Dr Emily Flies is an award-winning science communicator and researcher in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Tasmania.  Emily has co-founded two successful Science in the Pub non-profit organisations (in Adelaide and Hobart), is the founder and director of Tasmania's Inspiring Women in STEMM Fellowship Program and co-leads the Healthy Landscapes research group at UTAS.As a health ecologist, Emily blends field, molecular and statistical techniques to understand how the environment shapes human health, particularly the health benefits of engaging with biodiverse natural habitats. Emily brings a wealth of knowledge to this conversation, including some practical pointers on how we can all reap the benefits of immersing in, protecting and restoring the natural world.In this episode, we discuss:• Emily’s impressive background and a keen interest in the health benefits of nature exposure• The profound importance of a biodiverse environment• Biodiversity concerns in Australia and New Zealand• Australia’s Strategy for Nature: Australia’s national biodiversity strategy and action plan• Managing and connecting with nature in both urban and rural environments• How and why immersing in nature supports our mental and physical health• Biodiverse environments, the human microbiome and immune function• Benefits of participating in ecological restoration programs• Backyard Biodiversity: How to make your backyard more biodiverseTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast, leave us a review and share this episode with your friends and family.Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee.Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.