The People and Nature Survey for England gathers evidence and trend data through an online survey relating to people’s enjoyment, access, understanding of and attitudes to the natural environment, and it’s contributions to wellbeing.

Background to People and Nature Survey

The People and Nature Survey for England is one of the main sources of data and statistics on how people experience and think about the environment. It began collecting data via an online panel in April 2020, and runs continuously, in line with Government Statistical Service guidance on data collection during the COVID-19 crisis.

The People and Nature Survey will tell us about how COVID-19 is impacting people’s experience of green and natural spaces, how this is associated with physical and mental health, as well as how people’s attitudes to nature and behaviours are changing at this time. Data and insights from the People and Nature Survey will provide important evidence on impacts to support response and recovery, both under current restrictions and as requirements to stay at home ease.

Main points from the survey 

• During the period 2nd–30th April, nearly half of adults (49%) in England said that they had spent time outside in green and natural spaces in the previous two weeks. A further 46% reported that they had not spent time in these places.
• Urban greenspaces, such as parks and playing fields, were the most visited type of green and natural space (41% of adults reported visiting these places in the last month).
• A quarter of adults (26%) reported that they had not visited any green and natural space in the previous month.
• The large majority of adults (86%) with access to a private garden or allotment feel that this access is important to them (59% stating that it is very important).
• Most people (61%) agree that they feel like they are ‘part of nature’.
• The vast majority of adults (87%) agreed that ‘being in nature makes me happy’.

Read the full report