About the Plants, Nature and Health Initiative

The Plants, Nature and Health Initiative, PNHI, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture is a growing interdisciplinary program dedicated to advancing research, education, and outreach on the vital connections between human well-being and the natural world. Funded by the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, PNHI has established a steering committee to assess resources and guide strategic planning. Leaders from multiple disciplines have come together to shape a three-year vision and annual action plan.  Key themes include nature’s health benefits, walking interventions, economic impacts, and community education. 

Mission Statement 

The Plants, Nature and Health Initiative, PNHI, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture cultivates interdisciplinary research, education and outreach to explore and promote the vital connections between human well-being and the natural world. We strive to understand and enhance the positive impacts of plants and nature on physical, mental and social health, fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for all. 

Vision Statement 

We envision a future where the profound benefits of plants and nature are fully integrated into our lives, communities and healthcare systems, leading to a healthier, more resilient and thriving society for all. 

Short-Term Goals of the Plants, Nature and Health Initiative 

1. Facilitate collaborative research and outreach that advances the science regarding health and well-being benefits associated with human-plant interactions of all kinds. 

2. Serve as a short-term structure for collaboration among faculty in departments, centers, institutes, colleges and agencies that are already doing work in this area. 

3. Develop a strategic roadmap in conjunction with external partners for expanding the awareness of and appreciation for the current and future research and outreach efforts with the Texas A&M University System and agency collaborators being recognized as world-wide leaders in this area. 

4. Develop a complete inventory of faculty and projects at the Texas A&M University System and agencies/ affiliates and be a vehicle for initiating and fostering additional linkages between the Texas A&M University System, other universities and external partners. 

5. In the longer term, determine the best organizational structure for the initiative going forward that is compelling and encompasses the breadth of the work being done. 

Events

October 2023: “Horticulture & Wellness” Brainstorming Event

Representatives from all across the Texas A&M System working in this subject matter area came together for a half-day brainstorming session to: (1) share a short summary of their mission and direction, as well as major research, outreach projects, or other banner programs; (2) ideate regarding potential collaborations among the entities represented to mitigate redundancies and/or capture synergies; and (3) identify unique or novel ways to enhance knowledge transfer and/or educate clientele as to the benefits of plants and greenscapes in improving mental and physical health. To set the stage for the meeting, Dr. Jay Maddock presented the Ellison Chair Distinguished Lecture the day prior entitled “Exploring the plant, greenspace, and human health connection.” (link provided below)

Distinguished lecture by Dr. Maddock to frame the issue

Introduction to the project

• • The Why:  The need and purpose of the project
  • Potential internal TAMU and Agency partners identified
  • Brainstorming event attendees
  • Brainstorming session agenda and intro slides
  • Brainwriting instructions and ideation sheet

Outcomes of the brainstorming session

1. 1. All 207 unique ideas generated and add-on notes
   2. The top 3 rated ideas from each table (summarized on the flipcharts)
   3. The final list of ideas after consolidating those with similar themes and removing duplication
   4. Full directory of potential internal partners identified to date
   5. Participants who stated interest in collaborating on the final list of ideas

• • Appendix A:  Original brainwriting worksheets
  • Appendix B:  Original flipcharts with green dots
  • Appendix C:  1-page primer on plants and wellness benefits
  • Appendix D:  News release regarding the brainstorming session

October 2024: Mini-Symposium 

Short presentations were made by individuals that had expressed an interest in working on the Initiative after the October 2023 brainstorming session.

Recording of “lightning talks” given by those interested in the Initiative.
Proposal to create the Initiative.
Brainstormed list of potential research and outreach projects.
Directory of those interested in the Initiative.

January 2025: Strategic Planning Session

Draft version of the PNHI strategic plan.
Directory of current and proposed PNHI members/affiliates.
Draft agenda for the January 9 strategic planning session.
Draft goals of the Initiative.
Network analysis provided by Dr. Meg Patterson.
Lightning talks by selected PNHI team members.