How to Treat Nature Deficit Disorder in L.A. Without Getting on a Freeway

Studies have shown that getting exposed to natural environments is good for both mental and physical health. But getting that "Vitamin N" can be difficult, especially in sprawling metropolises like Los Angeles. L.A. County planner Clement Lau wrote a blog post that lists a few forms of nature appreciation many Angelinos overlook and can take advantage of when they don't have time to get to the mountains, beaches, or even parks. The following are excerpts of his descriptions:

Nature Centers 

There are numerous nature centers across Los Angeles County, some of which are operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).  One example is the Stoneview Nature Center which is an urban sanctuary nestled in the Blair Hills of Culver City with scenic views of the Los Angeles basin from the Santa Monica Mountains to the Hollywood Hills. . . 

Botanical Gardens

Los Angeles County is also home to numerous botanical gardens, such as The Arboretum, Descanso Gardens, and the South Coast Botanic Garden. . . 

Transit to Parks and Open Space

. . . Metro has been working on a Transit to Parks Strategic Plan which will be released later this year.  The Plan will address how the public can get better access to parks and open space areas and offer recommendations that focus on solutions for car-less, transit-dependent residents to get to the parks that they wish to explore.  These may include public shuttles, bike lanes, greenways, programmatic incentives, creative partnerships, non-traditional, or shared ride options. . . 

Nature on Wheels

. . . use of mobile museums . . . [o]ne example is the Friends of the Los Angeles River (FOLAR)’s River Rover . . . an interactive display table, touch beaver and coyote pelts, listen to the song of the Least Bell’s Vireo, and design the River as they want to see in the future.  Another example is the Natural History Museum (NHM)’s two mobile museums which offer archaeology and ocean experiences in 50-foot tractor trailers.  

For more detail, see the source article.