May 7th

By Mutt Mulligan

Study: green space boosts brain development in kids

A new study out of UCLA indicates that exposure to green space during childhood results in a greater volume of white and grey matter in certain areas of the brain. These differences are associated with higher scores on cognitive tests.

To conduct the research, scientists studied 253 school kids in Barcelona. The children’s lifelong exposure to residential green space was estimated using satellite imagery. Subsequently, the scientists studied the children’s brain anatomy and conducted memory and inattentiveness tests.

The findings suggest exposure to green space early in life could result in beneficial structural changes in the brain. Kids with higher volumes of white and grey matter in certain parts of their brains were found to score higher on cognitive tests and demonstrate better attentiveness.

This is just one more reason living landscapes are good for people (as well as pets and the planet!). Learn more by visiting SaveLivingLandscapes.com.