This in from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Ed
When we stop and think, we all know that nature is good for us – but how often do we stop and think? Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is today launching My Wild Life, which encourages us all to stop for a minute to reflect on what wildlife means to us and think about how to make wildlife part of our everyday lives.
If we did this, not only would wildlife benefit, but so would we – because contact with nature is good for us. Those people lucky enough to live near and experience green spaces have a 50% chance of being more healthy – both physically and mentally and are 40% less likely to become overweight or obese.
Why the natural world is so important to us all
Sir David Attenborough has travelled the world in search of wildlife but in London where he lives he can watch stag beetles flying in his garden and marvel at ancient trees in London’s parks.
Sir David, The Wildlife Trusts’ President Emeritus, says:
“Contact with nature should not be the preserve of the privileged. It is critical to the personal development of our children.”
This is why Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is restoring wildlife and wild places in towns and cities across the two counties as well as in the countryside, and why we are encouraging people from all walks of life to share their own personal stories about what nature means to them.
Sir David Attenborough is one of hundreds of people taking part so far, alongside students, nurses, families, volunteers, teachers and many others from across the UK. From today this, and other stories, can be found at www.mywildlife.org.uk where people can add their own story and discover wild places near to them.
Speeding nature’s recovery
Sir David continues
“People turn to nature in moments of joy and in moments of sadness. We are part of the natural world: we depend on it for the air we breathe and the food we eat. The Wildlife Trusts are helping people to understand their role in the natural world and their dependency on it. This is essential if we are going to speed nature’s recovery.”
Simon King OBE, The Wildlife Trusts’ President, said:
“People across the UK benefit from the work The Wildlife Trusts do – from nature therapy projects to forest schools, the thousands of wild places we care for and our work bringing back wildlife and natural processes to landscapes. We’ve always known that contact with nature can make a big difference to people’s lives. The evidence is now building to back this up. We hope these stories inspire others to think about their relationship with the natural world and to make nature part of their life.”
Issy Boggust, 15, participates in events at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve Blashford Lakes, and her story features in the My Wild Life campaign.
Issy says:
“I do like being outside – it’s so different from being indoors. It’s so fresh and there is always something different to see. Wildlife for me is just learning I think. Learning all different things about wildlife and enjoying myself in an enormous outdoor classroom!”
Putting nature at the heart of decisions
As well as providing thousands of opportunities for people across the UK to make nature part of their everyday lives, The Wildlife Trusts are calling for a Nature and Wellbeing Act in England to put nature at the heart of decisions about how our country is run, including health, housing and other development, education, economic growth, and flood resilience.
The proposals have been put forward by The Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB, supported by a partnership of 20 organisations.
Share your wildlife stories
Everyone can share their stories of the wildlife and wild places which matter to them and why, using #MyWildLife on twitter, facebook and instagram.
- Find inspiration – explore stories about people and nature at mywildlife.org.uk, including Sir David’s, Simon’s and Issy’.
- Share your wild life – share your ‘Wild Life’ and what nature means to you. Upload your story at mywildlife.org.uk or use #MyWildLife
- Wild is better, pass it on – read and share our ‘10 Reasons Why Wild Is Better’ infographic at mywildlife.org.uk
- Make nature part of your life – see our ideas for putting the wild back in your life mywildlife.org.uk
- Ask for change – send a message to your MP asking them to and call for a Nature and Wellbeing Act in their Party’s election manifesto
Image: © With kind permission of n80426
