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Keeping our connection with
nature is not about holding back
time or progress. There is space
for nature in a modern economy,
urban and rural. The reasons
for our disconnection are also
cultural or institutional and here
the Government and civil society
have a role to play.
For example, educational practices often
militate against direct experience in nature,
with a focus on risk-averse policies and an
exam-driven culture. Physical constraints arise
if planning does not provide for green space
near to communities. Crucially, this must also
be accessible and safe, addressing risks like
traffic that stop children roaming freely. Other
barriers are personal or cultural.
We know that even short experiences in
nature can make a real difference. WWT
has recently offered free visits to schools
with a high percentage of children from
more disadvantaged families. Emerging
evidence indicates that poorer children are
less interested in being outdoors in nature
than better-off children, but that difference
can be turned on its head after just one day
spent learning outside. The opinions of pupils
from different schools were analysed from
the day before their first visit and for a further
year. The responses of pupils from schools
in poorer areas were less positive about
nature before the visit, but when researchers
followed up afterwards, they found this group
had developed a greater interest and positive
attitude, including wanting to do things to
help wildlife.
The benefits of learning outdoors have
never been greater. As our society becomes
more sedentary, the opportunity to give young
people the chance to be immersed in nature
not only supports their social and citizenship
skills, but encourages academic achievement
and application.
In New Zealand, almost 70,000 people are
expected to be referred to the Government-
backed “green prescription” scheme this
year. This is intended to offer preventative
care for mental and physical health in a
simple, affordable way. Across the UK, there
are also experiments in social prescribing.
However, these can be held back by a lack
of formal structures for delivery and by
practical constraints. This is especially true
in urban areas, where access to high-quality
green spaces may be limited. 85% of the UK
population now live in urban environments,
including many of those who would benefit
most from increased contact with nature.
The 25 year plan is an opportunity to ensure
that in the next generation, children from all
socio-economic backgrounds have the chance
to roam in wonderful, wild environments.
More pocket money?
The Government’s programme of pocket parks
has the potential to improve access to quality
greenspace in urban areas. DCLG put £1.5m to
fund 87 pocket parks by 2016.
This kind of local scheme can be a brilliant
way to provide communities with nature
nearby. Perhaps DCLG and Defra could fund
a further programme to include “pocket ponds”,
providing places for quiet reflection that are
often the heart of a community.
This kind of direct support could complement
stronger planning guidelines recognising
everyone’s need for nature nearby.
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