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Find us on : Happy Holidays from Healthy Parks Healthy People Central 2011 been a very exciting year so far for Healthy Parks Healthy People, with a number of exciting developments across the world: The Healthy by Nature forum will take place in Vancouver, Canada on 20-23 September. The forum will bring together a diverse group of professionals from across the world to focus on awareness building, partnership development and action planning based on the physical and mental health benefits of time spent in nature. See Healthy by Nature. The Medibank Community Fund is sponsoring a pilot HPHP program in the Australian city of Geelong, due to launch this (southern) Spring. The program will harness the authority of health care professionals and other people working in the community to refer people to parks for their health and wellbeing. See Medibank Community Fund The US National Parks Service has established Healthy Parks Healthy People US to promote the health and wellbeing of people and the sustainability of the planet. HPHP US has formed a number of exciting new partnerships and a summit was held in San Francisco in April to explore the connections between parks and human health. Institute at the Golden Gate has launched the Parks and Health Guide website, with the aim of bringing people and parks together. Endorse the Communiqué The Melbourne Communiqué is a key outcome of the International Healthy Parks Healthy People Congress 2010. We continue to offer the opportunity for you to personally endorse it, or endorse it on behalf of your organisation. You can view and endorse the Communiqué here. Latest Articles on HPHP Central Marco Castro Cosio — Life in Transit New York has always been known as a colourful city. Now, thanks to Marco Antonio Castro Cosio and his Bus Roots project, the city's streets just got a little bit greener. Latest Case Studies on HPHP Central Victoria Walks Victoria Walks wants people to walk for their health, happiness and for the planet. In the news - stories connecting nature and human health Can our cities ever be self-sustaining? The humble backyard vegie patch is back in vogue in the suburbs of Australia. But can growing spuds and greens in the cities really avert a coming food crisis? (ABC) Beekeeping takes flight in primary school Learning to look after bees has transformed the behaviour of unruly pupils, says headteacher. (The Guardian) A Walk in the Woods Evidence builds that time spent in the natural world benefits human health. (American Scientist) Nature 'is worth billions' to UK The UK's parks, lakes, forests and wildlife are worth billions of pounds to the economy, says a major report. (BBC) Mental Illness Rise Linked to Climate Rates of mental illnesses including depression and post-traumatic stress will increase as a result of climate change, a report to be released today says. (The Age)