Stories of Trees

In the inaugural episode of Stories of Trees, host Stacy Whittle sits down with renowned social scientist Dr. Kathy Wolf to explore the profound relationship between trees, human health, and community wellbeing. Drawing from more than three decades of research, Kathy explains how nearby nature impacts us from “cradle to grave,” shaping everything from stress reduction and mental health to social connection and place attachment. The conversation moves through urban forestry, stewardship, spiri...

What if planting trees could improve public health at the neighborhood scale? In this episode of Stories of Trees, host Stacy Whittle talks with Dr. Ray Yeager, a health geographer at the University of Louisville whose work explores the links between place, environment, and human health. Ray explains how urban trees affect everything from air quality and heat exposure to stress, inflammation, and long-term health outcomes. The conversation centers on the groundbreaking Green Heart Project i...

In this episode of Stories of Trees, host Stacy Whittle speaks with Dr. Laurie Fox of Virginia Tech about a lifetime spent studying, protecting, and learning from trees. Laurie shares childhood memories of climbing trees with her sister, collecting leaf mold with her grandmother, and eventually building a career in horticulture and extension education. The conversation explores the emotional and practical importance of trees in our neighborhoods, from stormwater protection and biodiversity to...