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.
