NatureWatch: Exploring the Benefits of Nature to Wellbeing using Technology

Accessibility to open green space has become a prominent conversation during recent COVID-19 lockdown, as people have found themselves reengaging with nature. Despite this, access has been disrupted for many communities who may be cocooning due to age and/or vulnerability or live in urban areas devoid of open spaces. Subsequently, people are engaging with the concept of nature and the consequent health benefits (both physical and mental) in a manner that has largely been absent for several years. The opportunity to educate these individuals who do not typically engage with nature, or the associated science and technology used to understand and monitor it, is therefore unprecedented. Here we propose NaureWatch, a new citizen science project aimed at engaging older populations with the science of phenology (i.e. the seasonal life cycle events of animals and plants) through technological engagement. This project has four main goals: 1) Develop participatory workshops through Cork Healthy Cities to identify participants’ personal relationships with nature and wellbeing to co-create and deliver a targeted and beneficial experience. 2) Train participants in the use of low-cost emerging technologies to record phenological events. 3) Educate participants in the scientific methods required to analyse and understand the impact of climate change on nature. 4) Investigate the link between nature and wellbeing within the community, focusing particularly on the mental health benefits of green spaces.