a result of our
come up with as a result of our
come up with as a result of our collaboration is that nature is
collaboration is that nature is
collaboration is that nature is necessary for human social resists
necessary for human social resists
necessary for human social resists resilience that is nature is needed by
resilience that is nature is needed by
resilience that is nature is needed by everyone thank you
”
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