A brand new app backed by conservationists and environmentalists goals to reconnect individuals with nature by mapping the UK’s wild areas — from metropolis parks to distant coastlines
Everyone knows that getting out in nature is sweet for us. Whether or not wandering via a forest,
strolling alongside the coast or watching birds on a lake, time within the nice outside has been proven to
profit each physique and thoughts. Research recommend that contact with nature might help scale back stress and
anxiousness, decrease blood stress and even minimize the chance of coronary heart illness. But regardless of its confirmed energy,
nature usually will get squeezed out of busy fashionable lives.
A brand new, free cell app known as Wildling hopes to vary that, serving to individuals uncover and discover
wild areas on their doorstep or whereas travelling. Created by entrepreneur Ant Rawlins, Wildling
brings collectively the UK’s wild areas and hidden inexperienced spots in a single digital map. The intention is to make nature extra accessible whereas encouraging individuals to really feel a part of their native surroundings. It additionally hopes to handle two of the UK’s greatest challenges: the rising psychological well being disaster and the
pressing have to take care of the pure world.
The app is supported by main conservation teams, together with the RSPB (Royal Society for the
Safety of Birds), the Marine Conservation Society and Forestry England. It is usually backed by
advisors and environmentalists comparable to Dragon’s Den investor Deborah Meaden, financier Ben
Goldsmith and Eden Challenge founder Tim Smit.
“At the present time, when everybody could be glued to their computer systems and telephones, getting out into
nature is so necessary,” says Meaden. “It may be an important reset in your thoughts and physique. However
typically it may be onerous to seek out nature, particularly while you’re in a brand new place, and even to get to
know hidden gems in your doorstep. That’s when Wildling is available in. It sits in your system, so it’s
not simply simple to entry but in addition a reminder, breaking down the boundaries to discovering nature spots, so
you possibly can head out in your lunch break, get pleasure from a leisurely stroll after dinner or discover someplace
lovely for the children to run round throughout a protracted automobile drive.”
Presently that includes greater than 1,500 places throughout the UK, Wildling covers the whole lot from
coastlines and woodlands to nature reserves and concrete escapes. A built-in content material hub provides
sensible recommendation and inspiration, together with suggestions for getting kids outside and making probably the most
of time in nature — with guides like ‘the right way to construct a den’ or ‘the right way to go rock pooling’.
“Getting out into nature is essential to me, so I ensure it’s one thing that I incorporate
into my day by day life,” provides Meaden. “I like to begin daily by going out barefoot into the backyard.
It’s a method to connect with the earth and calm myself earlier than taking over the enterprise of the day. I’m
very fortunate that the place I reside has plenty of locations the place you possibly can go to see bushes and be in nature, so I
get out and go for a stroll after I can. Once I’m in Somerset, I additionally block out time to get pleasure from being
on horseback and the good outside. Once I’m working away from residence, Wildling makes it
simpler for me to seek out these quiet areas to attach with nature, wherever I’m.”
The app additionally features a voluntary donation function, permitting customers to help Wildling’s charitable
companions or join native volunteering alternatives. The objective, says its founder, is not only to
assist individuals get pleasure from nature, however to encourage them to guard it too.
Discover out extra at wildling.app
Important picture: Milos Stankovic
