A collaboration between the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, NatureScot, Natural England and Forest Research, the  report summarises the collective research carried out by these organisations to provide a snapshot of how people visited nature and their experiences of it during this time.

Nature is one of our greatest assets. It is well known that connecting with the natural environment has many benefits for our physical health and mental wellbeing. The experience of visiting nature during Covid 19 was a polarised picture of experience, while some people’s interaction with nature increased during the pandemic, others visited nature less or not at all. 

The report found that in Scotland, most people adhered to the ‘stay local’ message of spring 2020. Visits to coastal locations and to more remote or rural places decreased while more use was made of local urban greenspaces. Around half of people (49%) in Scotland expected to visit the outdoors more often once the crisis was over.

Download the report

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greenspace scotland and The National Lottery Heritage Fund have produced two guides to help local authorities, other greenspace managers and user groups to manage and use parks, gardens and greenspaces safely during the coronavirus pandemic.

We are also working on two Covid Memorial programmes to help people remember and reflect, find hope and healing.

Managing parks and greenspaces during Covid-19