Tag: nature

Lethal pandemic disease slowing down the extinction of amphibians in tropical climates, study shows

A new, global study led by Queen’s University Belfast reveals that tropical amphibians have evolved resistance to the most lethal wildlife pathogen recorded to date.

Chytridiomycosis is a devastating infectious disease, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, or Bd, commonly associated with the alarming decline of amphibians worldwide.

These accelerating declines overtake the loss of most organisms on Earth, and this fungal pandemic disease, also referred to as a panzootic, is regarded as a predominant driver behind the massive global population declines and extinctions of frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders.

Published in the world-leading journal, Global Change Biology, the research compares previous data to more recent figures to examine the amphibian species infection status in tropical regions as well as in colder climates.

Dr Daniel Pincheira-Donoso from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s, the principal investigator on the project, said: “The idea that this infectious disease has been a dominant cause of the rapid loss of amphibian biodiversity has become a form of paradigm amongst the scientific community to produce volumes of data from thousands of species on a global scale.

“This collective effort created an opportunity for us to gather a comprehensive database spanning the global diversity of amphibian species, including the threatened and non-threatened, and all the thousands of species in which the presence of the disease has been tested.

“We now know that the role of this infectious disease in the extinction of amphibians is not exactly as we thought, with tropical species getting over the panzootic, while these panzootic effects are still ongoing in amphibians from colder climates.”

Dr Pincheira-Donoso adds: “An explanation is that the seasonality of colder climates added to the low density of amphibians in these regions may have acted as ‘natural lockdowns’ and ‘social distance’ effects that have made the impact of the pandemic slower, slowing down the evolution of their resistance.”

Many locations throughout the world have already been successfully invaded by one or more Bd variants, and these findings suggest that the most susceptible species have either already gone extinct or have undergone past declines and developed some form of tolerance to the disease.

This means there is the potential that these amphibian populations may coexist with Bd, and that a once declining species may have stabilised in numbers or even be in recovery.

This research indicates that there are region-specific and time-specific patterns of extinctions, with tropical amphibian species no longer experiencing declines of the same intensity and non-tropical amphibians continuing to decline further.

Luke Goodyear, a PhD Researcher from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s who led the research, commented: “This new research is very exciting as it shows two different ways this disease has affected amphibians.

“We see early signs of possible stabilisation in environments around the equator, which were initially hit very hard by the disease. Although many species are still at risk in these regions, it seems that the peak of devastation might be behind us.

“Then in colder climates, like Europe, we see the opposite. This is the first research to show the increasing impact on these amphibian species at this scale. Hopefully this can speed up conservation action while there is still time to prevent the mass declines we saw in tropical climates.”

The paper can be read in full here.

Count the birds! 

FeatherSnap helps nature lovers get ready to count the birds with the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch: 23rd – 25th January 2026

 FeatherSnap, the solar-powered, Wi-Fi enabled smart bird feeder, is proudly supporting the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch 2026 encouraging households across the UK to join hundreds of thousands of people taking part in the nation’s largest annual survey of garden birds. 

Fun, free and open to everyone, the Big Garden Birdwatch provides a vital snapshot of how our most familiar bird species are faring. Every count helps build a clearer picture of the health of the UK’s bird populations and offers a simple, positive way for people to take action for nature. 

Together, let’s make it count 

Traditionally, birdwatchers have relied on sitting patiently in the garden, counting birds as they flit along fences or dart between feeders. FeatherSnap makes the process easier than ever, even when you’re not there to keep watch. Instead of guessing who popped by while you were out, FeatherSnap captures every visit automatically, making it simple to see exactly which birds are using your garden and how often. 

In the lead-up to the bird count, taking place from 23rd – 25th January, Feathersnap is encouraging nature lovers to get their gardens bird count ready. 

From practical tips on attracting birds into gardens and green spaces, to exclusive savings, FeatherSnap is offering 15% off feeders from 14th –31st January 2026 using the code FSRSPB15. 

The perfect tool for effortless bird counting 

Equipped with motion-activated cameras and AI-powered bird identification, FeatherSnap automatically captures high-resolution photos and videos of every visitor, delivering them straight to the FeatherSnap app.

Users can watch live, receive instant notifications, catalogue species and build a personal digital Bird Book – making it the ideal companion for observing, identifying and counting birds in support of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch. 

Throughout the campaign, FeatherSnap will also be encouraging users to share their favourite sightings across social media using #BigGardenBirdwatch, helping to spread awareness and inspire even more people to take part. 

FeatherSnap’s resident Ornithologist and Research Specialist, Maria Kincaid, said: “The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is a fantastic and hugely important initiative. 

“I’m a huge proponent of citizen science – the more people that get involved, the better the data we can gather. It also helps people feel connected to the scientific process, providing a valuable snapshot of how birds are coping during winter, when they need our support the most, and helping to track population trends over time.” 

“At this time of year, there’s very little blooming in our gardens to support insects. While most birds continue to rely on natural foraging, studies show that garden feeders can provide valuable supplementary support during lean periods – while also giving people an unrivalled close-up view of the wildlife right on their doorstep.” 

Here, Maria shares her top tips for creating a bird friendly garden and getting bird count ready: 

  • Make sure your feeders are filled and maintained. It’s incredibly important to make sure that we’re not only regularly filling our feeders, but cleaning and sanitizing them as well – this helps to prevent the spread of diseases, and make sure that we’re not feeding spoiled food.  
  • Fill your feeders with high calorie/nutritionally dense food – suet is a great option for winter as it’s an easy to digest fat full of calories. Thistle, sunflower seeds, and nut mixes are also great options.  
  • Feeder placement matters too. keeping feeders either within three feet of windows or more than ten to reduce the risk of collisions, hanging them around five feet high for both access and squirrel deterrence, and positioning them near cover, without creating hiding spots for cats.  
  • Providing water is also very important during cold snaps – having open water is a limiting factor in the winter, so providing a bird bath is an excellent choice. If it’s regularly freezing, consider a heated bird bath, or adding a heating element. The goal is to make sure that the water doesn’t freeze, not to have it be spectacularly warm.  
  • Lastly, having a lot of cover available, whether it’s shrubs or a brush pile, makes for great roosting spots for birds, as they can get away from the wind and cold. Creating a brush pile in the corner your garden will also create a great foraging space.

Seabirds more likely to ‘divorce’ in bad weather

New study led by Edinburgh Napier University shows how rough conditions affect faithfulness

Wild seabirds are more likely to split up in windy weather, according to a newly published study led by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU).

The paper, published in the journal Animal Behaviour today (4 November) reveals that environmental conditions before the breeding season appear to have an impact on mate faithfulness – whether birds reunite with the same partner to breed each year, or ‘divorce’ to form a different pair.

Researchers from ENU, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), and Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland (BioSS) analysed data collected over the course of two decades from more than 1,500 birds on the Isle of May National Nature Reserve, in the Firth of Forth, and compared them with late winter weather records to understand their breeding habits.

The study focused on European shags (Gulosus aristotelis), given their long lifespan and tendency to change partners between breeding seasons. While the birds analysed for this study had a fidelity rate of 45%, this varied markedly from year to year.

Although age and previous breeding success have been established as strong predictors of mate faithfulness, this paper demonstrates how weather conditions in the lead up to the breeding season are also a significant factor affecting seabird mating habits. Out of the weather conditions analysed, wind speeds had the strongest effect on whether couples stayed together.

Importantly, birds that remained with the same partner tended to lay eggs earlier, which is strongly tied to how many chicks they rear.

The findings are significant given that climate change is bringing about warmer and windier weather conditions.

Ecologists are now calling for further investigation into how shifting environmental conditions could disrupt social relationships among wildlife.

Lead researcher Dr Sue Lewis, from ENU’s Centre for Conservation and Restoration Science, said: “We found that late winter weather is likely critical for pair bonding.

“It is a time when adults are returning to colonies and preparing to breed. When conditions are tough – particularly when it’s windier – it appears that ‘divorces’ are more frequent.

“Until now, the effects of pre breeding weather conditions on faithfulness have been largely under-appreciated. Our study suggests that it warrants further consideration.”

Co-researcher Professor Francis Daunt, from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, said: “This study is one of the few to test how changing environments influence social behaviours in wildlife.

“It is excellent to see our long-term data used to tackle these important questions, given the current concerns about the impacts of future climate change.”

Concern for seabird colonies despite bird flu breeding recovery

New study examines how the HPAI epidemic affected local seabird colonies

Seabirds that survived recent bird flu outbreaks have continued to reproduce, although overall breeding performance remains notably low, according to a new study.

The paper, led by Edinburgh Napier University’s Dr Sue Lewis, in a collaboration with conservation scientists and staff from the RSPB, the Scottish Seabird Centre and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology has been published by the international avian science journal Ibis.

They studied breeding success in Northern Gannets at the Bass Rock in Scotland and Bempton Cliffs in England during 2023.

Bird flu had a devastating effect on seabirds across Europe and North America between 2021-2023, with gannets, known for their spectacular plunge dives, among the hardest hit. Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) occurred at all but one gannet colony across their North Atlantic range in 2022, causing mass mortalities on an unprecedented scale.

For this study, scientists compared the breeding success of birds with black eyes – a striking side-effect of an HPAI infection – and those with normal, pale blue eyes.

Overall, they found that breeding success of birds with black eyes did not differ from birds with blue, suggesting that gannets who survived HPAI infection were able to raise chicks just as effectively as those that showed no sign of a past infection.

Breeding success across both groups in 2023, however, was still markedly lower than long-term records – with nest failure rates almost doubling.

At the Bass Rock – which was home to the world’s largest colony of the species before the epidemic – pairs fledged an average of just 0.56 chicks, compared to 0.78 in the 1960s. Meanwhile at Bempton Cliffs, success averaged 0.62 chicks per pair, down from a pre-epidemic mean of 0.81 between 2009 and 2021.

A black-eyed gannet with a chick. Picture credit: Amy King

The authors of the paper believe the dip could be down to birds having to form new partnerships after the death of their long-term partner and less experienced breeders making up a larger share of the population, in combination with a density of nests after mass mortality. The summer heatwave of 2023 may also have played a role.

The findings highlight the complex consequences of disease outbreaks in wild populations, showing that even when survivors appear healthy, impacts to the wider ecosystem can persist.

Lead researcher Dr Sue Lewis, from ENU’s Centre for Conservation and Restoration Science, said: “While it is reassuring that gannets that recovered from avian flu are able to breed, the overall reduction in breeding success is a serious concern.

“The results suggest that population recovery may be slower than hoped, even if survivors are still able to breed.

“Survivors are breeding as well as their peers, proving that gannets are remarkably resilient birds. But with bird flu still circulating and climate extremes adding new pressures, continued vigilance is needed to ensure that these majestic plunge diving birds remain part of our coastal environment for generations to come.”

Dr Jude Lane, from RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science said: “HPAI has had a devastating impact on many of our seabird populations, which are already facing increasing threats from development and climate change.

“Long-term monitoring will be key to tracking their recovery and understanding whether HPAI infections have hidden effects on survival or behaviour.

“However, it is essential we also take steps to secure long-term resilience for seabirds, such as protecting feeding grounds and reducing bycatch.”

Gannets diving at the Bass Rock. Picture credit: James Glossop

Emily Burton, Senior Conservation Officer with the Scottish Seabird Centre Conservation Team, said: “Black-eyed gannets are now a common sight on Bass Rock, serving as a reminder of the devastation that was caused by bird flu.

“It’s reassuring that this research has found that these survivors are breeding just as successfully as other gannets.

“However, the slow rate of recovery is deeply concerning, particularly when considered alongside the growing threat to seabirds from climate change and poorly sited offshore windfarms.

“Further action is urgently needed from the Scottish and UK Governments to ensure these special birds are protected, their populations can recover, and their future is secured.”

John Muir Trust’s 2026 Scottish Manifesto: for A Wilder Scotland

The John Muir Trust publishes three key manifesto asks for the upcoming Scottish parliamentary elections

In May 2026, voters in Scotland will head to the polls for the last time before we hit the critical 2030 deadline for nature and climate action. The next cohort of parliamentarians and the Government will have the monumental task of  delivering a nationwide effort to restore nature by 2030.

Wild places are absolutely critical to the success of this national mission. Without proper protection for wild places, nature will not be able to rebound.

With so little time left, the Trust has decided to focus its advocacy efforts on three key asks.

The Trust calls on Scottish political parties to:

  1. Fund a National Deer Management Plan to bring deer numbers down to sustainable levels
  2. Introduce a CELT (Carbon Emissions Land Tax) Bill to encourage large landowners to manage land for nature, climate and communities
  3. Legislate for a new Nature Restoration designation, and review the planning system

Fund a National Deer Management Plan

To reach the Scottish Government’s nature restoration targets, we need a significant reduction in  Scotland’s deer population. For this to happen at scale, it also needs happen at pace. The National Deer Management Plan financially rewards landowners and land workers who are being proactive and enabling nature restoration by carrying out sustainable deer management.

We are asking political parties to commit to:

  • The principle of a National Deer Management Plan
  • Funding that plan by redirecting existing subsidies to total £59 million over the first four years of its  implementation 
  • Increasing the annual deer cull from 180,000 to 250,000

Such actions will help triple Scotland’s total woodland creation target while saving £900 million in taxpayers’ money. They will enable natural regeneration and colonisation at scale – creating an additional 350,000ha of native woodland. And they will put an end to peatland degradation caused by overgrazing and trampling.

This policy is supported by all major landowning environmental charities alongside Scottish Environment LINK, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, the Scottish Rewilding Alliance, Community Land Scotland and the Scottish Tenant Farmers Association. It is being co-developed with the Association of Deer Management Groups as part of a pilot scheme for 2025-26 announced by the Scottish Government in its last Programme for Government. 

Read more about the National Deer Management Plan here.

Introduce a CELT (Carbon Emissions Land Tax) Bill

The Carbon Emissions Land Tax is a great example of a tax that enacts the key principles of Polluters Pay and Just Transition. It is a grown-up, transparent behavioural-change tax that rewards nature and climate conscious landowners and penalises those who are unwilling to manage land in the public interest. 

The tax will help local communities build wealth and resilience in the face of the climate and nature crises. The tax would be implemented on a local authority level, and the proceeds would therefore also go back to the local community. Earmarked for climate and nature initiatives, this revenue would empower local councils to fuel a growing environmental sector, providing livelihoods in rural areas.   

Here, we are asking political parties to commit to:

  • Introducing a CELT Bill by May 2026
  • Ensuring that the CELT Bill follows the principles of behavioural change taxes by creating an escalating system for tax rates over time
  • Ensuring that the CELT Bill applies to all large landowners in Scotland, defined as owning over 1,000ha.

Doing all of the above will result in three essential outcomes. It will remove 6m tonnes of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere annually by 2040. It will enable nature restoration at an unprecedented scale by positively impacting more than 60% of Scotland’s land, owned by the approximately 800 largest landowners. And it puts the Polluter Pays and Just Transition principles into action by disincentivising harmful environmental practices, while ensuring revenue from the tax is reinvested in the communities most affected by polluters. 

Our Carbon Emissions Land Tax proposal is supported by over 50 organisations, community groups, trade unions, churches and businesses representing over a million people in Scotland. It is also backed by a 4-to-1 majority of Scots according to a YouGov poll.

You can find more details about the tax mechanism and answers to common questions here. 

Legislate for a new Nature Restoration designation and review the planning system

In difficult times, we must make choosing nature easier. The Nature Restoration designation does just that by giving communities, private and charitable landowners the choice and autonomy to protect wild places now and into the future.  

This new designation focuses on reducing the threats and pressures to nature and biodiversity, as opposed to current designations which focus on protecting the little that is left, condemning the country to work from a degraded baseline.  

Rather than protecting specific characteristics, the new Nature Restoration designation focuses on combating a variety of threats, from INNS to pollution, helping us empower nature to do what it does best: grow, diversify, thrive. This is a nature designation for the 21st century that allows nimbleness in the face of changes brought on by the climate and nature crises.  

In challenging times, we must make it easier to choose nature. The new Nature Restoration designation empowers communities, private landowners, and charities to protect wild places – now and for generations to come.

Unlike existing designations that focus on preserving what little remains, this forward-looking approach tackles the root causes of biodiversity loss. It shifts us away from a degraded baseline and toward a thriving future.

Rather than protecting isolated features, the Nature Restoration designation addresses a wide range of threats – from invasive species to pollution – giving nature the space and support it needs to grow, diversify, and flourish.

This is a designation built for the 21st century: adaptive, ambitious, and responsive to the twin crises of climate and biodiversity. It’s a bold step toward restoring Scotland’s natural legacy.

In this case, we are asking political parties to commit to:

  • Creating a new statutory designation aimed at setting aside land as areas where natural processes take the lead
  • Ensuring that the new designation protects land from industrial developments
  • Designating 10% of Scotland’s land as nature restoration areas.

Doing this will once again bring three essential outcomes. It will institutionalise the land management concepts that underpin nature restoration. It will protect 
areas of land of low biodiversity value from development long into the future. 

And it will popularise the concept of nature restoration among the wider public, prompting people to see landscapes through a rewilding lens.

As we get closer to election day, the John Muir Trust’s policy team will be busy lobbying behind the scenes to get these commitments on party manifestos. To be successful, we will need strong public support.

Autumn activities planned for West Pilton Park

EDINBURGH & LOTHIAN GREENSPACE TRUST

ELGT is delighted to announce the beginning of an exciting engagement programme within West Pilton Park.

Join us in September & October and learn to build a wildlife habitat round the ‘Wee Forest’-no experience necessary.

If you’re keen to get involved, contact emily@elgt.org.uk.

Calling all wildlife lovers – UK Butterflies need you!

This year, we’re not just launching a survey — we’re launching a nationwide rescue mission, and we need everyone to get involved.

Last summer, Britain’s butterflies sent an urgent SOS through Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count.

The wildlife charity declared a Butterfly Emergency after results revealed a marked and deeply concerning decline in butterfly numbers, which were the lowest in the Count’s history.

The 2024 figures followed a pattern of long-term decline as butterflies struggle against a backdrop of habitat degradation, climate breakdown and pesticide use.

That’s why this year, we’re not just launching a survey — we’re launching a nationwide rescue mission, and we need everyone to get involved.

🧪 No lab coats. No science degrees. Just 15 minutes of your time.

Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count 2025 begins on Friday 18 July, and we’re calling on thousands of everyday heroes, from schoolkids to grandparents, dog walkers, hikers, even office workers on their lunch break, to take part.

Worryingly, 80% of butterflies have declined since the 1970s. These delicate icons of summer respond quickly to environmental change, making their decline a powerful warning sign of a planet in peril.

The good news? There is hope. With just 15 minutes of your time, you can help protect UK butterfly species for future generations.

🕵️ The mission?

Spend 15 minutes in any outdoor space and count the butterflies and day-flying moths you see and submit your sightings to help build our interactive map.

That’s it. One small action that contributes to a much bigger effort to help save butterfly species and the ecosystems they support.

“This is a chance to turn curiosity into conservation and make a real contribution to protecting butterflies in the UK for generations to come,” said Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation. “Butterflies are beautiful, yes — but they’re also incredibly important bioindicators. This means that as they continue to disappear, as they have over recent decades, it indicates something is going seriously wrong in our natural world. We need to heed that warning and take action before it’s too late.

“If we lose butterflies, we lose more than beauty — we lose balance in our ecosystems and that will have serious repercussions for wildlife in the UK. Taking part in the Big Butterfly Count only takes 15 minutes and it’s something everybody can do. If you do one thing for nature this year, get out for the Count this summer! – Every count really does make a difference.”

Whether you see a Red Admiral, a Common Blue, or an entire kaleidoscope of Meadow Browns, your sightings provide vital data that help scientists understand where butterflies are thriving, struggling, or shifting due to habitat loss or restoration.

And by taking part, you’re doing more than logging data — you’re standing up for nature. Your observations will help create a live map of UK biodiversity, visible in real-time through the Big Butterfly Count website and free app.

🌍 Why It Matters

With over 80% of UK butterfly species in decline, every single sighting counts.
Butterflies are early warning signs of environmental collapse — when they struggle, so do birds, bees, and entire ecosystems.

Together, we can reverse the trend by learning where and why butterflies are struggling and taking action to save them.

 What’s the problem?

Butterflies are struggling because their habitat is being destroyed and the climate they thrive in is changing and becoming more unpredictable. 

Populations may also be declining as a result of pesticide use, both commercially and in gardens. Even insecticides and pesticides labelled “pollinator friendly” can harm butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Employing more nature friendly gardening methods, such as companion planting and allowing wild spaces to flourish within our gardens are two of the best ways to help butterflies thrive at home.

✅ How to Take Part

  1. Download the free Big Butterfly Count app or visit www.bigbutterflycount.org
  2. Between 18 July and 10 August, spend 15 minutes in any outdoor space and count the number and type of butterflies you see
  3. Log your sightings on the website or app and help protect UK wildlife for future generations

This summer, step outside, slow down, and reconnect with the natural world on your doorstep.

Become a citizen scientist. Be part of the comeback. Help bring butterflies and wild spaces across the UK back to life.

Scots need to make more time for the great outdoors

Survey data from People’s Postcode Lottery reveals Scottish attitudes to their connection with nature

While the British weather can be a bit of a lottery, this Spring Bank Holiday (May 26, 2025) is a great opportunity to spend much-needed moments reconnecting with parks, woodlands and open spaces. 

This comes after a recent UK survey by People’s Postcode Lottery, where 45% of respondents in Scotland said they do not have enough time to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature.  

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “The survey highlights that more people would like to spend time outside enjoying nature, so I hope this bank holiday provides an opportunity for many to embrace the great outdoors in their local park or woodland. 

“The incredible plant species and wildlife in these areas offer a great way to reconnect with nature and enjoy its benefits.  

“Players of People’s Postcode Lottery raised more than £40 million in 2024 for charities working to protect wildlife and the natural world.” 

The UK-wide survey revealed attitudes, relationships and connections towards nature and the environment. Among these include attitudes towards lifestyle and environmental topics, including sustainability-focused practices.

Information from respondents living in Scottish postcodes found: 

  • 82% said they felt that spending time in nature was important to their overall wellbeing and mental health.
  • 49% said they only feel fairly connected to the environment around them. 
  • 17% spend intentional time outdoors once a month or less. 
  •  82% of respondents said spending time in nature is important to their overall wellbeing and mental health, and 45% said a lack of time was a key part of not being able to spend more time outside.  
  • 17% of people surveyed said they intentionally spend time outdoors in parks, forests or other natural spaces every day, while 35% said they spend time outdoors several times a week.
  • A staggering 17% of people saying they spend intentional time outdoors only once a month or less. 

Empowering people to get out more 

People’s Postcode Lottery supports a huge range of environmental charities, including  Woodland Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and Friends of the Earth. These organisations help protect and preserve nature so everyone can spend more time in green spaces, forests, parks and beaches across their own postcodes and beyond. 

You can get involved too; use this bank holiday to immerse yourself in nature, by taking on some nature trails with your family, organising a beach clean with your friends, or swapping your gym session for a run through your local park.

All of these are great ways to reconnect with the environment and benefit from the abundance of parks and open spaces available in your area. 

Museum of Edinburgh hosts two new summer exhibitions exploring wellbeing and connection to nature

This summer, the Museum of Edinburgh presents two inspiring exhibitions celebrating the powerful relationship between wellbeing, nature, and place, each told through unique creative lenses:

Nature Through Nurture: Wellbeing and the Natural World in Children’s Books

Thu 1 May to Sun 7 Sep 2025

Developed in partnership between the Museum of Childhood and Scotland’s Early Literature for Children Initiative (SELCIE) at the University of Edinburgh, Nature Through Nurture delves into the enduring presence of the natural world in children’s literature over the past 150 years.

Flowers, trees, animals, insects and birds feature heavily in children’s books, set in both the real world and imaginary worlds. Children’s books from the last 150 years will be on display with beautiful illustrations, poetry and information about how to find green spaces throughout Edinburgh.

The positive influences of nature on mental health and wellbeing will be examined alongside a programme of public events for children and families.

Dr Sarah Dunnigan, Senior Lecturer, School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures at the University of Edinburgh and co-founder of SELCIE said: “The partnership between SELCIE and the Museum of Childhood for the Nurture through Nature exhibition beautifully highlights how children’s books can connect young readers to the natural world.

“This collaboration brings together literature, history, and nature in a way that we hope will inspire visitors to explore Edinburgh’s green spaces and reflect on the links between nature and well-being.

“The project has also made accessible many previously uncatalogued books from the Museum of Childhood collection, with several being displayed publicly for the first time. This collection is of great significance, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.

Wellbeing in the City: Feel-Good Places in and Around Edinburgh

Thu 10 Apr to Sun 31 Aug 2025

Created by participants of photography and creative writing courses run by Access to Industry, this exhibition offers personal and heartfelt reflections on the places in Edinburgh that inspire calm, joy, and connection.

Each member of the photography course has chosen a place in and around Edinburgh that makes them feel good. The group visited every place nominated to take photos and have selected their favourites to present in the exhibition.

The creative writing group have produced short pieces of writing about places or activities in Edinburgh that make them feel well.

Helen Murray, Encompass Caseworker from Access to Industry said: “Access to Industry are delighted to have been able to work with Museums and Galleries Edinburgh on the joint project, Wellbeing in the City – feel good places in and around Edinburgh.

“We support clients with complex barriers to employment, many of whom have suffered trauma, isolation and marginalisation. This project has been run with our wellbeing through photography group, PAGE, and our Creative Writing group.

“It has enabled participants to enjoy improved wellbeing on trips they have chosen and reflect on what makes them feel well. We are now extremely pleased to be able to share these places and that sense of wellness with local residents and visitors from far and wide.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “These exhibitions beautifully highlight how nature and place shape our sense of wellbeing from childhood through adulthood.

“By showcasing stories, creativity, and lived experience, this summer the Museum of Edinburgh invites us all to reconnect with the natural world and discover the restorative spaces that exist all around us.”

Admission to both exhibitions is free.

Boost your mental health with springtime nature

MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

Come rain or sunshine, the spring brings lots of wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature – and boost your mental health while doing so. 🍃🌼

1/ Go for a spring walk and tap into your senses – what do you see, hear, smell, and touch?

2/ Tend to your garden or houseplants, are you seeing any start to blossom?

3/ Get in touch with your creative side and draw, paint or collage spring’s nature.

4/ Animal lover? Walk in the countryside or visit a city farm and spot the new arrivals!

5/ Feeling adventurous? Go on a spring scavenger hunt and discover nature (find resources at Woodland Trust).

What are spring activities you enjoy, that bring you closer to nature?

#Spring

#MentalHealth

#Nature