What began as an informal collaboration between University of Washington researchers and the outdoors and conservation industries to study the health impact of the environment is now leading to financial support for forests and public lands.

UW’s Nature and Health initiative, directed by School of Environmental and Forest Sciences Professor Josh Lawler, helps government organizations land funding for multi-million dollar projects. The program was profiled in the Geekwire story.

“Take the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, or Snohomish County, for example,” reports GeekWire in a recent story. “The two recently secured $18 million and $22 million in funding and grants, respectively, due in large part to data collected by Nature and Health researchers.”

“Lawler told GeekWire he’s passionate about using research and science to impact people and communities outside of academia,” the story reads. “These interests suit Lawler well as director of Nature and Health, as collaboration and the desire to benefit people are fundamental to the initiative.”

Read the full story here.