Are you passionate about looking after your land? How do you feel about the landscape around you, wildlife and nature? We want to hear your views!
The CCRI is working with ICF Consulting on an exciting new research project concerning ‘Nature Connectedness’.
If you experience a strong feeling of being emotionally and mentally linked to the natural world and are aware of, appreciate and engage with nature, this is Nature Connectedness.
Natural England is set to launch a large-scale research survey on Nature Connectedness, and you may receive a link via email to participate in a survey. By completing this survey, you can help improve understanding of how future Agri-Environment Schemes (AES) can better support your farm business goals, landscapes and wildlife more broadly.
To show our appreciation, every completed response will result in a £2 donation to a farming wellbeing charity on your behalf (up to a total value of £1,000).
Natural England has launched a large-scale research survey on Nature Connectedness, and you may receive a link via email to participate in a survey. To show our appreciation, every completed response will result in a £2 donation to a farming wellbeing charity on your behalf (up to a total value of £1,000). By participating, you are not only contributing to important research but also supporting a cause that benefits us all.
Natural England want to understand the relationship farmers have with their land and nature and the influence this relationship may have on agri-environment scheme decision making, uptake and delivery in England.
This is the second part of a two-phase research project. The first phase, completed in 2022, worked with a small group of agri-environment scheme holders and Natural England advisers to co-design and test ways of understanding the relationship farmers have with nature and their local environment. In this next phase of the project, we will be expanding the research to include a larger and more diverse group of farmers. This will help us gather insights that represent a broader range of farming experiences.
Some initial findings from the first phase found that:
- The agreement holders had a complex relationship with nature, having both positive and negative interactions.
- In some instances, agreement holders with a strong sense of nature connectedness were more likely to participate in environmentally positive practises.
- Agreement holders spoke of many instances of deep satisfaction from agri-environmental work.
- However, some also mentioned challenges like poor wellbeing and financial insecurity which can affect their ability to focus on environmental goals.
The larger survey that we are now conducting will ensure a greater representation of agreement holders’ views. You may receive a link to take part in the survey and your input will be vital in shaping this important research. This information will enable Natural England and Defra to better design schemes that are more effective and beneficial to everyone involved.
We hope that you will take the opportunity to share your experiences. If you would like to receive a link to the survey or have questions, please email the project manager, Natalie, at natureandplacesurvey@icf.com.
