Local Places for Nature Evaluation: 2020 to 2025 (final report)

Programme outcomes: attitudes and behaviours

Fieldwork highlighted how involvement in the programme largely reinforced or strengthened existing positive attitudes towards nature.

Participants were largely already engaging with green spaces prior to their involvement in the programme. As a result, there was little change in levels of engagement. However, increases in general eco-friendly behaviours were reported as a result of involvement in LPfN.

Programme outcomes: personal benefits

A range of personal benefits were reported as a result of involvement with the programme. Benefits included improved wellbeing, gaining knowledge or skills, meeting new people and improved physical health.

Programme outcomes: people with limited previous access to nature

Participants in projects aimed at those with limited pre-existing access to nature, highlighted feeling connected to others and reported benefits to their health.

Mechanisms: how and why projects achieved outcomes

The evaluation highlighted the following mechanisms that determined the outcomes identified:

• aligning project aims with motivation to participate was more likely to result in project involvement
• understanding who projects are targeting and tailoring engagement accordingly
• offering groups and organisations flexibility to deliver projects in ways that support local needs
• combining practical activity with learning opportunities to encourage greater responsibility amongst volunteers
• leveraging existing community group knowledge and experience and supporting those delivering projects to build capacity
• ensuring site activity is sustained to maintain outcomes achieved