Can Trees Be Medicine? | How To Academy

Thu, 5 June 2025

6:15 pm - 7:30 pm BST

Can Trees Be Medicine?

Kathy Willis, Oxford Professor of Biodiversity

Does nature really have the power to heal the body and the mind? Oxford Professor of Biodiversity Kathy Willis reveals the science behind nature’s impact on our well-being.

Can trees be medicine? Can a walk in the park heal more than just a bad mood? Groundbreaking research says yes—nature isn’t just a backdrop to our lives, it’s a powerful force for our health. From lowering stress to speeding up recovery in hospitals, the natural world is quietly working wonders on our bodies and minds. But as cities sprawl and green spaces disappear, are we cutting ourselves off from something essential?

Join Professor Kathy Willis, Oxford scientist and author of Good Nature, as she reveals the science behind nature’s healing power. We’ll talk about how tiny changes, like adding a plant to your desk, strolling through a forest, or even just touching bark, can have a measurable impact on your well-being.

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Katherine Willis

Biologist

Katherine Willis CBE is Professor of Biodiversity in the department of Biology and the Principal of St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford. She is also a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords. Previous roles include Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and a member of the UK Government’s Natural Capital Committee. She has extensive broadcast experience and, in 2015, Kathy was awarded the Michael Faraday Medal for public communication of science from the Royal Society.