"The need for escape is more urgent and the call of wild places more insistent than ever"

"In the crazy world of today, when the human race seems so little able to control its destiny, when crises and depressions follow each other in mad succession, the need for escape is more urgent and the call of wild places more insistent than ever."

These words were written by Sir Peter Scott (14th September 1909 to 29th August 1989) in his book "Wild Chorus" which was written in 1938.

Sir Peter Scott was a well-known and highly respected British ornithologist, conservationist, painter, naval officer, broadcaster and Olympic sportsman.

He established the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire in 1946 and helped found the World Wide Fund for Nature in 1961, the Panda logo of which he designed. I am a long-standing supporter and member of both.

The words in Sir Peter Scott's book, whilst written in 1938, resonate more than ever years later, not least during the immense tragedy of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the publication of Sir Peter Scott's book, a considerable amount of research has been undertaken on the physical and mental health benefits of spending time in both "blue spaces" and "green spaces". In fact there is growing evidence that spending time in and around "blue spaces" (by the sea and around lakes, ponds, rivers, canals, marshlands and other wetland areas) has even higher benefits than "green spaces". 

More information on wetlands and well-being can be found here.

💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature