The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) ‘Prescription for Nature’ campaign underscores the positive impact of nature on well-being.
Research conduced in 2024 by the WWF found that 34% of people spend time in nature just once a week or less, with 49% of respondents wishing they spent more time in nature. This rose to 60% among those living in large towns or urban city centres. When it comes to a sense of connection to nature, a survey in 2021 found that 44% of people said they were not connecting with nature often enough to help their mental health, and 38% said they wanted to do it more often. The survey found that not having the time available was the most common reason given.
To make the most of the nature around us for our mental wellbeing, the WWF is encouraging people to (re)connect with nature and encourage greater orientation amongst the population to do so. That is working towards improving people’s proximity and access to natural spaces as well as boosting their interest and motivation to engage with nature.
Tanya Steele, CEO at WWF, said: “Spending time in nature is proven to boost our wellbeing, whether it’s taking a walk through your local park or woodland, watching the birds from your window or marvelling at a starry sky as the nights draw in. The evidence is clear – getting a daily dose of nature, even just for 20 minutes a day, can reduce anxiety and improve our mood, as well as making us more likely to take action to protect the health of our planet. Quite simply, when we restore nature, nature restores us.”
Nature for young futures
The WWF’s Schools for Nature report outlined the benefits of nature-based learning in schools on children’s mental health. The report reveals that school pupils show greater resilience, improved self-esteem, and increased self-efficacy when engaged with outdoor learning, and are more motivated, less stressed and more positive, leading to better education outcomes.
Young people’s anxieties stem from a variety of pressures including school and university, money and jobs, social media and climate change. According to the WWF, this young and vulnerable group are prioritising their wellbeing, as 62% of 18-21-year-olds say that they actively take steps to look after their mental health and 37% of this age group already say that self-care involves spending time in nature.
Local action is key
With Earth Day approaching, which this year is themed ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, the WWF is encouraging everyone to get their ‘daily dose of nature’ and to recognise that our health depends on that of that of the planet. Despite the often-overwhelming global crises, the WWF highlights that individual and local action can be a catalyst for bigger change and a beacon of hope for communities.
Chris and Oliver Bowers, are such an example. Brothers, the Bowers not only transformed a small urban spaces into nature-friendly ‘Pocket Rainforest’ boosting local biodiversity, but aim to engage with their community by opening the garden (at no charge), raising funds and running a podcast (Our Garden) on horticulture, mental health and the positive impacts of connecting with nature.
Inspired by an evident passion for tropical plants, Chris Bowers transformed his 100 m2, derelict, “dated Essex Patio” into a mini, vibrant, biodiverse tropical rainforest, boasting several hundred tropical (hardy and tender) plants, trees and ‘swamp’ ponds. Truly impressive, the garden is now a vibrant ecosystem, alive with rare insects, slow worms, pond-loving aquatic creatures and birds – even kingfishers.
“You don’t have to have a massive garden. Mine is a small garden and the amount of diversity of wildlife just in that tiny space, about probably 12 metres by 5 or 6 metres, is just amazing, ” explained Bowers.
“Growing your own pocket rainforest is something everybody can do to get their daily dose of nature and help reverse the damage we’ve done to the planet. No matter your age or the limited space you have – simply planting a single tree or filling a container with water can bring an abundance of wildlife to your little space in a very short time,” he added.
His ultimate goal is to inspire councils to convert vacant, unused land into pocket rainforests to breathe new life into urban areas. “You’ve only got to drive around local towns, and you see these places that they’re never going to build a house on. It’s not Parkland, it’s just nothing. It’s wasted. Well, why can’t you plant six or seven fast growing trees? Can you imagine it from the air, these little pocket rainforests everywhere?”
A fellow garden enthusiast, Oliver Bowers complements the work with the Walk the Mind initiative, which promotes mental health through the simple act of getting outdoors and walking. Raising funds for Young Minds Trust, the Walk the Mind Facebook group has an online following of more than 30,000 people, enabling a space where members can share their life challenges. The Bower Brothers, co-host a podcast called ‘Our Garden’ and Youtube channel, discussing horticulture, mental health and the positive impacts of connecting with nature.
Further details regarding the WWF ‘A Prescription for Nature’ campaign can be found here, along with WWF reconnecting with nature guides and the evidence base report.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “The relationship we build with nature and how we interact with it on a daily basis is an essential part of supporting and protecting our mental health. Research shows that people who are more connected with nature are usually happier in life and more likely to report feeling their lives are worthwhile. Nature can generate many positive emotions, such as calmness, joy, and creativity and can facilitate concentration. Likewise, connecting with nature is also associated with lower levels of poor mental health, particularly lower depression and anxiety.
“Getting close to nature is one of our core tips to support good mental health and wellbeing and we are delighted to support WWF’s A Prescription for Nature campaign. We hope that millions of people across the UK will take part.”
