Root Down Reach Out, the hashtag for the Compassionate Communities Healthcare Movement, reflects our vision for a healthcare movement with the foundational strength and potential of an engaged, inclusive community.  Our work is rooted by our valued friendships and continually evolving as we reach out to connect with others with different views and experiences to build new friendships.

Our Community Cares About Health

Over the past decade, devastating wildfires, droughts, storms, floods & heat waves have dramatically increased. These extreme events threaten our lives and health. In Idaho, regional wildfires significantly impair our air quality - with serious health consequences. Floods, heat waves and droughts are negatively impacting well-being. 76% of Idahoans agree: “climate change is threatening the health of our communities.  From increased wildfire smoke to drought, the things we rely on - clean air, water and food - are at risk.  Protecting our land and water will keep us all healthy.”

How do we work together to protect and enhance our health?

Surprisingly, one very effective solution is to Plant Trees.

Trees enrich and stabilize the soil, provide us with oxygen and moisture, filter dangerous pollutants and cool the earth and the air we breathe. Idaho’s lands can support millions of additional trees, with substantial health benefits for all of us! This decade, we are working with community partners to encourage tree planting in Boise - The City of Trees. One goal is to plant 1.8 million trees - one tree for every person living in Idaho.

Astronaut Leland Melvin, one of the few who has seen our forests from outer space, reads a poem by Pablo Neruda about the Chilean Forest.

Please enjoy this video on the Secret Language of Trees.

Opportunities to plant trees:

Arbor Day Foundation will send you 10 free trees to plant for a $10 membership!You can even plant a tree in someone’s name or send small trees as gifts!

With this tree planting search engine, you can plant trees as you surf the net!

Check out this wooden credit card for everyday purchases.

A Root Down Reach Out Retreat

In 2025, we are offering a Root Down Reach Out retreat conference to individuals and organizations who are committed to actively addressing the impact of wildfires, droughts, floods and heat waves on the health of our communities.

We will gather at the innovative JUMP Center in Boise for a creative and inspiring day and a half. When we come together, we will enjoy music, art, dance and other nourishing experiences as we explore ways to move forward with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, optimism and well-being.

Please join us!

Research on the Health Impact of Environmental Events:

Idaho Specific Data:

Wildfire Smoke and Potatoes Research

Wildfire smoke puts Boise, Idaho, on bad air quality list | Idaho Statesman

The McClure Center’s Idaho Climate-Economy Impacts Assessment: https://www.uidaho.edu/iceia

 The Nature Conservancy’s 2020 Climate Change public opinion poll: Shaping Idaho's Future (nature.org)

The Nature Conservancy’s 2021 North Idaho Forests & Climate Change public opinion poll: Idaho Forest Polling results (nature.org)

Additional Research:

Zeroing in on Healthy Air report | American Lung Association

Climate Change Is The Greatest Threat To Public Health, Top Medical Journals Warn

Call for Emergency Action to Limit Global Temperature Increases, Restore Biodiversity, and Protect Health

A Challenge:

The Climate Collaborative is a part of the National Academy of Medicine’s Grand Challenge on Human Health and Climate Change - a multi-year global initiative to improve and protect human health, well-being, and equity by working to transform systems that both contribute to and are impacted by climate change.

To learn more about our vision for community health, please check out this story published in the Idaho Press Health Column and Treasure Valley Medical Professionals magazine.