EcoHealth Ontario and the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation are pleased to present a workshop on Realizing the Health Benefits of Green Spaces in a Changing World.

There is growing understanding of the complex linkages between the natural and built environments and human health. Nature can help mitigate a wide range of physical and mental illnesses associated with modern lifestyles, urbanization, and changing climate. Unfortunately, current patterns of urban development are eroding and reducing access to natural areas and affecting the capacity of human settlements to be resilient to extreme weather events.

In recent years, a number of public health organizations in Ontario have begun to work with the environmental sector to assess the health evidence and explore its implications for public policy, programs and planning decisions.

Workshop discussions will explore creative policies, programs, and outreach approaches that could be used to enhance human health through increased quality and diversity of urban and rural green spaces. Case studies of the Ontario Greenbelt, watersheds and urban green spaces will be used to illustrate challenges and opportunities.

When: Tuesday March 24 2015 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, in association with The Ontario Public Health Convention (March 25 – 27)
Where: Allstream Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto
Who: Professionals in the fields of public health, medicine, planning, parks, recreation, forestry (urban and rural), watershed management, environment, biodiversity and education
Why: The workshop will include:
• Presentations on the evidence for health benefits of green spaces in a changing world
• Expert panel discussion on key issues
• Round-table discussions on ecohealth actions, barriers and opportunities