by Rachel Westwood.
We’re losing contact with nature:
We’ve seen plenty of evidence about the importance of being connected with nature for our mental and physical health. Being able to see and enjoy a garden, park or other green space is importantly for all of us.
Worrying new research from the University of Derby suggests that we are losing our vital connections with nature - which is not only bad for health and wellbeing, but makes us less likely to take action to protect nature. The study reports that people’s connectedness to nature has declined by 60% since 1800, with a study in Sheffield finding people spending only 4 1/2 minutes a day in nature. Action is needed to reverse this trend. Initiatives such as the Wildlife Trusts’ 30 days wild help, but the greatest impact comes from early years exposure to nature, with parents, carers and schools having a vital role to play, alongside rewilding and greening of urban areas.
Our outdoor activities, services, using the outdoor play area, planting seeds, and planting trees and wildflowers in the church yard all help, as does set aside and planting in our gardens, and helping children and young people to get involved and learn more about nature.
You can find out more about the research and the importance of connectedness with nature at https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4834/6/3/82 and https://www.natureconnectedness.net/ - a site developed by the University of Derby in partnership with Natural England.
Where are we Now? |
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We are proud to say that we have achieved the ‘Silver’ award level of the A’Rocha scheme. We intend to build on this and achieve Gold by recycling more, encouraging our church members and other churches to follow environmentally sensitive policies, and looking after our site (the churchyard) to promote ecological diversity and the wellbeing of the natural world. As part of this, we are thrilled to say that we were able to host the YCCN pilgrimage to the Glasgow Climate
Here’s our newly planted native (organic!) Yew hedge and our bee-friendly wildflower area which is showing good results!Summit!
| Recycling: |
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We have “recycling” boxes in the entrance to the Church and Hall where you can leave old mobile phones, stamps, spectacles and printer cartridges! These can often be sold to raise funds for the needy or passed to charities who can use them. We also can help with the recycling of many other things - contact us if you would like to help our Recycling efforts as we do need a new Coordinator!
We also try to feed the birds, encourage native wildflowers to grow in our grounds, and welcome people to use our space to relax - but please do so responsibly and do not leave litter! That’s what the bins and recycling boxes are for.