Giving back to nature

Modern life seems to dictate that we should aspire to having more and more stuff. We are using up the earth’s resources at a far faster pace than is sustainable. The planet is showing its stress of this through the climate change and the biodiversity emergencies. Given everything we need to survive and everything else we have ultimately comes from the planet, it is good to give something back to nature by taking some positive action through volunteering.

Giving your time to something that you believe in is not only rewarding but it has also been shown to be great for our wellbeing. It seems a bit counter intuitive in our modern society but by actually giving a little, we receive so much more. In a society where time is money and nobody admits to having enough time, to actually give of our time freely to a good cause is super powerful.

In my experience volunteering for environmental projects is even more beneficial for our wellbeing where it is practical outdoor work as we are also getting the positive benefits of being outside in nature. In addition, volunteering often involves working with others, so you will also be getting the positive benefits of social interactions too. All of this is in addition to that warm, fuzzy feeling we get when we know we are doing something positive for the greater good. Working as a team to make a positive difference is so enriching.

The wellbeing benefits of volunteering can help enhance mental health, reduce anxiety, stress and depression. The physical activity can support our general health and the social contact can reduce loneliness and social isolation. The environment benefits - and so do we. It’s a win-win situation!

Organised outdoor environmental volunteering opportunities are generally plentiful in urban areas. Many larger parks in the UK have ‘Friends of’ groups that do voluntary work within the park, or there may be community growing spaces and gardens locally. A good place to start looking for opportunities is on local community forums or volunteering networks for your country or local area. Another place to look is on charity websites.

It is however important to try to find the right opportunity for you. You will need to consider the type of work you would like to get involved with. Practical conservation activities you could consider include tree planting, litter picking, path maintenance, constructing and installing of nesting boxes, and wildlife surveys. The best approach is to go with what you fancy and give it a go. You could maybe try out a few different options before committing to something. Once you have found a volunteering opportunity that suits you, you will need to consider the time commitment that you can make. What could you realistically commit to - weekly, monthly, or an ad hoc arrangement?

Once you have done a volunteering session gauge how you found it. Notice how it makes you feel and whether you are finding it worthwhile and rewarding. I wish you luck with your volunteering adventures. Whilst I hope you find it rewarding and beneficial for your wellbeing, above all please remember, the planet thanks you!

'To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash.' – Bill Nye

'Our planet’s alarm is going off, and it is time to wake up and take action!'

– Leonardo DiCaprio