MONTH IN REVIEW
HEALTH
VOLUNTEERING IN
NATURE HAS POSITIVE
EFFECT ON MENTAL
HEALTH, RESEARCH
SHOWS
NATURE
75% OF CITY
DWELLERS ‘WANT
MORE ACCESS TO
GREENSPACE’
Almost three quarters of
city dwellers want access to
greenspace or parkland within
walking distance from their
home, a new survey suggests.
Some 78% believe that trees
are essential for relaxing and
making them feeling happier,
while a similar percentage cited
their importance for health and
removing air pollution.
The survey was commissioned
by the Woodland Trust
and comes as it launches a
nationwide ‘neighbourhood
watch scheme’ for trees – to
inspire city people to value and
protect the natural wonders on
their doorstep.
Some 77% strongly agreed
that they would miss trees and
green spaces if they didn’t see
them in their local urban area, so
protecting what we already have
is vital whereas 80% said that
trees and woods give colour and
texture to cities and towns.
A further 51% said they would
be extremely concerned and
want to do something about it if
street trees were removed.
The Wildlife Trust has published a
new report which examines the efects
of volunteering in nature on people’s
mental health.
The study was carried out by the
University of Essex and found that 95%
of participants who were identiied as
having poor levels of mental health at
the start, reported an improvement in
six weeks, which increased further over
12 weeks.
The mental wellbeing of more than
two-thirds (69%) of all participants
had improved after just six weeks.
Improvements were greatest for
people new to volunteering with The
Wildlife Trusts and those who had poor
levels of mental health at the start.
The study - The Health and
Wellbeing Impacts of Volunteering
with The Wildlife Trusts - was the third
phase of scientiic research carried out
by the University of Essex on behalf of
the organisation.
It assessed changes in 139
participants’ attitudes, behaviour and
mental wellbeing over the course of
12 weeks during which they took part
in nature conservation volunteering
activities.
Dominic Higgins, nature and
wellbeing manager at The Wildlife
Trusts, said: “The results of this
structured research project make a
powerful case for nature having a larger
role in people’s everyday lives.”
The results of this research makes
a powerful case for nature having a
larger role in people’s lives.’’
In numbers
100,000
that’s how many snowdrop
bulbs Iverde planted for
the Snowdrop Festival
COUNCIL
ASPIRE LANDSCAPE
MANAGEMENT
CELEBRATES ITS
FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Aspire Landscape Management,
Ashford Borough Council’s
in-house grounds maintenance
service, has celebrated its one
year anniversary.
At the start of October
2016 the council brought the
responsibility for grounds
maintenance across the borough
back in-house.
The service covers the day-to-
day work of mowing, pruning,
planting, clearing and litter
picking on various spaces owned
by the council including open
green space, parks, loral beds,
cemeteries, areas around housing
sites, hedges, sports pitches and
associated footpaths.
Cllr Clair Bell, said: “We are
pleased with the impact Aspire
has made on the borough’s
presentation and the positive
reaction from the community.
“The in-house service has
given us greater lexibility we as
have been able to move resources
where they are needed most and
by enhancing Ashford’s overall
appearance and attractiveness
this has made the borough more
attractive for residents, visitors
and businesses.”
Dominic Higgins, nature and wellbeing manager,
The Wildlife Trusts
December 2017 | Landscape Insight
9