LandscapeWebinars.org hosted a live and recorded session with Research Assistant Professor at University of Oregon's Gwynne Mhuireach on the scientific principles of environmental biodiversity and human health.

The course is now available OnDemand for viewing with option to purchase CEUs. Titled, "Landscape Architecture and Ecological Relationships" Mhuireach explained her research and subsequent results in a way that was not only applicable to the landscape industry but beneficial to leading a healthy life.
This webinar explored more than just simple design practices - it showed that science intersecting with landscape design leads to balanced biome.

Dr. Mhuireach's teaching style allows attendees to learn and derive their own opinions that are not only scientifically backed but beneficial to everyone. The session's Q&A proved this point. Making this course a can't miss CEU approved webinar.

 

Webinar Description:
Accumulating research has improved our understanding of soil microbial life and how it affects the growth, health, and survival of edible and ornamental plants. We have also begun to learn how exposure to environmental microbes from soil, plants, water, and animals can affect human health in both positive and negative ways. For example, increasing incidence of inflammatory diseases has been correlated with Western and urbanized lifestyles, which tend to have decreased access to outdoor nature, especially in lower income and marginalized communities.

However, since humans evolved for millennia in the presence of environmental microbes associated with living vegetation, soil, and water, our immune systems are not only adapted to coexist with most of these microbes but may even require that interaction to function properly.

In this webinar, Dr. Mhuireach will introduce the body of research investigating human exposure to environmental microbes and their potential health effects. As a single gram of soil can contain billions of microbes, some of which may have immune-promoting qualities, integrating healthy living soil into urban built environments could provide large-scale public health benefits. Prioritizing equitable and accessible green spaces in urban neighborhoods could augment urban dwellers' interaction with soils and their microbiota, thereby fostering healthy immune development.

Earn LA/CES HSW, APLD, PGMS, QWEL, and NALP CEUs.

Gwynne Mhuireach
Dr. Gwynne Mhuireach is a third-generation Oregon farmer, as well as a Research Assistant Professor at University of Oregon where she teaches courses in Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Dr. Mhuireach's research focuses on microbial communities associated with plants and soil in urban environments. Ultimately, she hopes to develop strategies that urban planners and designers can use to improve the design and management of future cities where the majority of global human populations will live.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn scientific principles connecting environmental (micro)biodiversity and human health.
2. Understand relationships between human and ecological health based on new knowledge about the importance of microbiomes.
3. Explore the role landscape architecture can play in keeping people healthy by designing for biodiversity.