What Are The Benefits Of Connecting with Nature?

May 28, 2026 | Latest News, Nature and waterways

Have you ever noticed that relaxing on the couch after a long hike hits the spot more than it does on a lazy Sunday? Or that the stresses of everyday life fade into the background when you’re overlooking a beautiful woodland? Maybe you’ve found that focusing on a Monday morning meeting is just a little easier after pausing to watch a flock of galahs on your walk to work.

If so, you are not alone. But why is that the case? What does the science actually say?

We decided to look into it. We compiled the findings of scientific studies investigating the links between spending time in nature and the resulting mental, physical, and cognitive benefits into one accessible report. You can read our full summary report here. 

Key takeaways include:

  • A 2022 study presents overwhelming evidence that increased immersion in nature benefits individual mental health in 98% of cases, while also providing strong evidence of physical and cognitive health improvements. 
  • An Australian study by Chang, C. et al. indicated that the health benefits gained from getting out into nature is also dependent on how ‘strong’ an Aussie’s preexisting connection to nature is. This means working to build and cultivate these initial connections is key.
  • Developing a strong connection to nature early in life doesn’t just improve a young person’s psychological well-being; it can also help inspire a broader societal shift toward climate positivity. 

These are just some of the many reasons the Conservation Council is running our Branching Out: Canberra Nature Walks series. Branching Out is an initiative aiming to engage the Canberra community, especially people with no, or very little, experience with our nature, and support them to enjoy all the beautiful nature spaces the ACT has on offer. 

We know that unfamiliar things can feel intimidating — especially when it comes to woodlands, wildlife, and insects — so we would like to support as many people as possible with making that first step. We hope to ignite a love of Canberra’s nature throughout the community and raise awareness of the importance of healthy ecosystems and the rich biodiversity across the ACT. 

Upcoming walks include:

  • The history, plants and animals of Red Hill Nature Reserve | 6 June 2026 | 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm:Join us for a guided walk with local conservationist and ecologist Michael Mulvaney. Find out more and register here.
  • The plants and animals of Bluetts Block | 7 June 2026 | 10:30am – 1pm: We warmly welcome LGBTQIA+, friends and allies in the wider community to join Diversity ACT for this free expert guided nature walk, hosted in collaboration with Diversity ACT, Conservation Council ACT, and the Friends of Bluetts Block.  Find out more and register here.

These walks are made possible with assistance from the ACT Government under the ACT Environmental Grants Program.Â