The University of Derby and the National Trust have joined forces to launch a series of activities to help people engage more with their natural surroundings.

The Trust has published the Noticing Nature Report, based on research carried out with the University of Derby's Nature Connectedness Research Group, which shows those with an active ‘engagement’ with nature are more likely to help tackle the nature crisis.

A growing body of evidence points to the positive impacts of nature for people. Yet, while evidence is growing rapidly, this is prompting new questions about the essential ingredients of a positive and sustainable relationship with nature for individuals.

The research found widespread concern for declines in nature among both adults and children, aged between eight and 15, who were surveyed by YouGov as part of the study. More than half of adults (52%) said they had witnessed decline in the natural world in their lifetime.

With the research the National Trust launched its year of action to tackle ‘nature deficiency’