Abstract
The goal of this paper is to introduce community gardening as a promising method of furthering well-being and resilience on
multiple levels: individual, social group, and natural environment. We examine empirical evidence for the benefits of gardening,
and we advocate the development and testing of social ecological models of community resilience through examination of the
impact of community gardens, especially in urban areas. The definition of community is extended beyond human social ties to include connections with other species and the earth itself, what Berry (1988) has called an Earth community. We discuss the potential contribution of an extensive network of community gardens to easing the global climate change crisis
and address the role of community psychologists in community gardening research and policy-oriented action.
multiple levels: individual, social group, and natural environment. We examine empirical evidence for the benefits of gardening,
and we advocate the development and testing of social ecological models of community resilience through examination of the
impact of community gardens, especially in urban areas. The definition of community is extended beyond human social ties to include connections with other species and the earth itself, what Berry (1988) has called an Earth community. We discuss the potential contribution of an extensive network of community gardens to easing the global climate change crisis
and address the role of community psychologists in community gardening research and policy-oriented action.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-010-9404-z
- Authors
- Heather A. Okvat, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 871104, 950 S. McAllister Ave., Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, USA
- Alex J. Zautra, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 871104, 950 S. McAllister Ave., Tempe, AZ 85287-1104, USA
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562