Healthy Communities

Healthy Communities - Washington Canal Park

Nature-centered policies make for healthier people and cities.

Direct nature experience is at the heart of Capital Nature’s mission. It is our core belief that every nature encounter, every walk in the woods, every bug observed, and every tree planted leads to greater understanding and appreciation for the natural world. At a time of climate change and species decline, this direct experience is one of the most important tools for a sustainable region.

Capital Nature engages with non-profit and private partners, government, professional associations, and educational institutions to develop biophilic, nature-centered initiatives that support human and community health.


Partnership with Mt Pleasant Village

Mt Pleasant VillageCapital Nature partners with one of DC's most active aging in place villages, Mt. Pleasant Village, to bring social nature programming to senior residents of this diverse neighborhood.


BlueGreen Resilience Corridors Working Group

Capital Nature co-facilitates a regional network of civic leaders, government and nonprofit professionals, and researchers envisioning biodiverse corridors to support human health and resilience at a time of climate change.


DC Master Naturalists

Capital Nature supports the University of the District of Columbia DC Master Naturalists program through classes and engagement programming. Following a semester of naturalist education, Master Naturalists serve as volunteers in their communities to improve ecosystem health, lead and contribute to stewardship activities, and educate their neighbors about the flora and fauna of DC.


Biophilia and Nature-Based Solutions

Biophilic Cities NetworkCapital Nature creates workshops, charrettes, and public programming that highlights the roles of nature for healthy communities. As Biophilic DC, we created a series of professional workshops on biophilic design for architects and planners. Capital Nature’s co-founder and executive director Stella Tarnay is a founding member of the Biophilic Cities Network.