Naomi Sachs

Naomi A. Sachs is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture and Founding Director of the Therapeutic Landscapes Network (www.healinglandscapes.org). Her research and teaching focus on the positive role of nature in human health and well-being.

Current collaborators include scholars at Cornell University, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Stanford University, the US Air Force Academy, USDA Forest Service, University of Virginia, and University of Washington. Current research projects include exploring the value of nature in healthcare environments; translating research into practice for evidence-based design; the role of urban greenspace in reducing violent crime; the connection between nature and happiness; the role of gardening and time outdoors during COVID-19; and pre-and post-occupancy evaluations using her Healthcare Garden Evaluation Toolkit (H-GET).

Outside of UMD Dr. Sachs is Co-Editor of the peer-reviewed journal, Health Environments Research & Design and an Academic Scholar with the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures. She serves on the Campus Nature Rx Steering Committee; the Center for Health Design Research Coalition; and the Design Advisory Board and the DEI Committee for Nature Sacred. At UMD Dr. Sachs serves on the AGNR and PSLA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect Working Groups; the Nature Rx@UMD Steering Committee; and the PSLA Seminar Series Committee.