Researchers from the University of Southampton are set to monitor visitors at five Isle of Wight locations this spring, aiming to build a clearer picture of how contact with nature affects people’s health and wellbeing.
Working alongside Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the team will survey people at Wilder Nunwell (pictured), Bembridge Beach, Puckpool and Appley parks in Ryde, and Sandown Beach – a mix of rewilded land, natural coastline, urban parks and managed beach.
The research begins in April, and the team wants to understand not just whether these spaces make people feel better, but precisely which elements of them are responsible.
Co-lead researcher Dr Rebecca Collins said,
“We have a general understanding that time spent in these outdoor spaces is good for us, but we don’t know exactly what components of nature are beneficial.”
She added,
“For example, we don’t know how big a role wildlife features like bird song or scenery play compared to more recreational activities like sea swimming or opportunities to socialise.”
Rewilding and wellbeing
The inclusion of Wilder Nunwell – a former arable farm near Brading that the Wildlife Trust took on a long-term lease in 2022 and has been returning to nature – gives the study a chance to examine whether rewilded land offers the same benefits as more established green spaces.
Deborah Whitfield, senior nature-based solutions manager at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said,
“We’re delighted that one of our rewilding sites on the Isle of Wight, Wilder Nunwell, is part of this research.
“By surveying visitors across five green and blue spaces, we’ll better understand how people use and value these landscapes, helping to guide future nature recovery.”
Deborah said the trust hopes the work will demonstrate broader value,
“Ultimately, we hope to show that restoring nature can improve not just biodiversity, but people’s wellbeing too – creating a genuine win-win for wildlife and local communities.”
Barriers to access
The researchers also want to identify what prevents people from spending time in these spaces more regularly, and which groups face the greatest barriers.
Co-lead Dr Sien Van Der Plank said,
“We’re hearing about concerns that young adults on the Isle of Wight have limited access and time to spend time in nature – time that’s thought to be beneficial for mental and physical health.”
She said the team plans to work creatively with that age group,
“Working with local artists, we want to invite young adults to be creative and share their experiences of visiting their local parks, coasts and other outdoor spaces.”
To support this, the researchers will partner with The Common Space, Artecology, and Swim the Wight to run creative workshops aimed at 18 to 35 year-olds.
Island’s unique position
The Isle of Wight’s designation as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 2019 – recognising the sustainable relationship between local communities and the natural environment – makes it a particularly fitting setting for research of this kind.
The study covers what researchers classify as both “green spaces” (land with vegetation) and “blue spaces” (rivers, lakes, and the sea), giving the team a broad range of environments to compare.
Source: BBC Hampshire and Isle of Wight
