What are the barriers to Nature Connection?

Nature Connection Survey

This survey is designed to help us, at NurtureWild CIC, gain a greater understanding of the barriers that people face to connecting to nature and what can be done to help overcome them.

Your responses are really valuable to us, please try to answer every question as honestly as you can, all responses will be anonymous and will only be used for the benefit of the community.

Thank you for taking the time to help us help you!

Question Title

* 1. Overall, how would you rate your mental health?

Excellent

Somewhat Good

Average

Somewhat Poor

Poor

Not sure

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. Overall, how would you rate your physical health?

Excellent

Somewhat good

Average

Somewhat poor

Poor

Not sure

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. What do you feel is most negatively impactful to your health and wellbeing?

Working too much

Not getting enough exercise

Being socially isolated

Being frequently unwell

Not getting enough support

High stress levels

Not enough time alone

Financial struggles

Not getting enough time outdoors

Pollution

Eating a nutritious diet

Lack of sleep

Lack of sense of belonging

No network of close friends

Lack of self - esteem

Lack of a sense of purpose and meaning

Lack of fun hobbies and leisure pursuits

Not feeling able to adapt to change

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 4. Please indicate the extent to which each of the following statements describes you by using the appropriate number from the scale

(Environmental Identity Scale (EID) created by Clayton and colleagues designed to measure an individual’s environmental identity. The EID Scale was developed for adults and was originally tested with college students in American universities (Clayton, 2003). Clayton, Fraser, and Burgess (2011))

	1 - Not at all true of me	2	3	4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	5	6	7 - Completely true of me
I like to spend time outdoors in natural settings (such as woods, local parks, lake or beach, or a leafy yard or garden)	I like to spend time outdoors in natural settings (such as woods, local parks, lake or beach, or a leafy yard or garden) 1 - Not at all true of me	I like to spend time outdoors in natural settings (such as woods, local parks, lake or beach, or a leafy yard or garden) 2	I like to spend time outdoors in natural settings (such as woods, local parks, lake or beach, or a leafy yard or garden) 3	I like to spend time outdoors in natural settings (such as woods, local parks, lake or beach, or a leafy yard or garden) 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	I like to spend time outdoors in natural settings (such as woods, local parks, lake or beach, or a leafy yard or garden) 5	I like to spend time outdoors in natural settings (such as woods, local parks, lake or beach, or a leafy yard or garden) 6	I like to spend time outdoors in natural settings (such as woods, local parks, lake or beach, or a leafy yard or garden) 7 - Completely true of me
I think of myself as a part of nature, not separate from it	I think of myself as a part of nature, not separate from it 1 - Not at all true of me	I think of myself as a part of nature, not separate from it 2	I think of myself as a part of nature, not separate from it 3	I think of myself as a part of nature, not separate from it 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	I think of myself as a part of nature, not separate from it 5	I think of myself as a part of nature, not separate from it 6	I think of myself as a part of nature, not separate from it 7 - Completely true of me
If I had enough resources, such as time or money, I would spend some of them to protect the natural environment.	If I had enough resources, such as time or money, I would spend some of them to protect the natural environment. 1 - Not at all true of me	If I had enough resources, such as time or money, I would spend some of them to protect the natural environment. 2	If I had enough resources, such as time or money, I would spend some of them to protect the natural environment. 3	If I had enough resources, such as time or money, I would spend some of them to protect the natural environment. 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	If I had enough resources, such as time or money, I would spend some of them to protect the natural environment. 5	If I had enough resources, such as time or money, I would spend some of them to protect the natural environment. 6	If I had enough resources, such as time or money, I would spend some of them to protect the natural environment. 7 - Completely true of me
When I am upset or stressed, I can feel better by spending some time outdoors surrounded by nature	When I am upset or stressed, I can feel better by spending some time outdoors surrounded by nature 1 - Not at all true of me	When I am upset or stressed, I can feel better by spending some time outdoors surrounded by nature 2	When I am upset or stressed, I can feel better by spending some time outdoors surrounded by nature 3	When I am upset or stressed, I can feel better by spending some time outdoors surrounded by nature 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	When I am upset or stressed, I can feel better by spending some time outdoors surrounded by nature 5	When I am upset or stressed, I can feel better by spending some time outdoors surrounded by nature 6	When I am upset or stressed, I can feel better by spending some time outdoors surrounded by nature 7 - Completely true of me
I feel that I have a lot in common with wild animals.	I feel that I have a lot in common with wild animals. 1 - Not at all true of me	I feel that I have a lot in common with wild animals. 2	I feel that I have a lot in common with wild animals. 3	I feel that I have a lot in common with wild animals. 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	I feel that I have a lot in common with wild animals. 5	I feel that I have a lot in common with wild animals. 6	I feel that I have a lot in common with wild animals. 7 - Completely true of me
Behaving responsibly toward nature—living a sustainable/environmentally friendly lifestyle—is important to who I am	Behaving responsibly toward nature—living a sustainable/environmentally friendly lifestyle—is important to who I am 1 - Not at all true of me	Behaving responsibly toward nature—living a sustainable/environmentally friendly lifestyle—is important to who I am 2	Behaving responsibly toward nature—living a sustainable/environmentally friendly lifestyle—is important to who I am 3	Behaving responsibly toward nature—living a sustainable/environmentally friendly lifestyle—is important to who I am 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	Behaving responsibly toward nature—living a sustainable/environmentally friendly lifestyle—is important to who I am 5	Behaving responsibly toward nature—living a sustainable/environmentally friendly lifestyle—is important to who I am 6	Behaving responsibly toward nature—living a sustainable/environmentally friendly lifestyle—is important to who I am 7 - Completely true of me
Learning about the natural world should be part of everyone’s upbringing.	Learning about the natural world should be part of everyone’s upbringing. 1 - Not at all true of me	Learning about the natural world should be part of everyone’s upbringing. 2	Learning about the natural world should be part of everyone’s upbringing. 3	Learning about the natural world should be part of everyone’s upbringing. 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	Learning about the natural world should be part of everyone’s upbringing. 5	Learning about the natural world should be part of everyone’s upbringing. 6	Learning about the natural world should be part of everyone’s upbringing. 7 - Completely true of me
If I could choose, I would prefer to live where I can have a view of the natural environment, such as trees or fields	If I could choose, I would prefer to live where I can have a view of the natural environment, such as trees or fields 1 - Not at all true of me	If I could choose, I would prefer to live where I can have a view of the natural environment, such as trees or fields 2	If I could choose, I would prefer to live where I can have a view of the natural environment, such as trees or fields 3	If I could choose, I would prefer to live where I can have a view of the natural environment, such as trees or fields 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	If I could choose, I would prefer to live where I can have a view of the natural environment, such as trees or fields 5	If I could choose, I would prefer to live where I can have a view of the natural environment, such as trees or fields 6	If I could choose, I would prefer to live where I can have a view of the natural environment, such as trees or fields 7 - Completely true of me
An important part of my life would be missing if I was not able to get outside and enjoy nature from time to time	An important part of my life would be missing if I was not able to get outside and enjoy nature from time to time 1 - Not at all true of me	An important part of my life would be missing if I was not able to get outside and enjoy nature from time to time 2	An important part of my life would be missing if I was not able to get outside and enjoy nature from time to time 3	An important part of my life would be missing if I was not able to get outside and enjoy nature from time to time 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	An important part of my life would be missing if I was not able to get outside and enjoy nature from time to time 5	An important part of my life would be missing if I was not able to get outside and enjoy nature from time to time 6	An important part of my life would be missing if I was not able to get outside and enjoy nature from time to time 7 - Completely true of me
I think elements of the natural world are more beautiful than any work of art	I think elements of the natural world are more beautiful than any work of art 1 - Not at all true of me	I think elements of the natural world are more beautiful than any work of art 2	I think elements of the natural world are more beautiful than any work of art 3	I think elements of the natural world are more beautiful than any work of art 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	I think elements of the natural world are more beautiful than any work of art 5	I think elements of the natural world are more beautiful than any work of art 6	I think elements of the natural world are more beautiful than any work of art 7 - Completely true of me
I feel refreshed when I spend time in nature.	I feel refreshed when I spend time in nature. 1 - Not at all true of me	I feel refreshed when I spend time in nature. 2	I feel refreshed when I spend time in nature. 3	I feel refreshed when I spend time in nature. 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	I feel refreshed when I spend time in nature. 5	I feel refreshed when I spend time in nature. 6	I feel refreshed when I spend time in nature. 7 - Completely true of me
I consider myself a steward of our natural resources	I consider myself a steward of our natural resources 1 - Not at all true of me	I consider myself a steward of our natural resources 2	I consider myself a steward of our natural resources 3	I consider myself a steward of our natural resources 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	I consider myself a steward of our natural resources 5	I consider myself a steward of our natural resources 6	I consider myself a steward of our natural resources 7 - Completely true of me
I feel comfortable out in nature	I feel comfortable out in nature 1 - Not at all true of me	I feel comfortable out in nature 2	I feel comfortable out in nature 3	I feel comfortable out in nature 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	I feel comfortable out in nature 5	I feel comfortable out in nature 6	I feel comfortable out in nature 7 - Completely true of me
I enjoy encountering elements of nature, like trees or grass, even when I am in a city setting	I enjoy encountering elements of nature, like trees or grass, even when I am in a city setting 1 - Not at all true of me	I enjoy encountering elements of nature, like trees or grass, even when I am in a city setting 2	I enjoy encountering elements of nature, like trees or grass, even when I am in a city setting 3	I enjoy encountering elements of nature, like trees or grass, even when I am in a city setting 4 - Neither true nor untrue of me	I enjoy encountering elements of nature, like trees or grass, even when I am in a city setting 5	I enjoy encountering elements of nature, like trees or grass, even when I am in a city setting 6	I enjoy encountering elements of nature, like trees or grass, even when I am in a city setting 7 - Completely true of me

Question Title

* 5. What barriers do you face to connecting to/spending time in nature?

I don't have time - I am too busy at home

I don't have time - I am too busy with work/family commitments

There are no nice green spaces close enough to me

I feel I have better things to do / I do not feel it is important for me

I feel afraid of going to nature by myself / I have no one to come with me

Poor mental health or wellbeing

Poor physical health or illness

I feel lonely/isolated when I am in nature

I am worried about being uncomfortable e.g wet or cold

I am reluctant to try new things

I fear/worry about crime and anti-social behaviour and am afraid of who I might come across

I feel uncomfortable with the lack of diversity in these spaces

Lack of facilities and access points for those with disabilities

I worry about getting hurt or injured

Accessing nature costs too much

I don't know what to do / find it boring / am not interested

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 6. What would help you spend more time in nature?

Having weekly dedicated time to spend in nature

More green spaces in my area

Interesting activities to engage with in nature

A companion / community of people to go with so that I am not alone

Improved mental health support/ wellbeing services

Better transport systems that connect green spaces

Appropriate clothing and footwear

Positive experiences of being in nature

Slow and gentle introductions to nature

Knowing that I am safe and supported

Improved facilities and access points

Free events and activities that I can attend

Peer support groups

Focussed and engaging learning so that I don't lose interest

Being with other people, a sense of community and togetherness

I am not interested in spending more time in nature

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. Use the scale to indicate how you generally feel about each one. Be as honest as you can. There are no right or wrong answers

(Connectedness to Nature Scale developed by F. Stephan Mayer and Cynthia M. Frantz to measure an individual’s emotional and experiential response to nature (Mayer & Frantz, 2004))

	Strongly disagree	Somewhat disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Somewhat agree	Strongly agree
I often feel a sense of oneness with the natural world around me	I often feel a sense of oneness with the natural world around me Strongly disagree	I often feel a sense of oneness with the natural world around me Somewhat disagree	I often feel a sense of oneness with the natural world around me Neither agree nor disagree	I often feel a sense of oneness with the natural world around me Somewhat agree	I often feel a sense of oneness with the natural world around me Strongly agree
I think of the natural world as a community to which I belong	I think of the natural world as a community to which I belong Strongly disagree	I think of the natural world as a community to which I belong Somewhat disagree	I think of the natural world as a community to which I belong Neither agree nor disagree	I think of the natural world as a community to which I belong Somewhat agree	I think of the natural world as a community to which I belong Strongly agree
I recognise and appreciate the intelligence of other living organisms	I recognise and appreciate the intelligence of other living organisms Strongly disagree	I recognise and appreciate the intelligence of other living organisms Somewhat disagree	I recognise and appreciate the intelligence of other living organisms Neither agree nor disagree	I recognise and appreciate the intelligence of other living organisms Somewhat agree	I recognise and appreciate the intelligence of other living organisms Strongly agree
I often feel disconnected from nature.	I often feel disconnected from nature. Strongly disagree	I often feel disconnected from nature. Somewhat disagree	I often feel disconnected from nature. Neither agree nor disagree	I often feel disconnected from nature. Somewhat agree	I often feel disconnected from nature. Strongly agree
When I think of my life, I imagine myself to be part of a larger cyclical process of living	When I think of my life, I imagine myself to be part of a larger cyclical process of living Strongly disagree	When I think of my life, I imagine myself to be part of a larger cyclical process of living Somewhat disagree	When I think of my life, I imagine myself to be part of a larger cyclical process of living Neither agree nor disagree	When I think of my life, I imagine myself to be part of a larger cyclical process of living Somewhat agree	When I think of my life, I imagine myself to be part of a larger cyclical process of living Strongly agree
I often feel a kinship with animals and plants	I often feel a kinship with animals and plants Strongly disagree	I often feel a kinship with animals and plants Somewhat disagree	I often feel a kinship with animals and plants Neither agree nor disagree	I often feel a kinship with animals and plants Somewhat agree	I often feel a kinship with animals and plants Strongly agree
I feel as though I belong to the Earth as equally as it belongs to me	I feel as though I belong to the Earth as equally as it belongs to me Strongly disagree	I feel as though I belong to the Earth as equally as it belongs to me Somewhat disagree	I feel as though I belong to the Earth as equally as it belongs to me Neither agree nor disagree	I feel as though I belong to the Earth as equally as it belongs to me Somewhat agree	I feel as though I belong to the Earth as equally as it belongs to me Strongly agree
I have a deep understanding of how my actions affect the natural world	I have a deep understanding of how my actions affect the natural world Strongly disagree	I have a deep understanding of how my actions affect the natural world Somewhat disagree	I have a deep understanding of how my actions affect the natural world Neither agree nor disagree	I have a deep understanding of how my actions affect the natural world Somewhat agree	I have a deep understanding of how my actions affect the natural world Strongly agree
I often feel part of the web of life	I often feel part of the web of life Strongly disagree	I often feel part of the web of life Somewhat disagree	I often feel part of the web of life Neither agree nor disagree	I often feel part of the web of life Somewhat agree	I often feel part of the web of life Strongly agree
I feel that all inhabitants of Earth, human, and nonhuman, share a common “life force.”	I feel that all inhabitants of Earth, human, and nonhuman, share a common “life force.” Strongly disagree	I feel that all inhabitants of Earth, human, and nonhuman, share a common “life force.” Somewhat disagree	I feel that all inhabitants of Earth, human, and nonhuman, share a common “life force.” Neither agree nor disagree	I feel that all inhabitants of Earth, human, and nonhuman, share a common “life force.” Somewhat agree	I feel that all inhabitants of Earth, human, and nonhuman, share a common “life force.” Strongly agree
Like a tree can be part of a forest, I feel embedded within the broader natural world.	Like a tree can be part of a forest, I feel embedded within the broader natural world. Strongly disagree	Like a tree can be part of a forest, I feel embedded within the broader natural world. Somewhat disagree	Like a tree can be part of a forest, I feel embedded within the broader natural world. Neither agree nor disagree	Like a tree can be part of a forest, I feel embedded within the broader natural world. Somewhat agree	Like a tree can be part of a forest, I feel embedded within the broader natural world. Strongly agree
When I think of my place on Earth, I consider myself to be a top member of a hierarchy that exists in nature	When I think of my place on Earth, I consider myself to be a top member of a hierarchy that exists in nature Strongly disagree	When I think of my place on Earth, I consider myself to be a top member of a hierarchy that exists in nature Somewhat disagree	When I think of my place on Earth, I consider myself to be a top member of a hierarchy that exists in nature Neither agree nor disagree	When I think of my place on Earth, I consider myself to be a top member of a hierarchy that exists in nature Somewhat agree	When I think of my place on Earth, I consider myself to be a top member of a hierarchy that exists in nature Strongly agree
I often feel like I am only a small part of the natural world around me, and that I am no more important than the grass on the ground or the birds in the trees	I often feel like I am only a small part of the natural world around me, and that I am no more important than the grass on the ground or the birds in the trees Strongly disagree	I often feel like I am only a small part of the natural world around me, and that I am no more important than the grass on the ground or the birds in the trees Somewhat disagree	I often feel like I am only a small part of the natural world around me, and that I am no more important than the grass on the ground or the birds in the trees Neither agree nor disagree	I often feel like I am only a small part of the natural world around me, and that I am no more important than the grass on the ground or the birds in the trees Somewhat agree	I often feel like I am only a small part of the natural world around me, and that I am no more important than the grass on the ground or the birds in the trees Strongly agree
My personal welfare is independent of the welfare of the natural world.	My personal welfare is independent of the welfare of the natural world. Strongly disagree	My personal welfare is independent of the welfare of the natural world. Somewhat disagree	My personal welfare is independent of the welfare of the natural world. Neither agree nor disagree	My personal welfare is independent of the welfare of the natural world. Somewhat agree	My personal welfare is independent of the welfare of the natural world. Strongly agree

Question Title

* 8. Which area do you live in?

North Somerset (Weston-super-mare, Langford, Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead)

Bristol South (Bedminster, Bishopsworth, Filwood, Hartcliffe, Hengrove, Knowle, Southville, Whitchurch Park, and Windmill Hill)

Bristol East (Fishponds, St Annes, Brislington, Eastville, Easton, Lawrence Hill)

Bristol West (Ashley, Bishopston, Cabot, Clifton, Cotham, Redland)

Bristol North West (Avonmouth, Henbury, Henleaze, Horfield, Kingsweston, Lockleaze, Southmead, Stoke Bishop, and Westbury-on-Trym)

South Gloucestershire (Longwell Green, Emersons Green, Warmley, Wick, Pucklechurch, Yate)

South Gloucestershire (Severn Beach, Patchway, Almondsbury, Frampton Cotterell, Thornbury, Wickwar)

Gloucestershire (Dursley, Nailsworth, Stroud, Cirencester, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Fairford, Tewkesbury)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. Which race/ethnicity best describes you? (Please choose only one.)

White/White British

Black/Black British

Asian/Asian British

Mixed race

Rather not say

Another race or ethnicity (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. Which activities would you most like to participate in/ feel would be most helpful if they were available locally in your community?

Mental health discussion groups - learning tools for resilience

Mindfulness - time to be still and notice your environment

Wildlife walks / plant and animal identification

Working to improve local green spaces e.g litter picking, making them more attractive, seating etc

Peer support groups

Community networking e.g social activities that give the opportunity to connect

Wildlife conservation e.g making bug homes, tree planting, planting flowers for pollinators

Gardening / growing food

Learning about nature - understanding ecology and interactions in nature

Art - drawing, painting, collage, collaborative art, nature art

Bushcraft skills - firelighting, shelter building etc

Exercise - doing something physical with others

Crafts - willow craft, weaving, cordage making, whittling, woodworking

Social skills - understanding each others emotions, how to communicate effectively

Wellbeing education - self-esteem, confidence building, stress reduction