MArI

The Corona Virus 19 (COVID-19) disease outbreak that has occurred worldwide since March 2020 is causing a major public health crisis, daily routines’ disruptions, uncertainty, social isolation, economic loss, unemployment risk, etc. which affecting the whole society, single individuals, and families. The widespread social isolation, quarantine, and lockdown measures adopted in the attempt to contain the infection spreading caused high levels of psychological distress, unfavorably influencing mental health by compromising emotional and cognitive functioning. The strategy for dealing with these problems is one of the greatest challenges faced worldwide. One solution that can be offered to overcome these problems is to apply a “green prescription” in which people are advised to leave the house to enjoy nature or do activities in nature because human interaction with the natural surroundings can cause a feeling of comfort.

With this “green prescription”, it can be said that the health and wellness of today’s communities is highly rely on trees, green spaces, city parks, and forests. As indoor public recreation facilities have closed to slow the spread of COVID-19, the use of outdoor recreation facilities has been a social distancing appropriate alternative – such as hiking, biking, camping, fishing, birdwatching and nature walks. Being in forests or parks with trees offers tremendous benefits for human physical, mental and spiritual health. Spending time in forests, parks or simply looking at trees, helps to boost immune systems, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, improves mood and relaxation.  

Considering the importance of trees, green spaces, city parks, and urban forests, the sustainability of research management on trees in urban or residential areas requires good governance, which is closely related to regulatory aspects, stakeholder participation and arboriculture development. Therefore, as a follow-up to this issue, the Indonesian Arboricultural Society (Masyarakat Arborikultur Indonesia/MArI) and Malaysian Society of Arborist (Persatuan Arboris Malaysia/PArM) will hold an international arboriculture symposium (The International Symposium on Arboriculture in the Tropics) with the theme of Trees and Human Health which needs to be implemented in order to realize the understanding to improve research, training and advocacy on the role of trees, green spaces, city parks, and urban forests at national and international levels and to expand and strengthen networks communication and cooperation both at the national and international levels between academia or government researchers, as well as the business world in creating an environmentally friendly city, especially in the tropics. The International Symposium on Arboriculture in the Tropics: Trees and Human Health (ISATrop 2021), which will be held on 21-22 June 2021, is also commemorate Environment day.

The International Symposium on Arboriculture in the Tropics aims to gather information about the importance of trees, green spaces, city parks, and urban forests’ roles in supporting human health as well as strengthen the commitment of various stakeholders to care for nature.

The International Symposium on Arboriculture in the Tropics aims to gather information about the importance of trees, green spaces, city parks, and urban forests’ roles in supporting human health as well as strengthen the commitment of various stakeholders to care for nature.