Parks Research Lab (PRL)
@ William & Mary
Helping you get your daily dose of nature
Recent Press 📣 🎉
RADIO: Listen to PRL Director, Dorothy Ibes, speak about urban parks and ecotherapy on public radio's "With Good Reason" (May 2021)
PODCAST: Check out the interview with PRL Director, Dorothy Ibes, on William & Mary's "Ways to Flourish" podcast.
Research on Mood and Campus Greenspace
PRL's director, Dorothy Ibes and Cathy Forestell (W&M Psychology), published a peer-reviewed article "The role of campus greenspace and meditation on college students’ mood" in April 2020 in the Journal of American College Health, demonstrating the mood-enhancing benefits of 20 minutes in a campus greenspace. Email dcibes@wm.edu for a full-text.
Film Release: "Nurture with Nature, A Story of Ecotherapy"
Check out the documentary short produced by PRL Director, Dorothy Ibes, and filmmaker Tanya Stadelmann. Stream @ nurturewithnaturefilm.com
Campus Greenspace Map
The W&M Campus Greenspace Map beta is live! Also find via the official William & Mary app
Are you a W&M Student interested in joining PRL?
PRL recruits W&M student interns and researchers each Fall and Spring. Applications are taken on a rolling basis and are reviewed 4-6 weeks before the start of each semester. Apply here!
Feature Story by Richard Louv: "Outdoors for All: Access to Nature is a Human Right"
"In May 2019, Richard Louv wrote a compelling cover story for Sierra Magazine, calling for recognition of nature as a basic human right for all people—and for recognition of the inherent rights of nature" (childrenandnature.org).
Promote DEI Outdoors
Check out the guide: ‘Anti-racism in the Outdoors: Resources related to inclusion, diversity, equity and access of black, indigenous, and people of color in parks and greenspaces.’
