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The restorative effects of nature in enhancing human well-being are well documented. However, the effects of exposure to a green environment on health in institutional settings have not been adequately studied. Our study describes the relationship between the reported frequency of visits to an outdoor green environment and self-rated health, including hindrances experienced during outdoor visits among older people living in a nursing home. Forty-five women assessed their health and answered a questionnaire containing the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) during an interview. A strong positive association was established between the reported frequency of visiting outdoors and self-rated health even when taking into account health-related distresses measured using the NHP (B = 0.235, P < 0.01). The main hindrances related to outdoor visits were lack of assistance and uncomfortable weather conditions. The results suggest that it might be possible to promote the well-being of older individuals living in nursing homes by providing them with opportunities to visit outdoor green environments. By increasing the accessibility and attractiveness of the outdoor environment, the frequency of outdoor visits could increase, resulting in better perceived health. Implementation of environmental interventions that facilitate year-round outdoor visits are recommended.

Depression is a major health problem among the elderly. Its prevalence is high among those in long-term care. Exposure to the garden environment may alleviate depressive symptoms, but there is little research evidence to confirm this hypothesis. In this study we investigated the perceived effects and meanings related to garden visits among older individuals living in long-term care and assessed whether there are associations between experiences from garden visits and self-rated depression. Data were gathered by surveying 30 elderly people living in Kustaankartano, a nursing home and service center for elderly people in Helsinki, Finland. Prevalence of self-rated depression was high; 46% of the participants were depressed. Both being in the garden and seeing it from the balcony and observing nature were of great significance for most of the participants. For more than half of the participants, visiting the garden improved mood, quality of sleep, and ability to concentrate; it generated feelings of recovery and promoted peace of mind. Affective effects of visiting the garden tended to be more pronounced among the depressed than among those not depressed. The depressed did not consider social interaction and participation in social activities very important for their well-being. Depression tended to be related to perception of the residents that they experienced hindrances and distresses associated with visiting the garden. Although there were indicative differences between the depressed and nondepressed participants in garden experiences, the results suggest that visiting the garden may affect the subjective well-being of both groups positively.

This study, informed by phenomenology and ethnography, explores urban children's relationship with trees in a garden camp context: what are trees for urban children? Studying Finnish 7-to 12-year-old children, the research employed triangulation: participant and non-participant observation methods with mixed data collection over the course of three years. Engaging in grounded theory analysis after an intermission, the study unites the theoretical constructs of affordance and connectedness to place. Based on empirical observations, this study provides a theoretical framework to clarify the phased process of how urban children's connectedness to place is evolving. Exploitation of tree affordances during place-based play reflected connectedness to place; utilization of trees became more versatile over time. The results showed trees to be intriguing and multifaceted, satisfying many of the children's private and social needs. Trees provided the materials, space and often purpose and contents for the actual play that could not have thrived without them. In addition, children learned to manage possible tree-related risks mainly from experience and through scaffolding with peers. Recommendations for supporting beneficial nature contact emphasize allowing childdirected, place-based play time and planning biodiverse, low-maintenance spaces with a wide variety of trees that will invite children to use green spaces according to their needs.