New Research Reveals Young People's Relationships and Attitudes to Nature

Date: 20th February 2017
Category: Recreation, play and cultural activities

A new survey of young people in Scotland found nearly three quarters (74%) enjoy spending time in nature and that one in nine (87%) agree we need to protect the natural environment.

The survey by Scotland's national youth biodiversity panel ReRoute suggests that there is a relationship between the amount of time a young person spends outdoors and their attitudes towards enjoying and protecting the natural environment. Nearly one in five (18%) of respondents had signed an environmental petition or participated in a campaign in the last 12 months. Around half of those who hadn't said they would be interested in doing so in the future.

The survey suggests that young people in Scotland generally appreciate the benefits they get from nature - such as health, wellbeing and relaxation. Young Scots say they would be encouraged to engage with nature if it involved sport and exercise, events they can do with their friends or activities involving animals and wildlife.

ReRoute surveyed 1,103 young people aged 11 to 25 from all local council areas in Scotland. The research was conducted in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Young Scot to develop ideas for engaging young people in Scotland's biodiversity. In 2018, Scotland's Year of Young People, ReRoute will make recommendations to SNH on how to increase young people's engagement.

• Download the report and read more here.