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NatureScore®
NatureScore® measures the amount of health supporting natural elements for any location or polygon, and provides a numerical scale that ranges from 0 (largely built, less healthy environment) to 100 (largely natural, healthy environment).
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The considered elements are weighted to create the highest correlation with the predictive health impacts of given natural elements via a machine learning process.

Note that certain "natural" elements that have not demonstrated positive health correlations, like sand or rock, are therefore less valuable than live vegetation.

Additionally, to account for regional differences the weighting of natural elements varies (park space may be more impactful in Phoenix, while trees may be more impactful in Boston).

Nature Deficient
0 – 19.9

Low density of natural elements. Effort required for immersive nature exposure opportunities.

Nature Light
20 – 39.9

Moderate to low density of natural elements. Effort may be required for immersive nature exposure opportunities.

Nature Adequate
40 – 59.9

Balanced mix of natural and built environmental elements. Modest effort required for immersive nature exposure opportunities.

Nature Rich
60 – 79.9

Significant natural elements. Modest effort may be required for immersive nature exposure opportunities.

Nature Utopia
80 – 100

Abundant natural elements and nature exposure opportunities.

Go Deeper

Beyond census tracts, the NatureScore system can also provide more granular, custom data (down to 10-meter resolution). Data can be delivered for specific addresses, custom polygons, or in gridded city “heat-maps.” The NatureScore system can also be used to create predictive algorithms of nature’s impact on elements other than public health, including urban heat islands, real estate values, air quality, social/economic benefits, etc. Finally, the NatureScore Priority Index is also available, which layers in socio-economic data to identify areas of nature deficiency and other disadvantages.

NatureScore is currently available in North America with planned expansion to Europe and Australia.

Funding

This project was supported by the REI Cooperative Action Fund. The mission of the REI Cooperative Action Fund is to create a more equitable outdoors by bringing together the collective strength of our community.

REI Cooperative Action Fund

Publications

FEB 2024

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PMC10876217

Quantifying Nature: Introducing NatureScore™ and NatureDose™ as Health Analysis and Promotion Tools

View Publication

FEB 2023

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PMC10591842

Time in nature is associated with higher levels of positive mood: Evidence from the 2023 NatureDose™ student survey

View Publication

Sep 2022

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PMID36231578

Nature-Based Feasibility Intervention to Influence Mitigation Strategies for Perceived Stress

View Publication

Press

American Journal of Health Promotion

Quantifying Nature - New article in the American Journal for Health Promotion

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Quatifying-Nature-Introducing-NatureScore-NatureDose

Washington Post

Mapping America's access to nature, neighborhood by neighborhood

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Mapping-Americas-Access-To-Nature-NatureScore

Scientific American

Walks in Green Parks Mean Stronger Immune Systems and Better Mental Health

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Walks-In-Green-Parks-Mean-Stronger-Immune-Systems-And-Better-Mental-Health/

Environmental Research and Public Health

Nature and Mental Health in Urban Texas - A NatureScore-Based Study

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Nature-and-Mental-Health-in-Urban-Texas-A-NatureScore-Based-Study/

Arbor Day Foundation

Data From NatureQuant Sharpens Arbor Day Foundation's Urban Tree Planting Efforts

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Arbor-Day-Tree-Planting-With-NatureScore/

Environmental Health Perspectives

Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities in Multiple Measures of Blue and Green Spaces in the United States

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Racial-Ethnic-Socioeconomic-Disparities-Paper/

NatureQuant

Environmental Equity

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Environmental-Equity/

NatureQuant

Nature and Urban Heat Islands

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/NatureScore-Urban-Heat-Index/

Salt Lake Tribune

Utah's promise of a nature-rich landscape isn't equal for every resident

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Utahs-Promise-Nature-Rich/

Outside

Nature Is Medicine. But What's the Right Dose?

https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/naturequant-app-outdoor-data/?reflink=naturequant.com

American Heart Association

Nature Exposure and Cardiovascular Outcomes in a Large Metropolitan Area – Role of Access to Nature

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Role-of-Access-to-Nature

Toronto Star

Children Need More Green Time

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/Children-Need-More-Green-Time/

Wall Street Journal

For Better Health During the Pandemic, Is Two Hours Outdoors the New 10,000 Steps?

https://www.wsj.com/articles/for-better-health-during-the-pandemic-is-two-hours-outdoors-the-new-10-000-steps-11613304002

Environmental Psychology

Time in nature is associated with higher levels of positive mood

https://www.naturequant.com/blog/NatureDose-Time-In-Nature-Improved-Mood/

FAQ

What is NatureScore?

NatureScore measures the amount and quality of natural elements of any location using a patent-pending system. NatureScore delivers a score from 0 (largely built environment with little health benefit) to 100 (largely natural environment with material health benefits). For example, an urban neighborhood is typically below 30 while a forest will be over 70. For each census tract, NatureQuant analyzes and blends various data sets and processed information, including satellite infrared measurements, GIS and land classifications, park data and features, tree canopies, air, noise and light pollution, and computer vision elements (aerial and street images). The considered elements are weighted to create the highest correlation with the predictive health impacts of given natural elements via a machine learning process. Note that certain "natural" elements that have not demonstrated positive health correlations, like sand or rock, are therefore less valuable than live vegetation.

The NatureScore's on this website are provided in national rankings at the census tract level from 1 to 100. The 2020 census tract boundaries are used. NatureScores by state or city can be self created from the national dataset or delivered under separate request.

NatureScore Diagram
What methodology was used to create the NatureScore datasets?

The following article explains the methodology that was used to create the NatureScore Data:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/08901171231210806b
Can I request a different version of NatureScore?

NatureScore can be created for any custom polygon or single point with radius of examination around the selected point(s). If you have a research question in need of a different version of NatureScore please contact NatureQuant Open here.

How can I use NatureScore?

NatureScore can be used for several different purposes. NatureScore can be used for research purposes. For example, using NatureScore, Marekm et al (2023) found that the risk of mental health was higher in nature deficient communities.

NatureScore can be used for governmental or non-profit activity. For example, the Arbor Day Foundation uses NatureScore to deliver trees to the urban neighborhoods of highest need.

Given the known relationships between nature proximity and heath, health systems and health care providers can use NatureScore to target program delivery by geographic location based on the area of greatest disadvantage. For example, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) is currently prioritizing numerous forms of environmental determinants of health to target program delivery.

NatureScore can be used for Environmental Justice screening tools - many of which lack a measurement of the mix between built and natural environments.

Terms of Use

In downloading the NatureScore data sets from our site (collectively, the "Data") you acknowledge and agree that you and the organization you work for (you and your organization hereinafter collectively referred to as "You") are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferrable, non-sublicensable license to use for Your internal non-profit educational, and research purposes ("Authorized Uses").

The license granted hereunder does not include the right to sell, market, or otherwise commercially exploit, republish, or redistribute the Data or to use or disclose the Data for any other purpose not expressly authorized (collectively, "Unauthorized Use") without the express written permission of NatureQuant Open.

NatureQuant Open may terminate Your license for any reason, at its sole discretion.

You shall include the following citation in any use of the Data:

“National NatureScore by Census Tract by NatureQuant Open. [specify year]. Downloaded from www.naturequantopen.org.”

You may not otherwise use the names, logos, symbols, images, or other identifying marks ("Marks") of NatureQuant and NatureQuant Open in any publicity, advertising, or news release without prior written approval of NatureQuant Open.

You further acknowledge that except as prohibited by law, any Data delivered or accessed from www.naturequantopen.org is understood to be provided "AS IS."

NATUREQUANT OPEN MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. THERE ARE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR THAT THE USE OF THE DATA WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, OR OTHER PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.

You are responsible for any and all damages and liability associated with your use of the Data.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, YOU HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION AGAINST NATUREQUANT OPEN, AND ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE DATA AND ANY DECISIONS YOU MAY MAKE AS A RESULT OF USING THE DATA. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE NATUREQUANT OPEN, OR ITS OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, RELIANCE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ATTORNEYS' FEES HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, TORT OR OTHERWISE ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THE DATA EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE OR IF SUCH DAMAGES WERE FORESEEABLE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY, SO SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.