A Qualitative Analysis of UK Wetland Visitor Centres as a Health Resource

Challenges and opportunities for integrating social science in a conservation nongovernmental organization

Although the importance of social science to conservation practice and policy is well accepted, social scientists remain in the minority in conservation nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). We explored how social science has started to inform the work of WWT, an NGO dedicated to the restoration of wetlands for people and nature. Through reflections on our experiences working in WWT's social dimensions unit and interviews with colleagues from different backgrounds and roles, we critically reflected on the integration of social science in wetland conservation science, advocacy, and practice. Social science was a relatively new and marginal research domain for WWT. There was confusion within the organization around what social science entails and its value for conservation practice. We and our colleagues have faced challenges communicating across disciplines and establishing a rigorous ethical review process for social science research. It is difficult to navigate under a scarcity mindset in conservation (i.e., that there is not enough time, resources, or funding) and at the same time to build collaborations and long-term relationships and contribute to wider environmental and social movements. Social science integration brought multiple opportunities to WWT, including creating and showing impact, building support, and broadening funding opportunities. Social science was seen to inform campaigns and wetland restoration policy. Further integration of social science is needed at WWT. To achieve this, we recommend building confidence in the role of social science across teams through further training to improve organizational competency in social science theory and methods. We emphasize the need for thoughtful, long-term approaches alongside shorter term approaches to wetland restoration. We recommend that conservation NGOs promote practices of self-reflection to recognize the inherently political nature of conservation. We expect that our experiences and recommendations are relevant for other organizations. We invite other perspectives and hope our reflections lead to further conversations in the conservation sector.

A generational relational model of nature and mental wellbeing: results of a qualitative analysis

Introduction

There is a developing evidence base for the benefits of natural environments for health and mental wellbeing. However, given the increasing urbanisation of our planet and subsequent disconnection from our natural world, there is a danger that we may ultimately suffer from a nature 'generational amnesia'. The facets and mechanisms underpinning these relationships are poorly understood and theoretical frameworks are needed to aid further research. There is a paucity of research into the lived experiences of people with good wellbeing and their nature experiences, which has the potential to elucidate key elements of the nature-wellbeing relationship.

Methods

The current study used a qualitative design to explore themes concerning the lived experiences with nature, of 12 people with self-reported good wellbeing. Semi-structured interviews were carried out and data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Two overarching themes of human-nature relationship and self-regulation encapsulated the data. Within the first, there were two superordinate themes of developmental and nature interconnectedness. Self-regulation consisted of managing health and flourishing.

Discussion

A theoretical model is proposed to help better understand these relational themes in a generational context. The model is informed by Cognitive Analytic Therapy and attachment theory and generates testable hypotheses for future research.

Expanding the role of the future zoo: Wellbeing should become the fifth aim for modern zoos

Zoos and aquariums have an enormous global reach and hence an ability to craft meaningful conservation action for threatened species, implement educational strategies to encourage human engagement, development and behavior change, and conduct scientific research to enhance the husbandry, roles and impacts of the living collection. The recreational role of the zoo is also vast- people enjoy visiting the zoo and this is often a shared experience amongst family and friends. Evaluating how the zoo influences this "captive audience" and extending its reach to include a compassionate approach to animals and people can further enhance the mission, value, and relevance of their work. The modern zoo's current aims-Conservation, Education, Research and Recreation-provide useful foundations for the activities that zoos conduct at a local and national level. However, to improve sustainability of their actions and outcomes, we feel that Wellbeing should become the fifth aim of the modern zoo for the future- both from an animal perspective (ensuring that populations are managed according to prevailing behavioral needs) and from a human perspective (enhancing access to nature, promoting planetary friendly behavior changes and ways of living, and advancing the wellbeing of the zoo's workforce). This paper provides discussion and review of how Wellbeing is already a substantial part of what zoos work on as well as posing the idea of altering the Recreation aim of the zoo to one of Engagement, which potentially is more measurable and therefore can allow zoo researchers and managers further options for the collection of evidence on the local and global reach of their zoo's aims. Education, Engagement, Conservation, Research and Wellbeing provide a more complete picture of the roles of the modern zoo for the animals (both in situ and ex situ), human visitors and workforce, and to society more widely.

Beyond Blue and Green Spaces: Identifying and Characterizing Restorative Environments on Sichuan Technology and Business University Campus

Undergraduates commonly suffer from stress and anxiety; therefore, it is imperative to find restorative places on campus. Although blue and green spaces are good for recovery and stress relief, previous studies have failed to determine other types of restorative spaces on campuses. Using a bottom-up participatory smartphone photo survey, this study recruited a sample of 243 students from Sichuan Technology and Business University in China, and the results were as follows: (1) potential restorative spaces on campus were grouped into five categories: green, blue, gray, living, and study space; (2) no significant differences were found in the assessment of the five restorative spaces, all of which showed positive effects; (3) the five restorative spaces were linked with four restorative characteristics in different ways, with green, blue, gray, and living space showing the "being away" characteristic (refuges from the hassles of everyday life, indicate geographical or psychological distance), and gray and study spaces showing the "fascination" characteristic (effortless attention); (4) visit duration played an important role in the environment's potential to promote recovery. A shorter visit duration owing to a lack of infrastructure and interest points may contribute to reduced benefits. This study has important implications for the design and management of restorative environments on college campuses.

Tourism as a Tool in Nature-Based Mental Health: Progress and Prospects Post-Pandemic

The healthcare sector recognises the role of nature in mental health. The tourism sector is equipped to take people to national parks. The conservation sector gains support from visitors. Theoretical frameworks for mental health benefits from nature tourism include: tourism destinations and activities; tourist personalities and life histories; sensory and emotional components of tourist experiences; and intensity and duration of memories. Mental health deteriorated worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recovery of global economic productivity requires immediate, accessible, affordable mental health measures at national scales, and nature-based approaches provide the best option. Different countries have adopted a variety of public, private, or voluntary mechanisms. Some focus on design of activities, others on provision of facilities. Costs and implementation depend on key research questions: marginal benefits of nature tour guides or psychologists compared to self-guided nature experiences; comparisons between repeated brief visits and one-off nature holidays; effects of biodiversity, flagship species, and scenic or wilderness quality; and differences between individuals, depending on personalities, life histories, and mental health status and symptoms.