{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6a4cf5af7c0256f6394f5519/6a83081ec2cc087689dc678a?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Ep. 8 -  Is a Blade of Grass Enough? (with Nadina Galle)","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6a4cf5af7c0256f6394f5519/1786971919478-4c50c555-2f0e-45fb-8246-3fc99ed79880.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Before children, a city is something you move through. After children, it's something you start to see. Ecological engineer Nadina Galle explores how parenthood reshapes our relationship with nature—and why even a blade of grass can begin to matter.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Shownotes:&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>Nadina's book <a href=\"https://www.nadinagalle.com/the-nature-of-our-cities\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><em>The Nature of Our Cities</em></a><em> </em>explores how technology – from AI to sensors and satellite imagery – can help us better understand, protect and reconnect with urban nature.</li><li>As a <a href=\"http://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/nadina-galle\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">National Geographic Explorer</a> Nadina works at the intersection of ecology, cities and technology.</li><li><a href=\"https://www.nadinagalle.com/ion\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Internet of Nature</a> is Nadina's concept for using emerging technologies to map, monitor, manage and reconnect people with urban nature.</li><li><a href=\"https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/45049\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Emerald Ash Borer natural experiment</a> is one of the strongest pieces of evidence discussed in the episode: The widespread loss of ash trees across North America and its measurable impact on human mortality.</li><li>Nadina discusses BioBlitzes – community events where people work together to identify as many plants and animals as possible in a given area. These citizen science projects help monitor biodiversity while encouraging people to reconnect with the nature around them, an approach that sits at the heart of Nadina's <a href=\"https://www.nadinagalle.com/ion\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Internet of Nature</a> framework.</li><li>Nadina discusses the Philadelphia LandCare Program, an initiative that transforms vacant lots into simple green spaces by removing debris and planting grass. A series of <a href=\"https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1718503115\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">studies</a> found that these low-cost interventions were associated with reductions in gun violence, improvements in mental health and stronger neighbourhood cohesion, illustrating how nature can reshape not only environments, but communities.</li><li><a href=\"https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1003213\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The Belgian study</a> on green space and children's IQ is research showing that children growing up in greener neighbourhoods scored higher on measures of cognitive development, even after controlling for socioeconomic factors.</li><li>Forest bathing for postpartum mothers is the <a href=\"https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/news/connecting-nature-urban-jungle-pilot-nature-based-mother-and-baby-group?__cf_chl_f_tk=xWBsVC0lPN._BSomMJjEwPfn3a9q4g.4rayH.MYup7w-1783414303-1.0.1.1-bEcXI8JZd4YTLIgcf0QIRgwVITtFiv60c3ivu8Fjxg8\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">pilot programme</a> discussed by Nadina, exploring how guided nature experiences may improve maternal wellbeing, sleep and parent–infant bonding.</li><li><strong>This podcast is part of the </strong><a href=\"https://earlychildhoodmatters.online/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Early Childhood Matters</strong></a><strong> platform by the Van Leer Foundation.</strong></li></ul><p><br></p>","author_name":"Early Childhood Matters with Michael Feigelson"}