Natural England

“Walking – either alone or with a loved one – at this time of year is good for your health. And walking in local parks and other greenspaces has a low carbon footprint too. It’s the greenest form of exercise.”

This is the message that Natural England’s Health Advisor Dr William Bird will give to a conference on 13 February at the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton. The ‘Greenspace South West Well Being Conference’ will bring together planners, health professionals and environmentalists to promote the health benefits of parks and green spaces, especially to children and young people, and encourage walking.

“Green lungs in towns and cities are crucial to our well being, our stress levels fall within minutes of contact with nature and this is good for body and mind.” said Dr William Bird. He added, “It’s been shown that our parks and greenspaces in towns are the best motivator to keep people walking and active. It’s also the easiest form of exercise to make part of your daily routine and the significant effect it can have on reducing or coping with stress really can make a difference to peoples’ lives.”

Richard Keating, Manager of GreenSpace South West, said: “Green spaces provide communities with many health benefits such as fresh air, exercise and contact with nature. The government is asking us to find ways of tackling problems like obesity and depression, and experts recognise the value of outdoor exercise in tackling these issues. But do we have the infrastructure and resources to deliver these benefits?”

“There is already much good practice in the region and this seminar will see health and green space professionals learn from each other and start to work together on a common agenda: to maximise the health benefits of green space to people living in the south west”.

The seminar will include scene setting by policy makers, detailed information about the health benefits of green space, case studies to show the good work already happening and workshops to plan a joint Love Parks Week project.

Ends

Notes to Editors:
For more information please contact Dot Isgrove at Natural England on 07880 784757

Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. For more information about Natural England go to our website at www.naturalengland.org.uk

For full programme information about the GreenSpace South West Wellbeing Event or to book your place, please email judel@green-space.org.uk or call Jude Luckett on 0118 946 9063. To arrange a press pass, please contact Becky Volker, on 0118 946 9068 or email beckyv@green-space.org.uk.

Natural England has been working closely with GreenSpace South West and will jointly run the first ever seminar for health care and green space professionals across the South West on Wednesday 13 February 2008 at the Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre, Taunton.

GreenSpace is a registered charity which works to improve parks and green spaces by raising awareness, involving communities and creating skilled professionals. For more information please go to www.green-space.org.uk

GreenSpace South West provides a united voice dedicated to promoting and lobbying for quality green spaces throughout the south west. 27 of the 52 local authorities in the south west are members of GreenSpace South West. For more information about GreenSpace South West please call Richard Keating, Manager, on 01453 756 064 or email greenspacesw@gmail.com

Love Parks Week 2008 will take place between 14 and 22 June, and will raise awareness of the role of parks in helping to tackle childhood obesity by providing a free and fun place for children to exercise. Kids’ walks will take place in parks all over the country during the week. For more information go to www.loveparks.org.uk