What are we overlooking in kids’ <a href="https://lumeamara.online/?p=4676" title="Beyond Self-Care: Workplace Approaches to <a href="https://lumeamara.online/?p=4669" title="Caminar Opens New Teen and Family Wellness Center in Palo Alto to Expand Access to Youth Mental Health Care”>Mental Health“>mental health? Playing outside! | Opinion
Paul Abbey
Guest opinion
July 25, 2026, 6:01 a.m. ET
- Too often, conversations about trees and green spaces are framed solely as environmental issues.
- Green spaces are also places where children can decompress, explore, recharge and develop a healthier relationship with themselves and the world around them.
- We should be looking for every opportunity to bring nature closer to where children live, learn and play.
For many of us, some of our earliest and best memories happened outdoors. We explored wooded areas, played in neighborhood parks and learned about the natural world through firsthand experience. Those moments didn’t just shape our appreciation for nature. They shaped our sense of connection and belonging
Today, those experiences are becoming less common at a time when children may need them most
As communities acknowledge growing concerns about children’s mental health and well-being, we should also be paying attention to another trend: Most young people spend less time in nature than previous generations
While there is no single solution to mental health challenges, helping children reconnect with the outdoors may be one of the most accessible and impactful opportunities available
Research increasingly points to the value of green spaces for children’s health and development. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spending time outdoors can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Additional studies have also linked exposure to natural environments with improved attention, emotional regulation, and mental health outcomes for children
While being in nature is certainly not a cure-all, it is an important and often overlooked part of the equation
Too often, conversations about trees and green spaces are framed solely as environmental issues. We talk about cleaner air, stormwater management, urban heat reduction and wildlife habitat. Those benefits are true and significant. But if we stop there, we miss something equally important: green spaces are also places where children can decompress, explore, recharge and develop a healthier relationship with themselves and the world around them.
That is why access to nature needs to be viewed not only as an environmental priority, but as a public health priority. If we are serious about supporting children’s overall well-being, we should be paying attention to the environments where they spend their time
Here in Northern Ohio, we have an opportunity to think differently about how we create those connections
Over the last few years, Rooted in Trees– my nonprofit that works to restore the native tree canopy in Northern Ohio – has undertaken many tree-planting projects, including partnering with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to establish the first Mini Forest at a zoo in the United States. More than 800 native trees and shrubs were planted in a space roughly the size of a tennis court, creating a dense woodland ecosystem that will grow rapidly in the years ahead. The forest itself is important, but the connection it creates may be even more valuable.
For the students who join Rooted in Trees on our planting days, these projects offer something that cannot be replicated in a classroom. Participants put their hands in the soil, work alongside their peers, and become part of something larger than themselves. Years from now, they will be able to visit those trees and know they helped create something that lasts. That connection matters
When a child plants a tree or spends time in a green space, they are doing more than enjoying the outdoors. They are building habits and experiences that support well-being, resilience and a lasting connection to their community
Our challenge is to create more opportunities for children to engage with nature
Whether through parks, neighborhood tree plantings or innovative projects like the Mini Forest, we should be looking for every opportunity to bring nature closer to where children live, learn and play
As we work to support children’s mental health and well-being, we should not overlook one of the most accessible tools available to us. Every tree we plant, every green space we protect, and every opportunity we create for children to connect with nature is an investment in healthier, more resilient future generations
Paul Abbey is the founder of Rooted in Trees (rootedintrees.org), a non-profit organization established in 2020 which works to restore and preserve the native tree canopy in Northern Ohio. Under his leadership, the organization focuses on community engagement and education, and undertakes tree planting initiatives to combat canopy loss and enhance environmental health.
