By taking notice, you can conserve our world. MyNI invite you to get involved with actions that will benefit your physical and mental health, local habitats and species and, ultimately, the planet. You can sign up to MyNI’s Change for Nature Pledge here: www.myni.life/get-involved/change-for-nature-pledge/

What is your relationship with nature and how does it compare with your neighbour? Do you think your actions affect the environment, is nature an important part of who you are, or maybe you believe that nothing we do makes a difference to the environment? Those are some of the questions posed in the brand new Environment Engagement Index (EEI), an annual government-backed survey of people’s engagement with and connection to nature.

Research has shown that if people are engaged with nature they are more likely to look after it, and whilst we’ve all appreciated nature in lockdown, this survey poses questions that will hopefully help take our relationship with nature to a whole new level. Not only that, you can find out what the survey shows on a NI-wide basis.

Take the EEI survey here: Environmental Engagement Survey - Environmental Engagement Index - Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (liveherelovehere.app)

Whatever you do, however you do it, connecting with nature will positively affect your wellbeing.

Spending quality time with nature can balance your mood and help you feel more positive. The important thing is to switch on your senses and really connect – whether that’s noticing the wildlife living in your local country park or just listening to the birds in the local forest, connecting with nature is good for your mind.