Can connecting with nature really boost your wellbeing?

Connecting People to Nature is the theme of this year’s World Environment Day, which takes place on 5 June.  This topic is at the very heart of what Landcarers do every day, but outside of the obvious environmental benefits, what else is positive about your team connecting with nature?

There is growing evidence from around the world praising the benefits of time spent in nature.  It has been said that people who spend more time in green spaces have lower levels of stress.  The natural environment is celebrated for improving health and well-being, and helping people recover from illness.

A report from Deakin University stated that “research evidence shows that close proximity to green spaces is clearly associated with reduced prevalence of depression, anxiety and other health problems.”

As employee wellbeing is a factor front of mind in most businesses, finding ways for your people to connect with nature can only be a good thing.

At Landcare Australia, we’re encouraging everyone to connect with nature on or around World Environment Day and use it as a way of fundraising to support fantastic community Landcare projects.

Through our dedicated web portal, you can register your company’s event and receive collateral to help encourage your team members to get involved!  It doesn’t have to be a big, complicated idea – it could be something as simple as a sausage sizzle or a lunch-time talk.  We’ve come up with a few ideas to help get the brainstorm started!

• Is your workplace near a park or green area? Dust off the backyard cricket set and have an outdoor lunch-time sausage sizzle or picnic, collecting donations to go to Landcare Australia.

• If you’re lucky enough to work close to an area of bush, organise a lunch-time or early morning bush walk, led by a local expert. Find someone who can educate your employees about local flora and fauna, enhancing their appreciation for their local bushland.

• Organise a Corporate Environmental Volunteering Day with Landcare Australia. We can find a Landcare site near your workplace, giving your employees a chance to get out of the office and get their hands dirty while helping their local environment and bonding with their colleagues.

• If you can’t get outside, find someone to come to your office and inspire people to connect with nature. Talk to Landcare Australia about how to find a local wildlife or plant life expert, a local Landcare group leader or a community garden coordinator. Host a lunch-time talk where people can learn about the benefits of connecting with nature and opportunities in their local areas.

If you need more ideas, check out our World Environment Day fundraising website here.  You can register your event so you have a dedicated fundraising web page to promote to your friends and colleagues.  We will also send you promotional resources to help you spread the word and get people involved.

Help your people connect with nature this World Environment Day, and support Landcare’s work, ensuring we have strong, healthy landscapes to connect with and enjoy now and in the future.