Connect with nature

Meet the RSPB

The RSPB is the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We also play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.

The RSPB was formed to counter the barbarous trade in plumes for women's hats, a fashion responsible for the destruction of many thousands of egrets, birds of paradise and other species whose plumes had become fashionable in the late Victorian era.

The organisation started life as the Society for the Protection of Birds (SPB), founded by Emily Williamson at her home in Manchester in 1889. In its earliest days, the Society consisted entirely of women and membership cost two pence. The Society was so successful it was granted its Royal Charter in 1904 and became The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

For over 100 years the RSPB has been rallying people together to save nature. While we’ve got birds in our title, and birds are our focus, we work to save all nature. Because all nature is connected. For birds to thrive, the whole ecosystem must thrive.

Right now, nature faces its biggest ever challenge. Exploitation, pollution and destruction of our natural world are being intensified by a planet in climate crisis. It’s affecting all life, birds, wildlife and humans alike. But together we can save it.

Nurture nature for you and for wildlife

Saving nature isn’t just about birds and wildlife, it benefits us in so many ways too. For example, there’s growing evidence that being in nature positively affects our health and wellbeing. In 2017 a number of GP practices in Shetland started to prescribe nature to patients as part of their treatment through an innovative pilot project called Nature Prescriptions, a partnership between RSPB Scotland and NHS Shetland.

Spurred on by the success of the Shetland project, we launched an Edinburgh pilot early last year, in collaboration with NHS Lothian’s charity partner, the Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation and five GP practices, to test the model in an urban environment. Our hope is that by learning from our experiences so far we can expand nature prescriptions further and extend the benefits of nature to those who need them most.

Elaine Bradley, RSPB Scotland’s Project Development Executive for Nature Prescriptions :

“There is growing evidence that connecting with nature provides a range of health benefits including improved cardiovascular health, enhanced immune function, reduced stress, anxiety and fatigue, improved concentration and increases in life satisfaction and happiness.

While spending time in natural environments and exercising outdoors can, in itself, be good for our wellbeing, Nature Prescriptions involves more than simply being outdoors. It’s also about connecting with nature in ways that are personal, emotional and meaningful.

By actively noticing and engaging with nature, we can cultivate a sense of curiosity, joy and appreciation that is positive for our wellbeing and for the conservation of the natural world. As nature restores and nurtures us, we deepen our concern and care for nature, and it is this reciprocal relationship that is at the heart of Nature Prescriptions.”

If you want to learn more about the project, please read our RSPB Blog or watch this video.

Connect with nature on your doorstep

For many of us, our gardens, balconies and local greenspaces are the places where we first have the chance to enjoy and get to know the wildlife that shares our lives. These are also the places that let us connect with nature and where many have found peace and solace in the turmoil of the global pandemic.

Through a new project called ‘Nature on your Doorstep', we’re now helping everyone create wonderful outdoor spaces, perfect for people and wildlife. At rspb.org.uk/natureonyourdoorstep you’ll find simple hacks, easy steps and top tips to make your garden, balcony or window box blooming lovely, no matter your gardening experience or the size of your space.

From choosing the best plants to grow to just adding some water to your outdoor space and many other fantastic ideas in between, we’ll help you turn your patch into paradise. You’ll also be able to join a dedicated wildlife gardening community online to connect and share experiences and ideas with others.

So this Mental Health Awareness Week why not treat yourself and your local wildlife to an outdoor space that nurtures and blossoms. Simply visit rspb.org.uk/natureonyourdoorstep where you can sign up to receive wildlife-friendly gardening advice direct to your Inbox.