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A shocking 75% of young people in London are disconnected from nature! A whopping three year study by the RSPB has shown that a worrying amount of young people today do not have a relationship with the natural world.
The report’s findings will be released at an event at the Houses of Parliament tonight [16 October]. It was undertaken because of growing concerns over generations of children with little or no contact with the natural world and wildlife, which the RSPB believes is one of the biggest threats to UK nature. The new study shows there are statistically significant differences between children’s connection to nature at a national level across the UK, as well as between boys and girls, and British urban and rural homes.
In May, 25 wildlife organisations, including the RSPB, released the groundbreaking State of Nature report, which revealed 60 per cent of the wildlife species studied have declined over recent decades. The charity believes that ensuring young people are connected to nature will mean they develop deeply-held feelings and attitudes towards wildlife and the world we all live in; and as a result will care enough to help save it in the future.
Dr Mike Clarke, RSPB Chief Executive, will address MPs at a reception tonight, where he will reveal the report’s findings and urge governments and local authorities to adopt this new approach. He will say: “This report is ground-breaking stuff. Millions of people are increasingly worried that today's children have less contact with nature than ever before, but until now there has been no robust scientific attempt to measure and track connection to nature among children in the UK, which means the problem hasn’t been given the attention it deserves.“Nature is in trouble, and children’s connection to nature is closely linked to this. The recent State of Nature report shows that nature in the UK is being lost at a dramatic rate. We can all take action to put nature back into childhood, to ensure young people have better lives and a better future.“For the first time, we have created a baseline that we and others can use to measure just how connected to nature the UK’s children really are. By adopting this new approach, we can all monitor children’s connection and we are recommending that governments and local authorities take action to increase it through policy and practice decisions.”
Children enjoying nature at Rainham by David McHugh (rspb-images.com)
What a shocking number - three-quarters of London children...
There is something that you can do. You can inspire the younger generation to love anad appreciate nature.
Why not take your family for a walk, play games outside, get muddy! We have a number of different nature reserves around the country - you can visit them. Here at Rainham we have fabulous facilities for young people. It's a safe place to walk, the paths and boardwalks are good, we've got a playground, cafe and shop.
I know a number of parents/ grandparents/ carers that are not overly confident when it comes to exploring nature, so we have a variety of things to help you...
Over the half term we have a variety of different events that might be of interest for you...
Halloween Trail - free spooky fun for the family over half termMonday 28 October to Sunday 3 November, you can pop in any time over the week.
Pick a spooky sheet from reception and explore the reserve finding the clues to discover the mystery!
On Tuesday 29 October (10.30 am-12.30 pm) come along to our Habitatacular Hibernation event. Feeling sleepy? At this time of year some of our wildlife are getting ready to sleep all the way through winter to avoid the winter ‘brrrrrrr’. Here at Rainham we want to help the creatures get ready, and we can help you do the same! Go on a hibernation hunt, make hogitats, bee bedrooms, bug beds, and make your own leafy pledge. Send the creatures off to sleep with sweet dreams by making your own dream catcher out of natural materials. Booking is required, give us a call or email for more information. Price: £2 for Wildlife Explorer members, £4 for non-members, and free for adults.
If you're feeling brave enough come along to Rainham's Spooktacular Halloween on Thursday 31 October from 5-7 pm. Join us for a frightfully fun time! Are you brave enough to take on the challenge of our Halloween trail challenge? Not for the Faint hearted. Join us at different stages of your journey to make special Halloween birdfeeders, try your luck in our feeling boxes and make your own bats and potions in our very own Bat cave. Come in your spookiest Halloween costumes, and recover later with some spooky refreshments.Suitable for children aged 6-12, booking is required, give us a call or email for more information. Price: £5 for RSPB Wildlife Explorer members, £6.50 for child non-members, £1.50 for adults.
So get out and enjoy nature!