There has been much research, and much written, about how many people, especially those living in towns and cities, are now significantly disconnected with nature, to the detriment of their mental and physical health. A number of initiatives, such as ‘Forest School’ (https://forestschoolassociation.org/), have grown up to try to provide the means for children to develop essential skills in a natural setting, whilst others such as Rewilding Britain (https://www.rewildingbritain.org.uk/why-rewild/benefits-of-rewilding/reconnecting-with-nature) and the Sensory Trust (https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/) support adults to gain and benefit from an understanding and appreciation of nature.
In December last year, a new initiative, the Reconnect Nature Association, was established by Dr Kalliopi (Kallia) Pediaditi Prud’homme, a sustainable development scientist, collective intelligence facilitator and artist based in France. Andy Moffat has known Kallia since working with her on the SUBR:IM (Sustainable Urban Brownfield Regeneration: Integrated Management) programme funded by EPSRC under its Sustainable Urban Environments initiative in the 2000s. He was therefore delighted to be asked to serve on the ReconnectNature International Strategic and Scientific Committee, which met, for the first time, last week. ReconnectNature’s Objectives are to:
- provide accessible and educational opportunities to reconnect children, vulnerable groups, and isolated individuals with nature;
- foster creativity, self-confidence, and mental health through immersive and artistic outdoor experiences;
- strengthen resilience to climate and social challenges using interdisciplinary, international, and intergenerational approaches.
Further information about this young organisation can be found on its website: https://reconnectnature.org/ and its LinkedIn site: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reconnectnature/