About PERL

To learn more, check out this presentation by PERL director, Dorothy Ibes.

The Parks & Ecotherapy Research Lab (PERL) (formerly "Parks Research Lab") is directed by Dr. Dorothy Ibes, under the Environmental Science & Policy program at William & Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia.

PERL's mission is to cultivate nature-connected communities that foster mental health, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. We do this primarily by:

  1. Conducting interdisciplinary, use-inspired research that enhances understanding of the connection between mental health and nature engagement;

  2. Applying current research to inclusive campus projects and programming that support diverse students in:

          1. Spending more time engaging with nature, both indoors and out, and

          2. Developing a meaningful relationship with the natural world.

  3. Inspiring and developing the next generation of practitioners, researchers, and advocates in the field of greenspace and nature therapy.

Ibes © 2022