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How conservation volunteering supports physical wellbeing

Conservation volunteering is associated with positive impacts on mental wellbeing and health, but it can also support physical wellbeing.

When we spend time outdoors helping to protect and restore nature by taking part in conservation volunteering work, we’re also getting active and keeping our bodies fit.

Many of the volunteering events and activities that we organise involve walking along wetlands, beaches, or in forests to clean up litter, planting seedlings, installing nest boxes, and more.

While it’s fun and rewarding to volunteer, there are also many benefits for both physical and mental health and the health of the planet. Below we explore more about the physical benefits of conservation volunteering and how to get involved in volunteering activities and events in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Tasmania, and other cities across Australia.

The physical benefits of conservation volunteering

There are so many benefits of volunteering for nature, that it’s no wonder it’s becoming increasingly popular across Australia.

It’s been shown to have positive effects on mental wellbeing, provides opportunities for placemaking, helps create a sense of community and belonging, can reduce feelings of loneliness, and helps build ecosystem and climate resilience.

In addition, there’s increasing recognition of how conservation volunteering can also be good for physical wellbeing. That’s because conservation volunteering involves physical exercise, which is known to have positive impacts on health.

The Bupa Pulse Check 2024 report finds that in Australia, physical fitness is one one of the key drivers of overall health and wellbeing, along with mental health and nutrition. In addition, people who spend time outdoors or in nature are more likely to have excellent or good overall quality of life.

And, according to the WHO, regular physical activity can help to improve your brain health and can also help you maintain a healthy weight. In addition, it can reduce your risk of developing certain diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some cancers – and can strengthen your bones. In addition, exercise is also linked to supporting your immune system.

CVA’s Our Nature Blocks report presents findings on the experience of individuals who have engaged with Nature Blocks. To date, 97% of surveyed participants say they experienced improvements in their health and wellbeing.

Phil Harrison, Conservation Volunteer Australia’s CEO, said, “Connecting with nature is a journey that can provide better mental and physical health for individuals and a more sustainable future for our planet. Every plant counts and every step counts.”

With CVA, there are a wide range of volunteer opportunities, such as beach cleanups, wetland restoration, and planting small spaces for nature at home or at work with our Nature Blocks™ initiative. Below we explore how creating Nature Blocks can provide an opportunity to boost physical wellbeing.

Creating Nature Blocks: an opportunity to support physical wellbeing and biodiversity

One type of conservation volunteering, which can be done at home, involves creating a small space in your garden or balcony for nature. More specifically, it involves planting Nature Blocks full of native species of plants or flowers that can support Australia’s rich biodiversity.

We’re partnering with the Bupa Foundation to deliver the Nature Blocks™ initiative, which is empowering Australians to build back nature, while improving their own health and wellbeing.

Nature Blocks provide habitat and food for a wide range of insects, reptiles, birds and even mammals that travel between gardens and fragments of nature in cities – helping provide corridors that connect their travel paths. It’s estimated that around 50% of Australia’s threatened fauna species live in cities, making these habitat corridors important for conserving these threatened species..

By getting outdoors and spending time planting and caring for your Nature Block, you can meet some of your physical activity targets each day, while also being a Nature Steward.

Final thoughts on Nature Blocks and physical wellbeing

The inspiration behind the Nature Blocks initiative and our partnership with the Bupa Foundation, is to improve the health and wellbeing of both people and nature in Australia.

Not only do Nature Blocks help promote biodiversity and resilient ecosystems, but planting and growing these micro-habitats for native plant life and wildlife can also positively impact our wellbeing.

Spending time in Nature can enhance physical activity, and taking part in the Nature Blocks initiative also helps build a community of Nature Stewards.

Download the CVA app and start creating your Nature Block today!

Disclaimer: This website does not provide medical advice. The content on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.