There is growing awareness and evidence of the benefits that healthy ecosystems provide to our own health and well-being.
Trees and Forests
Wetlands, Lakes and Rivers
Parks and Trails
Reduce smog and other forms of pollution by filtering out many airborne pollutants linked to heart disease, respiratory illnesses, diabetes, and cancer
Provide shade, reducing health risks from solar radiation
Provide natural air conditioning, reducing health risks from high summer temperatures
Absorb rainfall and snow melt, reducing flooding and recharging aquifers
Support recreation activities such as hiking, bird-watching, camping and picnicking
Capture carbon to help mitigate climate change
Filter sediment, nutrients and pollution, helping to clean our drinking water sources
Recharge groundwater and reduce risks of flooding
Moderate the local climate
Support recreation activities such as swimming, fishing and canoeing
Provide natural settings for outdoor recreation and physical activities
Provide contact with nature to support mental health and emotional well-being
Create attractive, liveable communities
Improving Ontario’s Ecohealth
In this video, produced by Powerline Films, Ecohealth Ontario partners highlight what ecohealth means for the well-being of people and ecosystems in both our urban and rural communities and how various sectors play a role in making that well-being a reality.
How Greenspace Can Boost Your Health
This short animated video explores the positive impacts that nature has on our health and well-being such as decreasing chronic conditions such as asthma and strokes.