Staff
Liz O’Brien
BSc, PhD
BSc, PhD
Liz is currently leading a four-year programme on ‘Valuing and governing forest ecosystem services,’ which is interdisciplinary. Liz was involved in the United Kingdom National Ecosystem Assessment Follow-on project on the ‘shared, plural and cultural values of ecosystems’. She has recently been a work package leader on an EU Cost Action on the social and environmental benefits of green infrastructure, leading a team focused on socio-cultural benefits.
Dr Liz O’Brien joined Forest Research in 2000, after completing a PhD at the University of Central Lancashire which involved research into land management and environmental conservation practices of organisations, landowners and farmers.
Her research experience and interests over the past few years concern the well-being benefits that people gain from engagement with trees, woodlands and green spaces at a variety of different levels of activity from ‘hands on’ engagement, such as volunteering, to using and being in woodlands through walking, cycling etc. This aspect of Liz’s work focuses particularly on health and restoration in terms of physical, mental and social health, and also on education and learning particularly through approaches to outdoor learning. She is interested in how the benefits people gain can potentially lead to wider impacts on individual’s lives, and community development and capacity building. Liz is increasingly involved in evaluations of programmes and interventions aimed at engaging a wide variety of groups with nature and focused on sustaining or changing behaviours. These include evaluations of the Grow Wild Programme for the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the Active Forest programme for Forest Enterprise England and the Westonbirt Arboretum community inclusion programme.
She has also been involved in a number of other interdisciplinary projects with ecologists, economists, psychologists, biologists and finds this a particularly important way of gaining different perspectives, understanding other approaches and methods, and seeing how these can be incorporated into new research. She has and is collaborating with many countries on research and in the exchange and development of evidence and ideas.
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH
UK
Trees, woods, and forests provide multiple benefits to society, including those of social and cultural value. This research outlines a scoping study which sought to identify and test methods for spatially mapping and surveying the recreation attitudes and behaviours of people living in an area around Cannock Chase National Landscape.
This research project aimed to improve the representation and understanding of the social and cultural values of treescapes in plant health policy. Existing evidence on the social and cultural values of treescapes by publics tends to be limited in scope, for example to recreation, aesthetics, or health values.
Feel Good in the Forest is a social prescribing pilot project run by Forestry England. It is part of a wider programme called Active Forests. The pilot aimed to address barriers to participation in forest-based activities and engage inactive and fairly active people with mild to moderate health conditions.
Research project to gather evidence to better understand, enable and support public access to woodlands in England. There are currently evidence gaps in meeting the aims of the England Tree Action Plan and the forthcoming Woodland Access Implementation Plan. This research will contribute directly to the delivery and implementation of the plans.
In this project we explored what hinders and enables researchers, policymakers and practitioners in their work protecting native trees and forests in New Zealand/Aotearoa and Wales/Cymru. This is an international collaborative project between the two countries called Post-colonial biosecurity possibilities.
This research aimed to explore people’s engagement with trees and woodlands, as well as wider nature, before and during the Covid-19 restrictions of spring to autumn 2020. There was an increase in social media traffic outlining the benefits of engaging with local nature spaces and a greater awareness of how much people can value and rely on nature to support their wellbeing.
The Nature Integration Programme facilitates sustainable integration of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants into society. Many of these groups have been taken in by Sweden in recent years.
Our research explores the value of different tree and forest ecosystem services and uses innovative methods to identify and capture those values
This research provides new insights into how to recognise and understand the value of ecosystem services provided by trees and forests.
NHS Greenspace in Scotland is being developed through a series of demonstration projects at different hospital sites. Staff, patients, visitors and local communities are the beneficiaries of improvements to NHS Greenspace.
Research exploring evidence for land manager perceptions and understandings of the concept of payments for ecosystem services, the use of formal and informal networks and the ways in which land managers learn from others.
Forest Research has produced a study which evaluates the impacts delivered by UK i-Tree Eco projects on the awareness, management and policy of urban forests. The study found some projects achieved significant impacts including informing tree and woodland policies and justifying greater investment in tree management. However the study also identified challenges which limited impacts of some projects, including difficulty in communicating results and the low priority of urban forests for local governments. The study provides recommendations to overcome these challenges to help guide the design and delivery of future i-Tree Eco projects.
In 2017 the social scientists at Forest Research undertook an evaluation of the Mission Invertebrate programme run by The Royal Parks in London.
The Forestry Commission wanted to understand more about how visitors to Bedgebury use the Pinetum and wider forest. Forest Research social scientists investigated the experiences and opinions of visitors to Bedgebury through a series of focus groups and trail walks with participants through the forest.
Evaluation of Westonbirt Arboretum Community Inclusion programme and Visitor Experience programme by Forest Research
Cultural ecosystem services are identified as the benefits people gain from their interactions with different environmental spaces, such as woods or parks, and the activities, such as walking and cycling, they undertake in these spaces.
Shared values of ecosystem services, their importance and methods to enable their formation and expression.
Green Infrastructure - European network. Social environmental and economic benefits of green infrastructure.
The research focuses on children and young people’s engagement with trees, woodlands and wider nature and the barriers to, and opportunities, for further engagement.
This page summarises the findings of a Forest Research study to document people’s woodland experiences at four peri-urban case study sites.
Reviewing the Forest Education Initiative across Britain and the activities of the cluster groups that carry out education projects and activities
The page summarises the findings from Forest Research’s literature review and case study analyses on the social, cultural and organisational aspects of adaptive forest management and the impact of innovation in this area.
This page summarises Forest Research’s evaluation of the Neroche Landscape Partnership Scheme.
This page summarises Forest Research’s study of volunteering in public forests in Scotland and Wales.
This page summarises Forest Research’s review of methods and tools used by forest managers and practitioners to estimate visitor numbers, visit frequencies and total visits to woodlands.
This page summarises findings and recommendations from a Forest Research study into how participation in woodland events and activities generates cultural value. The study also reviewed how woodland stakeholders measure this value and how it influences their plans and decisions.
This page summarises the findings of Forest Research’s review of evidence relating to formal education and learning outdoors, with specific focus on educational activities in or about trees, woods and forests.
This page summarises findings from Forest Research’s review of empirical research on the role of trees, woods and forests in urban areas, especially regarding people’s health.
This page summarises Forest Research’s findings on people’s perceptions and expectations of the public forest estate (PFE) managed by the Forestry Commission.
This page summarises findings from Forest Research’s study into the perceptions and attitudes of children and young people to climate change.
A one-year collaborative network of researchers and public sector/policy representatives to examine the relationship between individuals’ health and well-being and their use of the outdoors.
This page summarises findings from Forest Research’s study of volunteers involved in projects and activities at woodland sites.
This page summarises findings from Forest Research’s study of five woodland sites in Scotland to understand why some people do not use woodlands for leisure and physical activity.
This page summarises Forest Research’s evaluation of the Wye Wood project in Hertfordshire.
This page summarises findings from Forest Research’s evaluation of the outcomes and impacts from Forestry Commission Offenders and Nature (O&;N) schemes.
This page is about Forest Research’s evaluation of five projects funded by Active England to increase participation in physical activity and sport and raise exercise levels among key target groups.
The page summarises Forest Research’s evaluation of four improvement projects in the West Midlands.
This page summarises Forest Research’s evaluation of the Chopwell Wood health project, a partnership between the Forestry Commission, Gateshead Primary Care Trust, Derwentside Primary Care Trust and the Friends of Chopwell Wood.
This page is about Forest Research’s joint seminar with Lancashire Constabulary, CABE Space and English Nature to understand how fears of anti-social behaviour and personal safety affect public use of woods, forests and open spaces.
The page summarises a project involving Forest Research to engage and involve residents of the Peabody Hill housing estate in enjoying and improving a small local wood.
This page summarises findings from the ‘Forests, trees and human health and well-being’ project, funded by the EU’s COST programme.
This page summarises Forest Research’s study of Hill Holt Wood as a social enterprise providing community involvement, training and education.
The page summarises findings from the collaborative European research project ‘Visualisation tools for public participation in managing landscape change’ (VISULANDS), funded by the EU’s Fifth Framework Programme (FP5).
The page summarises findings from the ‘Using social approaches in coal ash remediation’ (RECOAL) project, funded by the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).
The page summarises the main findings and outputs from the ‘Sustainability impact assessment tools for multifunctional land use’ (SENSOR) project, funded by the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).
The page summarises outputs from Forest Research’s studies of public involvement and engagement in forest planning and design.
This page summarises Forest Research’s insights into the social and cultural value that people from northwest and southeast England place on woods and forests.
This page summarises the main findings established through seminars on policy, practice, research and promotion in the field of health and well-being from woodlands and natural spaces.
This page summarises findings from an evaluation of two Forest School projects by the New Economics Foundation.
This review aims to answer the question “what are the public perspectives of woodland creation, expansion, management and maintenance?” (where woodland is taken to refer to trees in any location and context). Using a combination of structured search strings and key word searches, the search process uncovered 81 relevant publications from 15 countries, published between 1996 and 2021 (inclusive). Given the policy ambitions for tree planting and woodland expansion across Great Britain, from the United Kingdom (UK), Welsh and Scottish Governments, the findings from this review are timely. The findings provide valuable evidence of possible public reactions to new planting, afforestation and changes to management, and identify gaps in the evidence where further work is required.
Trees, Woodlands and Natural Spaces This publication provides a synopsis of presentations and workshop discussions from three expert consultations held on “Health and Well-being: Trees, Woodlands and Natural Spaces” in Scotland, England and Wales in 2002.
Report from a study exploring people’s connection with trees, woodlands and wider nature before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. An online survey ran from mid-June until the end of July 2020. This publication reports on the findings of the survey.
This study is the first attempt to provide national estimates of the natural capital value of the mental health benefits provided by UK woodlands.
This summary report of a survey undertaken to explore engagement with nature during the Covid-19 restrictions highlights the important role of nature and woodlands in supporting people's wellbeing through the Covid pandemic.
This report reviews and summarises some of the key evidence from around the world on values associated with ash trees, and the management decisions about both ash dieback and emerald ash borer. The evidence on values focuses on historical, social and cultural values while the parts on management decisions looks at actual decisions taken as […]
This was a joint collaborative piece of work between Natural Resources Wales, Forest Research, Natural England, NatureScot and the Environment Agency. It aimed to bring together and summarise research conducted in each organisation concerning how people, both adults and children, visited green and blue natural spaces during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and their experiences […]
Evaluation of the impacts of I-Tree eco surveys in the UK
The Rapid Evidence Assessment considers the following: The impact of policy tools – grants, subsidies, programmes, provision of advice – on the response of land managers to tree pests and diseases The potential of formal networks to act as disseminators of information and knowledge, and mediators of change.
Study evaluating the experiences of participants of Observatree, a Tree Health Early Warning System which engages volunteers in surveying for tree pests and diseases, thereby supporting efforts to protect woodlands and forests.
This Research Report looks at a broad range of urban forest-based ecosystem services and disservices and, using a literature review, links their provision with four aspects of urban forests (physical scale, physical structure and context in terms of location and proximity to people and land use and ownership). A key objective of this report is […]
There is increasing evidence that contact with nature provides a wide variety of benefits for children. These include physical, mental and social well-being benefits as well as a wide range of learning opportunities and the chance to develop an interest in and understanding of nature. At the same time, there is increasing global concern that […]
A review of existing literature on public access by Star Molteno, Jake Morris and Liz O’Brien. Related pages People, trees and woodlands Social forestry research
Report that identifies key evidence themes and evidence gaps and urban regeneration, place-shaping and making programmes in Great Britain in which trees have played the fundamental role. October 2010. By Amy Stewart and Liz O’Brien.
Final report from study to identify and explore research relating to education and learning outdoors. A particular focus of the review was on learning that takes place in woods as well as learning that focuses on trees and woods. By Rebecca Lovell and Liz O’Brien and Roz Owen.
Evaluation report that provides a detailed account of how the scheme ran and evidence of the impacts it had on a range of partners, participants and members of the surrounding local communities and that draws out key insights and lessons learnt from the scheme’s governance structure and processes. By Claudia Carter, Liz O’Brien and Jake Morris.
A review of the Forestry Commission's estate in England as part of a study to show how the estate contributes to society today and how it might sustainably serve society's long-term needs. By Anna Lawrence, Claudia Carter, Liz O’Brien and Rebecca Lovell. Related pages People, trees and woodlands Social forestry research
A review of the Forestry Commission's estate in England as part of a study to show how the estate contributes to society today and how it might sustainably serve society's long-term needs. By Anna Lawrence, Claudia Carter, Liz O’Brien and Rebecca Lovell.
Final report from study to provide evidence of the public value of the Forestry Commission Public Forest Estate in England and establish whether people have different perceptions and expectations of publicly owned forests compared to those in other forms of ownership. By Claudia Carter, Anna Lawrence, Rebecca Lovell and Liz O’Brien.
Results of a research project aiming to provide a comprehensive valuation of the current social and economic benefits of Scottish forestry, forests and woodlands derived by the people of Scotland. By David Edwards, Jake Morris, Liz O’Brien, Vadims Sarajevs and Gregory Valatin. Forestry Commission Research Note 102. Related pages People, trees and woodlands Social forestry research
An introductory paper to the concept of ‘Social Forestry’. By Paul Tabbush, Liz O'Brien, Max Hislop and Suzanne Martin. Related pages People, trees and woodlands Social forestry research
Valuing and governing forest ecosystem services
Role: Programme Manager
Green infrastructure – European network
Role: Work package leader
Trees and woodlands for well-being
Role: Programme Manager
Active Forest Programme Evaluation
Role: Evaluation lead
Cultural ecosystem services, shared values and wellbeing
Role: Programme manager
Children and young people’s engagement with nature
Role: Programme manager
Land manager and community woodland research
Role: Programme participant
Peer reviewed journal articles
O’Brien, L. 2019. Carrying out physical activity as part of the Active Forests programme in England: what encourages, supports and sustains activity? – a qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 16(24), 5118
Raum, S, Hand KL Hall C., Edward, D., O’Brien L, Doick, K. 2019. Achieving impact from ecosystem assessment and valuation of urban greenspace: The case of i-Tree Eco in Great Britain. Landscape and Urban Planning, 190: 103590.
O’Brien, L. Ambrose-Oji, B. Wheeler, B. 2019. Mental health and wellbeing: The contribution of trees and forests to diverse populations in Britain. RFF – Numéro 23-4 – 2018 Spécial forêts et santé publique
Kurt Jax, Melania Calestanid, Kai M.A. Chanb, Uta Esere, Hans Keunef, Barbara Muracag, Liz O`Brien, Thomas Potthasti, Lieske Voget-Kleschinj, and Heidi Wittmerc. 2018. Caring for nature matters: a relational approach for understanding nature’s contributions to human well-being. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 35: 22-29.
O’Brien, L. 2018. Engaging with and shaping nature: a nature-based intervention for those with mental health and behavioural problems at the Westonbirt Arboretum in England. International Journal for Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10), 2214
O’Brien, L. De Vreese, R, Kern, M, Sievanen, T, Stojanova, B. Atmis, E. (2017). Cultural ecosystem benefits of urban and peri-urban green infrastructure across different European Countries. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 24: 236-248.
O’Brien, L. Morris, J. Mazarno, M and Dandy, N. (2016) Promoting sustainability behaviours through forestry. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research 90: 88-98.doi: 10.1093/forestry/cpw030
Irvine, K., O’Brien, L., Ravenscroft, N., Cooper, N., Everard, M., Fazey, I., Reed, M., Kenter, J.O. 2016. Ecosystem services and the idea of shared values. Ecosystem Services 21, 184-193.
Kenter, J.O., Reed, M. S., Irvine, K.N., O’Brien, E., Bryce, R., Christie, M., Cooper, N., Hockley, N., Fazey, I., Orchard-Webb, J., Ravenscroft, N., Raymond, C.M., Tett, P., Watson, V. 2016. Shared values and deliberative valuation: Future directions. Ecosystem Services 21, 358-371.
Skar, M. Gunderson, V and O’Brien, L (2016) How to engage children with nature: why not just let them play? Children’s Geographies, 14: 527-540.
Skar, M. Gunderson, V and O’Brien, L (2016) Why do children not play in nearby nature? Results from a Norwegian survey. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning,16: 239-255
Gunderson, V. Skar, M. O’Brien, L, Wold, L. Follo, G. (2016) Children and nearby nature: A nationwide parental survey from Norway. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 17: 116-125.
Jasper O. Kenter, Liz O’Brien, Neal Hockley, Neil Ravenscroft, Ioan Fazey, Katherine N. Irvine, Mark S. Reed, Michael Christie, Emily Brady, Rosalind Bryce, Andrew Church, Nigel Cooper, Althea Davies, Anna Evely, Mark Everard, Robert Fish, Janet A. Fisher, Niels Jobstvogt, Claire Molloy, Johanne Orchard-Webb, Susan Ranger, Mandy Ryan, Verity Watson and Susan Williams. 2015. What are shared and social values of ecosystems? Ecological Economics, 111: 86-99.
O’Brien, L. Morris, J and Stewart, A. 2014. Engaging with peri-urban woodlands in England: the contribution to people’s health and well-being and implications for future management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11: 6171-6192; doi:10.3390/ijerph110606171
O’Brien, L. Ambrose-Oji, B. Morris, J and Edwards, D. 2014. Civil society and flood resilience: characterising flood risk volunteers and understanding motivations and benefits. National Council for Voluntary Organisations. Conference paper. Winner of the Campbell Adamson Prize for best paper of the conference.
Williams, K. O’Brien, L and Stewart A. 2013. Urban health and urban forestry: how can forest management agencies help? Arboriculture Journal, 35: 119-133
O’Brien, L and Morris, J. 2013. Well-being for all? The social distribution of benefits gained from woodlands and forests in Britain. Local Environment, 19, 4: 356-383.
O’Brien, L., Marzano, M., White R.M. (2013) Participatory interdisciplinarity: Towards the integration of disciplinary diversity with stakeholder engagement for new models of knowledge production. Science and Public Policy (2013) 40 (1): 51–61 first published online January 7, 2013 doi:10.1093/scipol/scs120
O’Brien, L., Marcu, A., Marzano., Barnett, J., Quine, C and Uzzell, D. 2012. Situating risk in the context of a woodland visit: A Case Study on Lyme Borreliosis. Scottish Forestry, 66: 14-24.
O’Brien, L and Varley, P. (2012). Use of ethnographic approaches to the study of health experiences in relation to natural landscapes. Perspectives in Public Health, 132: 305-312.
Jay, M., Peters, K., Buijs, A., Gentin, S., Kloek, M. and O’Brien, L. (2011). Towards more inclusiveness? Policy and research on access of ethnic minority groups to natural areas in four European countries. Forestry Policy and Economics, 19: 4-11.
Townsend, M. Ebden, M and O’Brien, L. (2011). Greening places reduces the blues: promoting mental health through environmental volunteering. Public Health Bulletin South Australia: Health and the Environment, Vol 8, No 2: 3-6.
Morris, J. and O’Brien, E. (2011). Encouraging healthy outdoor activity amongst under-represented groups: An evaluation of the Active England woodland projects. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
O’Brien, L., Burls, A., Townsend, M. and Ebden, M. (2011). Volunteering with nature as a way of enabling people to re-integrate into society. Perspectives in Public Health, 131: 71-81.
Morris, J., O’Brien, L., Ambrose-Oji, B., Lawrence, A. and Carter, C. (2011). Access for all? Barriers to accessing woodlands and forests in Britain. Local Environment. 16: 375-396.
Quine, C., Barnett, J., Dobson, A., Marcu, A., Marzano, M., Moseley, D., O’Brien, L., Randolph., Taylor, J. and Uzzell, D. (2011). Frameworks for risk communication and disease management: the case of lyme disease and countryside users. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society. doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0397.
O’Brien, L., Burls, A., Bentsen, P., Hilmo, I., Holter, K., Haberling, D., Pirnat, J., Sarv, M., Vilbaste, K. and McLoughlin, J. (2011). Outdoor education, lifelong learning and skills development in woodlands and green spaces: the potential links to health and well-being. In K. Nilsson. M. Sangster. C. Gallis. T. Hartig. S. de Vries. K. Seeland. Forests, trees and human health. Book Chapter 12: 343-374. Springer.
Park, J.J., O’Brien, L., Roe, J., Ward Thompson, C. & Mitchell, R. (2010). The natural outdoors and health: assessing the value and potential contribution of quantitative public surveys in the UK to current and future knowledge. Health & Place. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2010.11.005.
O’Brien, L., Townsend, M. and Ebden, M. (2010). ‘Doing something positive’: Volunteer’s experiences of the well-being benefits derived from practical conservation activities in nature. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Non profit organisations, 21: 525-545.
Book and book chapters (including published conference proceedings)
O’Brien, L., Morris, J., and Hall, C. 2019. Land managers and publics: knowledge, attitudes and actions associated with threats to oak trees. In Eds. Quine, C.P., Atkinson, N., Denman, S., Desprez-Loustau, M-L., Jackson, R., Kirby, K. Action Oak Knowledge review: an assessment of the current evidence on oak health in the UK, identification of evidence gaps and prioritisation of research needs. Action Oak, Haslemere, UK. ISBN 978-1-5272-4193-0
Tyrvainen, L., Baeur, N., O’Brien, L. 2019. Impacts of forests on human health and wellbeing. In Eds. Marusakova, L and Sallmannshofer, M. (2019) Human Health and Sustainable Forest Management. Forest Europe, Slovakia.
Sallmannshofer, M., Schmechel, D., O’Brien, L., Krainer, F., Marusakova, L. 2019. Health benefits of forests: opportunities for the forest sector. In Eds. Marusakova, L and Sallmannshofer, M. (2019) Human Health and Sustainable Forest Management. Forest Europe, Slovakia.
D Pearlmutter, C Calfapietra, R Samson, L O’Brien, S Krajter Ostoic, G Sanesi, R Alonson del Amo (Eds) 2017. The urban forest: cultivating green infrastructure for people and the environment. Springer, Switzerland.
O’Brien, L., De Vreese, R., Atmiş, E., Olafsson, A., Sievänen, T., Brennan, M., Sanchez, M., Panagopoulos, T., de Vries, S., Kern, M, Gentin, S., Saraiva, G., Almeida, A. 2017. Social and environmental justice: diversity in access to and benefits from GI – examples from Europe. In D Pearlmutter, C Calfapietra, R Samson, L O’Brien, S Krajter Ostoic, G Sanesi, R Alonson del Amo (Eds) The urban forest: cultivating green infrastructure for people and the environment. Springer, Switzerland.
Carinanos, P., Calaza-Martinez, P., O’Brien, L., Calfapietra, C. 2017. The cost of greening: disservices of urban trees. In D Pearlmutter, C Calfapietra, R Samson, L O’Brien, S Krajter Ostoic, G Sanesi, R Alonson del Amo (Eds) The urban forest: cultivating green infrastructure for people and the environment. In D Pearlmutter, C Calfapietra, R Samson, L O’Brien, S Krajter Ostoic, G Sanesi, R Alonson del Amo (Eds) The urban forest: cultivating green infrastructure for people and the environment. Springer, Switzerland.
Terkenli, T., Bell, S., Zivojinovic, I., Tomicevic-Dubljevic, J., Panagopoulos, T., Straupe, I., Toskovic, O., Kristianova, K., Straigyte, L and O’Brien, L. 2017. Recreational use of urban green infrastructure: the tourist’s perspective. In D Pearlmutter, C Calfapietra, R Samson, L O’Brien, S Krajter Ostoic, G Sanesi, R Alonson del Amo (Eds) The urban forest: cultivating green infrastructure for people and the environment. Springer, Switzerland
O’Brien, L., De Vreese, R., Atmiş, E., Olafsson, A., Sievänen, T., Brennan, M., Sanchez, M., Panagopoulos, T., de Vries, S., Kern, M, Gentin, S., Saraiva, G., Almeida, A. (in-press) Social and environmental justice: diversity in access to and benefits from GI – examples from Europe. Springer.
O’Brien, L. Ambrose-Oji, B. Waite, S. 2016. Learning on the move: green exercise for children and young people. In J Barton, R Bragg, C Wood, J Pretty eds Green Exercise: Linking nature, health and well-being. Earthscan, London.
O’Brien, L and Morris, J. 2013. Using woodlands to improve individual and community well-being. In R. Coles and Z. Millian. Landscape, well-being and Environment. Routledge, pp167-183.
Gallis, G., Sangster, M., Tellnes, G., Sansesi, G., O’Brien, L., Holmbom, B., Batt-Rawden, K. 2012. Research into forests and human health – Current status and trends in Europe. In Forest Medicine. Ed. Qing Li. Nova Science Publishers Inc.
O’Brien, L., Burls, A., Bentsen, P., Hilmo, I., Holter, K., Haberling, D., Pirnat, J., Sarv, M., Vilbaste, K. and McLoughlin, J. 2011. Outdoor education, lifelong learning and skills development in woodlands and green spaces: the potential links to health and well-being. In K. Nilsson. M. Sangster. C. Gallis. T. Hartig. S. de Vries. K. Seeland. Forests, trees and human health. Book Chapter 12: 343-374. Springer
FC and FR publications including official statistics
O’Brien, L. Doick, K. Moseley, D. Saraev, V. Valatin, G. 2019. Valuing and governing tree and forest ecosystem services in Great Britain. Forest Research, Farnham.
Hall, C. O’Brien, L. Atkinson, M. 2019. Tribute to Trees. Forest Research, Farnham.
Ambrose-Oji, B., O’Brien, L., Hall, C., Karlsdottir, B., Robinson, J., Jones, G., Amboage, R., Urquhart, J., Black, J., Hemery, G., Petrokofsky, G., Dandy, N., Tuner, C. 2019. Understanding behaviours as a basis for policy design to improve the management of (tree health) outbreaks and build resilient treescapes. Report to Defra.
O’Brien, L, Ambrose-Oji, B. Hemery, G. Petrokofsky, G. Raum S. 2018. Payments for ecosystem services, land manager networks and social learning. Forest Research, Farnham
Hall, C., Marzano, M. & O’Brien, L., 2018. Tree Health, Biosecurity and Engagement: A Review. Report produced by Forest Research for Forestry Commission Scotland.
O’Brien, L. 2018. NHS Greenspace report: Report to the Green Exercise Partnership on the Royal Edinburgh Hospital greenspace demonstration project. Forest Research, Farnham.
Hall, C., O’Brien, L., Hand, K., Raum, S. 2018. Evaluation of i-Tree eco surveys in Britain: impacts and key lessons – the views of stakeholders. Forest Research, Farnham.
O’Brien, L. 2018. A calm, peaceful and beautiful place: Evaluation of the Heritage Lottery Fund – Westonbirt Community Project. Forest Research, Farnham.pp85
O’Brien, L and Forster J. 2018. Westonbirt, the National Arboretum: Visitor Experience Evaluation. Forest Research, Farnham. Pp130.
O’Brien, L and Connolly, T. 2018. Lyme disease risk: Forestry Commission and Forest Research staff survey. Report to Forestry Commission Scotland, Forest Research, Farnham. Pp30.
Hall, C., O’Brien, L., Hand, K. & Raum, S., 2018. Evaluation of i-Tree Eco surveys in Great Britain. Impacts and key lessons: The views of stakeholders. Forest Research, Farnham. 50pp.
O’Brien, L and Forster, J. 2017. Fun and fitness in the forest: monitoring and evaluation of the three-year Active Forest pilot programme. Forest Research, Farnham.
O’Brien, L. 2017. NHS Greenspace in Scotland: Report to the Green Exercise Partnership on University Hospital Ayr and Ailsa Hospital greenspace demonstration project. Forest Research, Farnham.
Hall, C., and O’Brien, L., 2017. Bedgebury: Visitor experiences. Report on experiences, impressions and knowledge of Bedgebury Pinetum. Forest Research, Farnham.
O’Brien, L., Morris, J., Raum, S. 2017. Review of methods for integrating cultural ecosystem services, values and benefits in forestry. Forest Research, Farnham.pp24.
Hall, C. Raum, S. Morris, J. O’Brien, L. 2017. Observatree: Key lessons. Qualitative study of the Observatree citizen science project. Forest Research, Farnham. 42 pages.
Davies, H. Doick, K. Handley, P. O’Brien, L. Wilson, J. 2017. Delivery of ecosystem services by urban forests. Forestry Commission, Research Report. 27 pages.
Doick, K. Davies, H. Handley, P. Vaz Monteiro, M. O’Brien, L and Ashwood, F. 2016. Introducing England’s Urban Forest: definition, distribution, composition and benefits. Forest Research.
O’Brien, L. 2010. Are we creating problems for the future? Children, young people and the concept of nature deficit disorder. FR Monograph. Forest Research, Farnham.
Contract and project reports – excluding any which are commercially confidential
Ambrose-Oji, B. O’Brien, L. Hall, C. Karlsdottir, B. Robinson, J. Jones, G. Amboage, R. Urquhart, J. Black, J. Hemery, G. Petrokofsky, G. Dandy, N. Turner, C. 2019. Understanding behaviours as the basis for policy design to improve the management of (tree health) outbreaks and build resilient treescapes. Report to Defra. Pp165.
Ambrose Oji, B. O’Brien, L., Robinson, J. 2019. Rapid Evidence Assessment. Forest Research report for Defra.
Ambrose-Oji, Forester, J. and O’Brien, L. 2017. Grow Wild 2017: Evaluation. Forest Research report to Grow Wild, Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, Richmond Surrey pp98.
Hemery, G., Ambrose-Oji, B., Atkinson, G., Edwards, D., Lloyd, S., O’Brien, L., Reid, C., Townsend, M., Weir, J., Yeomans, A., Petrokofsky, G.P. (2015) Awareness, actions and aspirations among Britain’s forestry community to environmental change: Report of the British Woodlands Survey 2015. 31pp.
O’Brien, L. 2015. London i-tree eco project: volunteers experiences. Report for Forestry Commission England.
O’Brien, L. Ambrose-Oji, B. Morris, J and Edwards D. (2014). Volunteers contribution to flood resilience. Final report to the Environment Agency.
O’Brien, L., Ambrose-Oji, B., Williams, R. and Morris, J. (2014). Work Package 3 Report: Case study, survey, diary and interview research on FCRM volunteering. Report by Forest Research for the Environment Agency.
Edwards, D. O’Brien, L. Ambrose-Oji, B and Morris, J. (2014). Work Package 4 Report: Issues and options concerning FCRM volunteering. Report by Forest Research for the Environment Agency.
Kenter, J.O. Reed, M.S., Everard, M., Irvine, K.N., O’Brien, E. Molloy, C., Bryce, R. Brady, E., Christie, M., Church, A., Collins, T., Cooper, N., Davies, A., Edwards, D., Evely, A., Fazey, I., Goto, R., Hockley, N., Jobstvogt, N., Orchard-Webb, J., Ravenscroft, N., Ryan, A., Watson. 2014. Shared, plural and cultural values: A handbook for decision makers. UK National Ecosystem Assessment follow-on phase. Cambridge, UNEP-WCMC.
Jasper O. Kenter, Mark S. Reed, Katherine N. Irvine, Liz O’Brien, Emily Brady, Rosalind Bryce, Mike Christie, Andrew Church, Nigel Cooper, Althea Davies, Anna Evely, Mark Everard, Ioan Fazey, Neal Hockley, Niels Jobstvogt, Claire Molloy, Johanna Orchard-Webb, Neil Ravenscroft, Mandy Ryan, and Verity Watson. 2014. Shared, plural and cultural values of ecosystems: Summary. Report of WP6 UK NEA follow-on project. 31 pages.
Jasper O. Kenter, Mark S. Reed, Katherine N. Irvine, Liz O’Brien, Emily Brady, Rosalind Bryce, Mike Christie, Andrew Church, Nigel Cooper, Althea Davies, Anna Evely, Mark Everard, Ioan Fazey, Neal Hockley, Niels Jobstvogt, Claire Molloy, Johanna Orchard-Webb, Neil Ravenscroft, Mandy Ryan, and Verity Watson. 2014. Shared, plural and cultural values of ecosystems. Full report of WP6 UK NEA follow-on project. 211 pages.
O’Brien, L. 2014. Innovative NHS Greenspace. Briefing note for the Green Exercise Partnership (made up of NHS Scotland, FC Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage) pp6.
O’Brien, L. 2014. We have stopped moving: Tackling physical inactivity – a role for the Public Forest Estate in England. Forestry Commission and Forest Research.
Lawrence, A. Ambrose-Oji, B and O’Brien, L. 2014. FES health check of community engagement. Report to Forestry Commission Scotland.
Ambrose-Oji, B., O’Brien, L., Morris. J. and Williams, R. (2013). Work Package 1 Report: FCRM volunteering baseline data and typology development. Report to the Environment Agency. With supporting resource spreadsheet: ‘EA volunteer case studies baseline dataset – 97 examples’.
Morris, J., Williams, R., O’Brien, L. and Ambrose-Oji, B. (2013). Work Package 2 Report: Developing an FCRM evaluation framework. Report by Forest Research for the Environment Agency. With two supporting resource spreadsheets: ‘EA volunteer evaluation review’ and ‘EA evaluation framework criteria and indicators’.
Smith, C. Johnson, A. Fernall, D. Mitchell, M. Harper, G. Cottrill, A. (Liz O’Brien Defra contributor. (2013)Chalara in ash trees: a framework for assessing ecosystem impacts and appraising options. Defra, London.
Morris, J., O’Brien, L., Stewart, A. (2013). Social impacts and well-being of Environment Agency activities. Environment Agency, Bristol.
Morris, J. O’Brien, L and Stewart, A. 2013. Social impacts and well-being of Environment Agency activities. Report for the Environment Agency.
Morris, J. Marzano, M. Dandy, N. O’Brien, L. 2012. Forestry, sustainable behaviours and behaviour change – setting the scene. Summary Report. Forest Research Farnham.
Morris, J. Marzano, M. Dandy, N. O’Brien, L. 2012. Forestry, sustainable behaviours and behaviour change. Policy context – influencing and changing behaviour. Forest Research Farnham.
Morris, J. Marzano, M. Dandy, N. O’Brien, L. 2012. Forestry, sustainable behaviours and behaviour change. Theories and models of behaviour and behaviour change. Forest Research Farnham.
Morris, J. Marzano, M. Dandy, N. O’Brien, L. 2012. Forestry, sustainable behaviours and behaviour change. Lessons learnt from interventions and evaluations. Forest Research Farnham.
Morris, J. Marzano, M. Dandy, N. O’Brien, L. 2012. Forestry, sustainable behaviours and behaviour change – discussion paper. Forest Research Farnham.
Christie et al. 2012. BRIDGE: Bridging the gap between supply of and demand for valuation evidence. Final report on VNN project to NERC.
Molteno, S. Morris, J and O’Brien, L. 2012. Public access to woodlands and forests: a rapid evidence review. Forest Research, Farnham.
O’Brien, L, Morris, J and Stewart, A. 2012. Exploring the relationships between peri-urban woodlands and health and well-being. Pp. 76. Forest Research, Farnham
Carter, C. O’Brien, L and Morris, J. 2011. Enabling positive change: evaluation of the Neroche Landscape Partnership Scheme. Report to the Forestry Commission
O’Brien, L and Lovell, B. 2011. A Review of Forest Education Initiative in Britain. Report to the Forestry Commission. Pp. 99
O’Brien, L and Marzano, M. 2010. Volunteering in and for Scotland’s forests. Report to Forestry Commission Scotland. Pp. 128
Currie, M., O’Brien, E., Varley, P., Uzzell, D., Gaterlseben, B., White, E., Johnston, L., Farmer, J., MacRury, S., Hines, F., Ravenscroft, N., Marshall, A., Smith, M.A. and Munoz, S-A. (2010) Assessment of effectiveness of ‘alternative’ methods in collecting longitudinal data on individuals’ outdoors experiences, behaviours and health. Discussion paper for the Outdoors and Health Network, ESRC grant no. RES-355-25-0040.
Marshall, A., Currie, M., O’Brien, E., Roe, J., Ward Thompson, C., Mitchell, R., Wheeler, B., Higgins, P., Geyer, J., Christie, E., Park, J.J., Church, A., Farmer, J., Cummins, S., Sangster, M. and Bird, W. (2010) Knowledge gaps and methodological development of a framework for a longitudinal resource in outdoors and health research: A discussion paper. Report for the Outdoors and Health Network, ESRC grant no. RES-355-25-0040.
Stewart, A and O’Brien, L. 2010. Inventory of social evidence and practical programmes related to trees, woods and forests and urban/peri urban regeneration, place making and place shaping. Report to the Forestry Commission. Pp. 123
O’Brien, E., Ward Thompson, C., Roe, J., Mitchell, R., Wheeler, B. and Marshall, A. (2010). Mapping of quantitative secondary longitudinal datasets and development of a questionnaire module for outdoors and health research. Report for the Outdoors and Health Network, ESRC grant no. RES-355-25-0040.
O’Brien, L and Morris, J. 2010. Estimating visitor and visit numbers to woodlands. Report to the Forestry Commission. Pp. 42
Lovell, R. O’Brien, L. Owen, R. 2010. Review of the research evidence in relation to the role of trees, woods and forest in formal education and learning. Report to the Forestry Commission. Pp. 60
O’Brien, L., Williams, K and Stewart A. 2010. Urban health and health inequalities and the role of trees, woods and forests in Britain: a review. Report to the Forestry Commission. Pp. 94
Trade journal and newsletter articles
O’Brien, L Ambrose-Oji, B. 2019. Trees for health: woods and forests really do make you feel better. Chartered Forester, summer 2019, p20-22.
O’Brien, L. Price, K. Oliver, B. 2018. A calm, peaceful and beautiful place: evaluating the Westonbirt Community Project. Horizons.
O’Brien, L. 2017. Volunteers can be important assets. Chartered Forester Winter p24-25.
O’Brien, L. Ambrose-Oji, B. Morris, J and Edwards, D. 2014. Civil society and flood resilience: characterising flood risk volunteers and understanding motivations and benefits. National Council for Voluntary Organisations. Conference paper. Winner of the Campbell Adamson Prize for best paper of the conference.
O’Brien, L. 2011. Using trees and woodlands to improve individual and community well-being: interventions, activities and barriers. Well-being conference proceedings. City of Birmingham University.
O’Brien, L. 2010. ‘It’s fun to play about in’ children’s health and the outdoors – setting the scene. Countryside Recreation Network.
Scientific conferences:
Invited oral presentations
International Forest Therapy Days, Finland 2019. Presentation: Forests, nature and human health in Europe.
Play and Engagement with gardens Plant Network, Walmer Castle 2019. Presentation: Evaluations of engagement programmes and interventions focused on sustaining or changing behaviours
Woods and wellbeing Conference Edinburgh 2019. Fun and fitness in the forest – scaling up to a national programme and the role of monitoring and evaluation.
Outdoor Recreation Network Conference Cardiff 2018. Opportunities and challenges of using technology to gather data in the Active Forest Programme Evaluation.
Trees and wellbeing: past, present and future. Oxford Brookes University. 2018. Trees, woods and wellbeing for under-represented groups.
International Federation of Landscape Architects LA conference Turin 2016. Working Group 2: Socio-Cultural services.
Green infrastructure: nature based solutions for sustainable and resilient cities. 2017. Orvieto, Italy. Engaging communities and partners to participate in the co-production of GI
Alter-Net Nature and Urban Wellbeing – Nature based solutions. 2015. Ghent, Belgium. Improving the wellbeing of diverse and excluded communities through nature based solutions in Britain.
Beyond Greenspace workshop. 2014. Falmouth Cornwall. Trees, woods and forests for health and well-being in Britain.
Trees, Greenspace and Health and Wellbeing, University of Cambridge 2013. Greenspace an essential component of health and well-being?
Natural Learning Initiative Conference, 2013. North Carolina USA. Reconnecting children and young people with woodlands and forests. Invited keynote speaker.
Leisure Studies Association Conference, Edinburgh 2012. Presentation: The contribution of trees, woods and forests to well-being and quality of life. (Invited Keynote Speaker)
Good from Woods, 2012, Dartmoor. Presentation: Does research evidence make a difference? (Invited Keynote Speaker).
Workshop at DEFRA 2011, London for Independent Forestry Panel on Cultural and social issues affecting woodlands and forestry policy in England. Presentation: ‘Trees and woodlands: well-being benefits and experiences’.
European Institute of Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning Finland. 2011. Presentation: Why woods? Growing adventure and the importance of trees, woods and forests. (Invited Keynote speaker)
Planning for healthy communities. Royal Town Planning Institute conference, London 2010. Presentation: Can urban forestry help deliver healthy communities?
Other presentations
International Symposium on Society and Resource Management. 2017. Umeå, Sweden. Well-being benefits from urban forests and greenspace for diverse sections of society.
International Association of People Environment Studies, June 2016, Sweden. Presentation: Engagement and interaction with nature by under-represented groups in Britain: what does it mean for management and decision-making?
National Parks and Wildlife as Natural Health Providers, Wales, April 2014. Presentation: Well-being for all? The social distribution of benefits gained from woodlands and forests in Britain.
European Forum for Urban Forestry, Switzerland, June 2014. Presentation: Equality of access and engagement with woodlands in Britain: enablers and barriers.
Cultural ecosystem services: inside the black box of natural resource management. Ecological Knowledge Network Meeting 2013, Exeter. Presentation: Cultural ecosystem services from trees, woods and forests.
Ecological economics and institutional dynamics. 10th International Conference of the European Society for Ecological Economics, 2013. Lille France. Presentation: Shared and cultural values around ecosystems, health and renewable energy.
Forests for people: international experiences and the vital role of forests for the future. 2012. IUFRO, Austria. Presentation: The social distribution of well-being benefits gained from trees, woods and forests in Britain.
Open space: People Place. The physical environment, health and well-being, 2011, Edinburgh. Presentation: Access of ethnic minority groups to natural areas: a review of policy and research in four European countries.
Open space: People Place. The physical environment, health and well-being, 2011, Edinburgh. Presentation: Nature’s health service: creating opportunities in woodlands for improving well-being across different social groups.
Well-being 2011, Birmingham. Presentation: Using woodlands to improve individual and community well-being: interventions, activities and barriers.
Trees and woods in British Society, 2010, April, Edinburgh. Presentation: Are we creating problems for the future? Children, young people and the concept of nature deficit disorder.
MMV 2010 Conference, May, Waginingen. Presentation: What enables or prevents diverse groups, including black and ethnic minorities, from using and enjoying British woodlands?
