Category Publications
Defra Evidence Statement on the links between natural environments and human health
Working with Dr Simon Maxwell of the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs‘s Environment Analysis Unit, we have co-authored a comprehensive Evidence Statement on the links between natural environments and human health. The aim of the evidence statement is to inform Defra’s policies and service delivery. You can download a copy of the full […]
British Academy’s ‘Where We Live Now’ reports
In Summer 2016 Becca and Professor Michael Depledge worked with the British Academy to hold one of the regional Where We Live Now project workshops in Cornwall. The results of the project have now been released. The British Academy is the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences – the study of peoples,cultures […]
Marine wildlife as an important component of coastal visits: The role of perceived biodiversity and species behaviour
Members of the Beyond Greenspace team have collaborated with the RSPB to examine whether marine wildlife is an important component of the wellbeing benefits of visits to the coast. The results of the study were published earlier this month in the journal Marine Policy. Our colleague Rebecca Jefferson from the RSPB has written a great […]
How could feeling connected to nature make us happy?
Blog by Anne Cleary, Griffith University People are starting to get excited about nature connection, and potentially with good reason. In its broadest sense, nature connection describes the mix of feelings, beliefs and behaviours that we have towards nature. Research suggests that high levels of nature connection are likely to play an important role in […]
World Health Organisation Urban Green Spaces and Health report
Ben Wheeler has worked with Mike Depledge and colleagues from around Europe to co-author an important new report, for World Health Organisation (Europe), on the beneficial effects of urban green space for health. The report can be downloaded here. The comprehensive report summarises the existing evidence of linkages (both positive and negative) between urban green […]
Exploring green/blue space and time using geonarratives
Blog by Sarah Bell A growing evidence base highlights ‘green’ and ‘blue’ spaces, such as parks, gardens, woodlands, beaches and rivers, as examples of ‘therapeutic landscapes’ incorporated into people’s lives to promote and maintain a sense of wellbeing. However, being ‘too busy’ and unable to find time is one of the most frequently cited reasons for not visiting […]
A systematic review of attention restoration theory
Heather Ohly and Ruth Garside, working with colleagues at Exeter and elsewhere, have undertaken a systematic review of evidence for the relative attention restoration potential of natural settings compared to other settings. ‘Attention Restoration Theory’ (ART) is used to explain some of the apparent benefits of exposure to natural environments. In the paper Heather […]
Recreational physical activity in natural environments and implications for health: A population based cross-sectional study in England
ECEHH colleagues Mat White and Lewis Elliott have published new research which details an analysis of recreational physical activity undertaken in England’s natural environments. The authors used Natural England’s Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment data set and found that: A considerable total amount of physical activity takes place in natural environments Over 8 […]
Natural England evidence summaries
Becca has been working with Natural England to produce a series of evidence briefings on the relationships between the natural environment and a range of outcomes. The notes are aimed at and intended to inform policy makers, practitioners, practice enablers (such as Natural England, Natural Resources Wales etc.), local decision makers, and the wider research […]
Social prescribing review: nature based interventions for mild to moderate depression
Researchers from ECEHH and the wider Universities of Exeter and Plymouth are undertaking a review of evidence of the most effective approaches to social prescribing, focusing on nature based interventions for mild to moderate depression. Social prescribing is a means of enabling primary care services to refer patients with social, emotional or practical needs to […]
Beyond Greenspace 