More people than ever before are concerned about damage to
nature, new national statistics published today (3 September
2019) by Natural England show.
While more people are spending time in nature than ever before,
the research indicates clear inequalities in opportunity for
engagement. Children from the most deprived areas are 20% less
likely to spend time outside than those in affluent areas, while
70% of children from white backgrounds spend time outside once a
week compared to 56% of children from black, Asian and ethnic
minority backgrounds.
The research also shows how important local parks and greenspaces
are to the nation’s mental and physical wellbeing, with health
and exercise the main reason why adults spend time outside and
green spaces in towns and cities the most frequently visited
natural environments.
Marian Spain, Interim Chief Executive of Natural England,
said:
“The overwhelming evidence published today makes clear the
priority the public give to investing in nature’s
recovery. Wildlife and greenspaces are hugely important for
people, providing them with places to exercise, socialise, learn
and experience the wonder of the natural world. Natural England
is committed to restoring nature by working with partners and the
public to help deliver Government’s 25 year Environment
Plan.
“This research also underlines how important it is that we create
new opportunities for people to connect with nature wherever they
live and whatever their age. We want everyone to enjoy the many
benefits nature brings and also to take part in caring for their
environment.”
In its tenth year, MENE is the longest-running survey of its kind
which tracks changes in how people use and relate to the natural
environment. It comes during the Year of Green Action, a
year-long drive to inspire and support people to connect with and
improve the natural environment.
The report also found:
- Use of our natural environment is the highest on record –
with visits to the natural environment up from an estimated 2.9
billion visits in 2009/10 to almost 4 billion in 2018/19;
- Most people’s experience of the natural environment is close
to home, on their doorstep. This is especially key for people
living in the most deprived areas. For example, children living
in the 10% most deprived areas of England are most likely to
visit urban greenspaces (62%) compared with only 30% who visit
the countryside; and
- Most visits to nature are taken on foot and are increasingly
close to home, with 44% of visits taken within 1 mile.
Natural England is committed to promoting health and wellbeing
through the natural environment, helping more people from a wider
cross-section of society benefit directly from the environment.
It is currently working with the Department for Education and
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on the
Children and Nature programme to improve the physical and mental
wellbeing of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The
includes delivering green school grounds, supporting pupil visits
to green spaces and improving woodland outreach activities.
The MENE survey is funded by Natural England, with support from
Defra. First commissioned in 2009, it provides a wealth of
evidence relating to outdoor recreation, behaviour and
attitudes.
This year, for the first time, Natural England has created an
interactive map allowing users to see the results for their
specific area and better understand how their community uses its
local natural environments. The raw data has been provided for
each Local Authority to allow more advanced analysis. A
short
story
map providing infographics of key things learnt over the
decade of MENE is also available.
Natural England uses the research to understand how people use,
enjoy and are motivated to protect the natural environment and to
help monitor changes in use of the natural environment over time.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The full MENE release including the Adults Headline Report
for 2018/19 can be found online here. The childrens headline
report can be found here
- The statistical release comprises a report presenting the
headline findings for the tenth and final year of MENE fieldwork
from March 2018 to February 2019, with analysis of ten years of
the survey data (from 2009 to 2019).
