Root for a greener, post-pandemic outlook
INVESTMENT in nature-based solutions to improve our physical, mental and social health is a ‘win-win’ situation for people and the environment, according to Pete Rawcliffe, Naturescot’s Head of People and Places.
“Regular contact with nature is vital, not just as part of a joined-up approach to keeping people healthier, but also in supporting the action needed to address the climate emergency and biodiversity loss,” he explains. “Alongside investment in protecting and restoring nature, the work of Green Health Partnerships is helping to demonstrate this in practice – a natural health service that supports our National Health Service.”
The Our Natural Health Service (ONHS) programme, led by Naturescot, was one of the first national programmes developed in Europe to support the use of nature-based solutions in health policy and practice. “The Covid-19 global pandemic demonstrated as never before how important a nature-rich environment is for everyone,” explains Mr Rawcliffe.
“The vast majority of the population was locked down in urban areas for an extended period of time, and urban nature and greenspace took on a new significance. Many people reported feeling a new connection to nature in their local area, discovering their local greenspaces and wildlife on daily walks, and often finding solace in that connection during a difficult time.”
This is not just anecdotal. Research by Naturescot found that 73% felt spending time outdoors in nature helped them to de-stress, relax and unwind and 63% agreed it improved their physical health.
Mr Rawcliffe explains: “The pandemic inadvertently resulted in many people taking an important first step in connecting with nature and experiencing all the benefits, and Naturescot wants to help them keep it up.
“We are also helping to create better places – high quality accessible greenspaces that were demonstrated to be so vital during lockdowns. These greenspaces can help those less able to access these benefits – people who are older, less affluent and in poor health.”
Naturescot is targeting investment to places that need it most – for example, it has allocated more than £15m of investment through the Green Infrastructure Fund, funding the establishment of 20 Wee Forests and supporting urban nature projects under the Biodiversity Challenge and Nature Restoration Funds.
Through its Make Space for Nature campaign, the organisation aims to get more individuals and communities involved in action to improve local greenspace for nature and climate through, for example, planting trees, creating ponds and creating areas for wild flowers. In 2021/22, Naturescot supported more than 600 communities to improve their local environment and around 20,000 people to volunteer.
Mr Rawcliffe adds: “We want our towns and cities to be nature-rich.
Nature is integral for our society, economy and environment; Covid-19 has jettisoned the idea that these policy areas are separate. Nature must be at the heart of our emergence from this crisis – a green recovery for people and planet.”
Nature must be at the heart of our emergence from the global pandemic