Lucy Ferris
Nature and wellbeing
Improve health and wellbeing through nature
Evidence shows that connecting with the natural environment is good for both our physical and mental health. We want more people to discover that regular contact and connection with the natural world can improve their health and wellbeing, as well as fostering a sense of belonging. We invite you to experience the wonder and beauty of nature - listen out for the birds singing in the trees near your home, walk through a green space or use your phone camera to capture the exquisite detail of nature - from a weed in the pavement to an individual leaf or flower. We hope that by reconnecting with nature, more people will care about, protect and take action for wildlife.
Enabling healthy communities
But with the benefits of nature on health and wellbeing in mind, it is of huge concern that more than a third of the population – nearly 9.5 million households in England – are unable to access green places near their home. Alongside our national federation of 46 Wildlife Trusts across the UK, we've made healthy communities one of our five priorities for politicians to consider ahead of the next general election. We're asking the next Government to support the creation of more green space in neighbourhoods, to fund and integrate green prescribing into community-based health services, and to enable all children to access outdoor learning opportunities.
Here are five ways to connect with nature.
Natural exercise
Keep moving and try to get outside as often as possible. Take a lunchtime walk in your local green space or exercise outdoors - even in the winter. Visit a nature reserve and spend time focusing on the birdsong, the trees, wildflowers and wildlife. Find out more about visiting our nature reserves here
Tony Bates / Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve
Get connected
Connecting with other people is good for our mental health and resilience. Whether you've been out for a walk in a green space near where you live, along the beach or in a nature reserve, share the experience with your friends and family - in person, over the phone or on social media. Or, join one of our events to connect with other people. Why not join our friendly wildlife community on social media? You can join us on Facebook, X (formerly twitter) or Instagram. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and connect with nature - we have lots of opportunities with something for everyone - find out about volunteering for Dorset Wildlife Trust.
Take notice of nature
By taking notice of the natural world around us, we can be in the present moment and be mindful, allowing us to focus on one thing at a time, which allows our minds to relax. You might focus on what’s in your garden, what you can see out of the window or what you can see whilst you are walking outside, Notice what is around you, look closely, look from a different angle, look longer. You might be surprised by what you see, and how seemingly familiar routes, objects and landscapes can suddenly reveal themselves anew.
Barn Owls at Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve © Paul Williams
Keep learning
There are many opportunities for learning about nature. It can be formal, through signing up for a course, informal by learning from others or it could just be trying something new. Use our A-Z to wildlife and habitats to find out more about species and where they thrive. Look up a bird or flower online if you’re not sure what it is, or maybe ask friends on social media. Get your nature fix by watching a nature programme on tv or check out our actions for nature for ideas of things to do to help wildlife from making a bird box to growing a wild patch.
Laura McLellan / Child with binoculars at Kingcombe
Get involved with nature
'Think global, act local' has never been more crucial - there are so many ways that you can act for nature. There's a host of volunteering opportunities on offer from doing wildlife surveys, joining work parties, fundraising or helping in our visitor centres.
Find out what you can do to attract wildlife to your garden, balcony or local green space Or check out what you can do to help pollinators thrive.
If you can, please consider joining us as a member - from just £4 per month you will be joining a wonderful community of 27,000 wildlife heroes, committed to creating a bright future for Dorset's wildlife and wild places.
Brian Bleese
Supporting the health system
While Dorset has amazing nature reserves, local parks and gardens and coastal areas, not everyone has equal access to these spaces, whether that’s through physical access, limited transport, feeling the spaces are not for them, or other reasons.
Dorset Wildlife Trust is working with partners to embed nature-based wellbeing into the health system through Dorset Local Nature Partnership (hosted by Dorset Wildlife Trust) and Health & Nature Dorset.
HAND is a collaboration which aims to strengthen opportunities for people to connect with nature for wellbeing, by working with the health sector (including NHS Dorset and Public Health Dorset) and other environmental organisations (including National Trust, RSPB and the local authorities).
