Nine in 10 people believe National Parks can help support people’s mental health and wellbeing, while eight in 10 agree National Parks are taking action on climate and nature.
A new report from National Parks UK reveals strong public support for the wider role National Parks can play in people’s lives, alongside shared concerns about mental wellbeing, nature loss, access to nature and the impacts of climate change.
Based on a survey of 3,000 people across England, Scotland and Wales, supported by 30 in-depth interviews, the research found:
- 90% believe National Parks can help support people’s mental health and wellbeing.
- 80% agree National Parks are taking action on climate and nature.
- 75% of people say feeling connected to nature is important.
- 89% say reducing stress and pressure in daily life is important.
- 76% care strongly about pollution, litter and damage to natural places.
- 69% care strongly about flooding and extreme weather.
Large majorities also want better access to nature and stronger local communities.
Across the UK, National Parks are already helping turn these shared priorities into action.
From supporting people living with dementia to spend time outdoors and connect with others in the Cairngorms, to planting hedgerows, restoring grasslands and creating ponds for wildlife in the North York Moors, providing specialist beach wheelchairs so more people can reach the Pembrokeshire coast, and growing native trees from locally collected seed to restore woodlands in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, people and partners across National Parks are turning these priorities into practical action.
The report highlights how National Parks are more than beautiful landscapes: they are places where action is happening and people and nature can thrive together.
Gordon Watson, Chief Executive of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said:
‘This report shows that National Parks are more than beautiful landscapes: they are places where people and nature can thrive together, and where significant action is already well underway to help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges.
‘The projects we’re highlighting across Scotland, Wales and England are just a snapshot of the work National Parks are delivering, but they clearly demonstrate that, despite the scale of those challenges, we can and should still have hope.
‘Positive change is possible, and the public support is there to drive that change forward. Through collective action, connection and innovative solutions, National Parks are helping to make that change happen.’
Jim Mitchell, Access and Learning Manager at the NPA, said:
‘When it comes to nature connection you can take part on many different levels – from having a picnic, taking photos and noticing the details around you, to a full-on hike. And the New Forest National Park in autumn is arguably the best place to get back to our roots!’
Where change is happening
Across the UK’s National Parks, projects are responding to the issues people say matter to them.
Cairngorms National Park is supporting people living with dementia to connect with nature and build social connection through an innovative programme. One carer attending the Outdoor Brain Health and Dementia Resource Centre described it as: ‘A lovely, welcoming place in amazing surroundings which put us right at the heart of nature.’
North York Moors National Park is restoring habitats to support wildlife and help strengthen the resilience of the landscape through volunteering initiatives. Bob Dicker, a member of the local community who volunteers at the project said: ‘This is a great way for a bunch of local people to say, ‘we can do our bit’.’
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is improving opportunities for more people to experience and enjoy the coast, by addressing physical barriers to access. Angela Robinson, Health and Wellbeing Officer, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said: ‘Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy Pembrokeshire’s coast, and this scheme helps make that possible for people who might otherwise be excluded.’
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is supporting a network of tree nurseries to help restore the landscape, creating more opportunities for local people andstrengthening the resilience of the community to climate change. Hamshya Rajkumar, Nursery Volunteer Coordinator for the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Countryside Trust, said: ‘…the nursery is as much about people as plants. Volunteers and local communities are integral to its success, learning new skills, connecting with nature and helping to restore habitats across the National Park.’
More than beautiful places
Collectively, National Parks are already making a positive difference to people’s lives.
The research found that 90% of people believe National Parks can help support people’s mental health and wellbeing, while 80% agree that National Parks are taking action on climate and nature.
These findings highlight the growing role of National Parks beyond their iconic landscapes. From supporting health and wellbeing and creating opportunities for local communities, to restoring nature and responding to climate change, National Parks are helping address some of the biggest challenges facing society today.
National Parks UK is launching the report alongside its UK-wide initiative, The Answer Is National Parks, which showcases how projects across all 15 UK National Parks are turning these shared priorities into practical action.
[Shared press release]
ENDS
- Issued by: National Parks UK
- For media enquiries, contact: press@nationalparks.co.uk
Notes to editor
About the research
National Parks UK commissioned a CMRS-accredited consultancy to undertake the research underpinning The Answer Is National Parks. The consultancy worked with research panel provider PureSpectrum to deliver the quantitative survey and WDG Research to undertake the qualitative research.
The quantitative research surveyed 3,000 people aged 16+ across England, Scotland and Wales. The online survey used quotas for age and gender, socio-economic group and ethnicity, with the results weighted to reflect the population across the three countries.
The survey was supported by 30 in-depth interviews, with 10 conducted in each of England, Scotland and Wales, exploring in greater depth what matters to people in their lives today, their relationship with nature and National Parks, and the challenges they want to see action on.
The findings identified four connected priorities: health and wellbeing; nature recovery; access and communities; and resilience and readiness.
The full research report, The Answer Is National Parks, including the methodology, findings and National Park case studies, is available at: www.nationalparks.uk/answer-is.
National Park stories and interview opportunities
The report features examples from across the UK’s 15 National Parks showing how people, communities and partners are already taking practical action.
The stories highlighted in this release include work supporting people affected by dementia in Cairngorms National Park, habitat restoration in North York Moors National Park, accessible experiences in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, and community-led woodland recovery in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Further information, additional case studies and introductions to relevant National Park teams, project partners and case-study contributors are available from the National Parks UK press office.
Information about all 15 UK National Parks can also be found at nationalparks.uk/parks. The NPUK site provides individual routes to each of the 15 National Parks. www.nationalparks.uk/parks
Images and video
A selection of high-resolution campaign and case-study photography is available for editorial use, including images from the National Park projects featured in the report.
Image captions, locations and required photographer credits will be supplied with each image.
Additional imagery and, where available, video/B-roll and interview opportunities can be arranged through the National Parks UK press office.
Media enquiries and image requests: press@nationalparks.co.uk
About National Parks UK
National Parks UK brings together the UK’s 15 National Parks to show the difference they make for people, nature and communities.
Across England, Scotland and Wales, National Parks are living, working landscapes where people are taking action to restore nature, respond to climate change, support thriving communities and help more people connect with and enjoy the outdoors.
Working with partners and communities, National Park Authorities create opportunities for people to connect with nature, support their health and wellbeing, and make a positive difference in the places where they live and visit.
National Parks are for everyone. Together, they have an important role to play in creating a healthier, greener and more resilient future.
- For more information, visit https://nationalparks.uk/
- Press office: press@nationalparks.co.uk