Wild and Well: Nature Connection, Wellbeing and Meaning in Life

Readers may recall that in May 2020 Michael Wilson undertook a study of ‘nature connectedness and meaning in life‘ in the Northumberland National Park.

Among other findings, the research showed that green areas with rich biodiversity provide numerous opportunities to help people who connect with nature to make meaning in life. Consequently, any depletion of natural settings would diminish the benefits that these green spaces provide.

Results of nature connectedness and meaning in life research now available

You may recall that last May (2020), Michael Wilson from Derby University began a study within Northumberland National Park investigating how people feel connected to nature and how this connection might contribute to (or detract from) ideas about meaning in life. Well, we’ve been contacted by Michael today, as his results are now available.

Invitation to participate in nature connectedness and meaning in life research

We have received [4 May 2020] the following email communication from Michael Wilson at University of Derby.

Invitation

I am in my final year of doing an MSc in Psychology at the University of Derby, and as part of my degree I am conducting a study into “Nature Connectedness and Meaning in Life in the Northumberland National Park”. While the benefits of being in nature are well known, not a lot of research has been conducted into how being in nature may be linked to ideas about meaning in life. Also, it is possible that different nature settings (e.g., urban parks, allotments, forest school) have a different impact on people using these spaces. Therefore, I am writing to invite you to participate in this research. The project is supervised by Dr Ryan Lumber (ryan.lumber@derby.ac.uk; 01332 597756).