We ALL Need Time in Nature

We all need time in nature, it is essential for our mental and physical health. The Japanese call it Shinrin-Yoku (“forest bathing”), the Swedish have Friluftsliv (“open-air living”), Germans use Waldeinsamkeit (which describes a feeling of forest solitude, being alone in the woods and a connectedness to nature), and the Hawaiians say the words Aloha aina (to express their love of the land).

Here in Australia, there is an Aboriginal word, Dadirri, which describes contemplation, deep inner listening and a quiet awareness of creation that allows you to be at peace with yourself and come to a deeper understanding of the beauty of nature.

Regardless of the culture or the word/s they use to describe the immense importance of our connection to nature, without the animals, plants, fungi and bacteria that we share our planet with – we cannot survive.

I have struggled with my own mental health; anxiety and depression have followed me around since my teenage years. Through the years I have struggled. But when I am out in nature the world is a better, more beautful place. It consumes me. It is my therapy! Conversely, when I have not been in nature for a while, due to my work or book-writing commiments, I notice a dramatic decline in my mental health. And there is only one cure; grab my camera or binoculars and head off to a local woodland, beach or similar ‘wild’ place, and just soak in its revitalising energy.

Climate change is a term used to describe the fluctuating climate of the Earth throughout geological history. The pattern has been cyclical over the last 650,000 years, with seven documented cycles of glacial advance and retreat. The last of these ended around 11,700 years ago – the end of the last ice age – and marked the beginning of our modern climate era. Scientists attribute most of these climate change cycles to tiny variations in Earth’s orbit, which affect the amount of solar energy reaching the planet’s surface.

The rapid warming trend that we are currently witnessing in this cycle is due to human influence, and is termed ‘Anthropogenic’ Climate Change. One of the main causes is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere. At the time of writing, the current CO2 level measured within the Earth’s atmosphere (April 2025) is 422 ppm. When humans first appeared on Earth this figure was 180ppm.

Anthropogenic Climate Change, from human activity since the mid-20th century, is a significant threat to the world’s biodiversity. The biodiversity of life on earth, and our own future, is at a critical juncture. We are seeing the precursor to the planet’s sixth mass extinction. Many animal species have already become extinct as a direct result of human activities and many more are on the brink. The human population is rapidly increasing and our domesticated animals and livestock similarly so. Wilderness areas around the globe have been cut to just over 20% (70% of which is contained in just 5 countries: Australia, Russia, Canada, USA and Brazil) and wild animal populations make up just 4% of the animals on the planet!

Through my natural history publications, magazine articles, podcast episodes and wildlife photography, I hope to inspire awareness and change – a change towards restoring the planet’s diversity. On the tours I lead, I love showing a person an animal they have never seen before – the energy in that moment is so powerful and uplifting. I just hope that the stories of that encounter and the images they might capture of that animal are not the only things left for our future generations.

So please consider booking a personalised tour to see an Australian animal you haven’t seen before, or grab one of my books and go on your own self-guided tour. Take your cameras, take your binoculars or just take yourself and immerse yourself in nature. More importantly, share your images and your experiences and lets all work together to rewild the world!

Carbon offsetting your activities

We use the Greenfleet’s Carbon Offset programme, which enables travellers to offset their greenhouse gas emissions through the planting of native forests. Planting of native forests reduces the impacts of climate change, improves soil and water quality, and restores habitat for wildlife, including many endangered species.

Humans cut down over 50million trees every year. By offsetting with Greenfleet, we are growing hope for our climate and the environment.

Click here to donate.

(Greenfleet is a Deductible Gift Recipient organisation, so donations and offsets of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia)