Arbor Day Foundation Partners with NatureQuant to Quantify Tree's Impact on Health in Neighborhoods

LINCOLN, Nebraska (May 5, 2022) – The Arbor Day Foundation is partnering with NatureQuant, a technology and research company, to highlight the positive impact trees have on a neighborhood’s health and wellbeing.

“There is an infinite amount of research that shows people who live near trees and green space are mentally and physically healthier than those without,” said Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation. “But until now, you could not see a tree’s impact on a block-by-block radius in a visual, easy-to-understand way. NatureQuant’s technology will help us not only convey the benefits we know trees have on health, but it will allow us to focus on the neighborhoods that would benefit from more tree canopy.”

Since forming in 2019, NatureQuant has received acclaim for its algorithm that pulls public data, satellite imagery, and image-recognition software to map where nature was plentiful and where it was needed across the country. For each census tract across the country, it then provides a rating, or “NatureScore,” on a 0-100 scale, depending on how deprived an area is of nature.

“As it has become increasingly clear that nature access is an essential pillar for wellbeing, it is now time to put that knowledge into action in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation,” said Jared Hanley, CEO & co-founder of NatureQuant. “We are excited to help enable communities around the world to plant and manage trees and green spaces in a way that optimizes public health and equity.” 

Research shows trees can cool cities by up to 10 degrees to help combat urban heat island effect. Neighborhoods with higher tree canopy coverage, which helps to clean the air, have been shown to have lower childhood asthma rates, too. Studies also show people are happier the more connected to nature they become and have a higher feeling of well-being when living in urban areas with more green space.

The Arbor Day Foundation will work with its partners to use NatureScore data to develop high-impact projects designed to boost health outcomes and promote environmental equity among the most disadvantaged communities around the world.

“This partnership will help us make more informed, intentional decisions as we focus our work in communities where trees are needed most,” Lambe said.

For more information about the Arbor Day Foundation and its 50 years of tree planting work around the world, visit arborday.org.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.  

As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

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