National Trust launches ‘Wild Senses’ campaign to reignite nature connection this autumn

Launching after last night’s first episode of Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles - the BBC’s new nature series co-produced by the National Trust and The Open University - the campaign urges people to step outside and reconnect with the natural world on their doorstep.

The series presented and narrated by wildlife expert and cameraman Hamza Yassin, celebrates the UK’s seasonal biodiversity and encourages viewers to notice, appreciate and reconnect to everyday wildlife, even in urban environments.

“Sometimes in our cities it might seem like there isn't any nature,” says Hamza Yassin. “But if you just take a little minute, you'll be amazed at what you can find.

“Autumn is one of my favourite times of year. Stepping into nature or simply sitting outside and letting nature come to you can really raise your spirits which makes it vitally important to make sure we all get out to enjoy nature all the year round.”

Despite 90% of UK adults reporting that spending time in nature has a positive impact on their wellbeing, only 13% say they feel most connected to nature in autumn, according to a new YouGov poll commissioned by the Trust. The disconnect is striking given that 79% of respondents say they are likely to seek out nature during the autumn season.

The survey also revealed:
• Sight is the most valued sense for enjoying autumn (42%), with autumn colours cited as the top seasonal highlight by most UK adults (80%).
• 71% of adults say the change to autumn colours are the clearest sign of the season’s shift.
• 72% of adults always or often notice nature in their local area

Yet, despite this enthusiasm, poor weather and less daylight with the darker mornings and evenings, were cited as the biggest barriers to spending more time outdoors during this period.

“Nature isn’t just in our nature reserves—it’s in our gardens, streets, and local parks,” says Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust.

“These green spaces are vital homes for nature and for enabling people to connect with the wild world that’s around them in every season. Given 65 million (that’s 85% of the UK population) live in urban areas – we must protect and plan for high quality green spaces to ensure everyone has access to nature year-round.

"Thinking about the autumn – it really does offer a sensory feast: the crunch of leaves, the scent of damp earth, the feel of conkers, and the taste of hedgerow berries. This connection is vital for our wellbeing, especially as darker days set in.”

To encourage people to engage with nature more deeply, the Trust has launched Naturehood with the free walking app, Go Jauntly, www.gojauntly.com/naturehood, featuring three specific curated walks in London, Manchester, and Birmingham that take in green and blue spaces, plus a nationwide challenge with 25 nature-based activities—from cloud watching to touching tree bark and moss.

For those with gardens or nearby green space, the conservation charity is also urging action to support wildlife this autumn. Ben McCarthy, Head of Nature Conservation at the National Trust, warns that this record-breaking hot summer and drought resulting in earlier fruiting of berries and nuts, could result in certain species like hedgehogs, dormice, and birds being short of food later in the season.

He commented: “With the impact of climate change and extreme weather resulting in more frequent hotter periods, gardeners can make a real difference to wildlife by planting late-fruiting shrubs and native trees and hedgerows, leaving leaf piles for hibernating animals, and avoiding excessive tidying. Every garden can be a haven for wildlife and your action counts.”

For further information about the charity’s Wild Senses campaign visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/nature