Mardie Townsend is an honorary associate professor at Deakin University's faculty of health. She investigates the benefits of contact with nature for human health and wellbeing. She works in collaboration with Parks Victoria and other partner organisations. She has recently conducted an investigation of health and wellbeing outcomes of differing levels of access to nature for residents of high-rise housing. She has also studied the mental health benefits of hands-on nature based activities in primary schools; a nature based intervention program for people suffering depression.
