The University of Derby and Natural England have been developing a Nature Connectedness Network and it has now gone public with the launch of its website!
CLICK HERE www.natureconnectedness.net
As society becomes more aware of the mutual dependency between people and nature, there is a growing understanding of how nurturing a connection with the natural world can benefit individual health, strengthen communities, and encourage environmentally friendly behaviours.
The Nature Connectedness Network is open to everyone, including government staff. It provides the opportunity to explore how spending time in and connecting with nature can play a role in different areas of work.
Dr Carly Butler, Researcher in Nature Connectedness, University of Derby
"The network enables me to connect with practitioners, professionals, policy makers, and academics with a shared interest in enriching people's relationships with nature. I get to learn about the innovative and powerful ways people across the health, education, arts and culture, environment, and academic sectors are connecting people with nature for the wellbeing of both humans and the natural world. The network offers opportunities to keep up-to-date with latest nature connection research and applications, discuss challenges and opportunities in the field, share best practice, and develop new collaborations."
There is strong, consistent evidence highlighting the benefits of spending time in nature and connecting with it more deeply which positively impacts mental wellbeing, physical health, pro-environmental behaviour and conservation efforts. These findings have the potential to align with a range of government priorities. For example:
- Children spending regular time in nature in educational settings provides a range of benefits that enables them to succeed well and break down barriers to opportunity.
- 85% of the population live in urban areas. Increasing access to and engagement with nature can support healthier, more vibrant, safer and more attractive neighbourhoods. It can provide places that people value and enjoy, help reduce antisocial behaviour, improve mental health, alleviate flooding, decrease urban heating and filter pollution.
- The Cross Government Green Social Prescribing Project demonstrated that activities in nature, including connecting with nature can be used as an effective tool to support mental health and wellbeing. Statistically significant improvements were recorded for personal wellbeing and an estimated social return on investment of up to £2.42 for every £1 invested.
- People who are connected to nature are three times more likely to take action for nature and nature can provide the spark to inspire people to develop green skills and follow green careers.
Find out more about Nature Connection
Join the Nature Connectedness Network to gain insight into the role nature connection has in creating a safer, healthier and more prosperous society and explore how it could be relevant to your role. The network aims to enable members to collaborate, share, and make use of evidence for growing closer relationships between people/society and nature.
You can also contact the NE team for more info: