Nature Works Wonders

We are a part of nature

In his film A Life on Our Planet, David Attenborough asks us ‘to move from being apart from nature to becoming a part of nature once again.’

Many of us have enjoyed reconnecting with it during lockdown: listening to birdsong, spending time in our gardens or going out for walks.

These activities make us feel good by using all our senses, drawing our attention outwards and giving our minds some respite.

Noticing nature

Improving nature connection (or connected- ness) involves following initiatives to build closer, healthier and more sustainable relationships with the natural world.

Good examples are The Wildlife Trust’s 30 Days Wild month of June, self-guided trails and audio walks. For those seeking a deeper connection, there are more specialist activities available such as ‘natural mindfulness’ walks, immersive ‘forest bathing’ experiences and mindful nature photography.

Where to connect with nature

Look for nature wherever you go: even urban areas may have flowering weeds poking through pavements or buddleia growing wild on railway embankments and walls. Observe more closely the gardens and trees in your area. Develop a sense of child-like curiosity: you may even be inspired to look up the names of those flowering ‘weeds’!

Consider (re)starting a daily walk, perhaps picking up some litter as you go.

The local area provides ample opportunity to immerse yourself in natural surroundings rich in wildlife: explore miles of interconnecting wetland habitats from Charvil Country Park and BBOWT's Loddon Nature Reserve in Twyford to Lavell’s Lake Nature Reserve and Dinton Pastures in Hurst.

Bridge near Charvil Country Park

There are some wonderful private gardens to visit this summer through the National Garden Scheme. The NGS website even has videos of virtual garden tours to enjoy on a rainy day! Or book a visit to Waltham Place, the biodynamic farm estate in White Waltham, for garden tours in small groups and nature-related talks.

Allotment Week will run from 9 to 15 August, reminding us of the benefits of gardening for both physical and mental health - plus you can eat what you grow! Even sowing salad leaves or cress on a windowsill can bring satisfaction from observing the growing cycle of nature.

Gardeners can take their hobby to the next level by joining a local horticultural society and entering a show. Hurst Horticultural Society has its annual show on 21 August and Twyford & Ruscombe Horticultural Association is planning its autumn show for 11 September. Such clubs are inexpensive to join and the shows create a lot of fun for all the family, with flower, craft and food classes to enter.

Whatever you choose, hopefully feeling more ‘part of nature’ will bring you joy and positivity as we move through the seasons.

Article by Nicolette Evans, The Curious Nature Connector. She runs Nature Works Wonders to help people fall back in love with nature and enjoy life again.

Follow her nature observations on social media: @natureworkswondersuk

Read Nicolette's blog: www.natureworkswonders.co.uk