Abstract
Engaging with nature can benefit the health and wellbeing of older people (Dahlkvist et al., 2016; Finlay et al., 2015; Sugiyama & Thompson, 2007). However, nature engagement has been shown to decline as people age (van Heezik et al., 2020). The overarching aim of this project was to examine if and how nature engagement can be encouraged among older adults to support their wellbeing. This was done by co-developing a nature-based intervention (a citizen science conservation project), tailored to different motivations, needs and abilities of older adults. The project took place in a retirement village for people of limited means in the South East of the UK, housing approximately 500 residents and set in 225 acres of natural gardens and woodland. Figure 1. Images of the village. Left the field and woodland, right statue in the middle of the village. The project worked with older adults and staff at the village to co-develop, deliver and test nature-based interventions that older adults with varying needs and abilities are motivated and able to engage with, that can support their health and wellbeing and are easy to implement. The project examined: 1. what motivates and constraints nature engagement, 2. whether co-developed nature-based interventions increased nature engagement, 3. if and how such interventions can support the health and wellbeing of older people.