The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) has launched a Nature Explorer Project to encourage students of the University of the Highlands and Islands to explore their local green areas with the hopes of improving their mental and physical wellbeing.
Running from today, Monday 9th November to Friday 11th December, students who sign up for the project will receive a free explorer’s pack to better familiarise themselves with the nature and wildlife in their region.
Participants will also have the opportunity to partake in online photography competitions to win prizes.
This project is part of a programme being delivered by the Highland Green Health Partnership who, through their Think Health Think Nature initiative, strongly promote the health benefits of connecting with nature.
The HISA Nature Explorer Project has been made possible thanks to funding from the EU Leader Rural Development Fund and NatureScot.
Commenting on the project, HISA Vice President for Higher Education, Jack Shehata, said:
“We are delighted to have secured Highland Green Health Partnership funding for this project.
“HISA is continuously striving towards becoming a more environmentally focused organisation and projects like this enable us to give our students more green opportunities.
“We hope that the HISA Nature Explorer Project will encourage our students to go outdoors and become familiar with the incredible nature that Scotland has to offer.
“This has been an extraordinarily tough year for our students, so giving them an incentive to go outside in a safe environment is so important in working to improve their mental health and wellbeing, especially as we go into a difficult winter period.
|”I look forward to seeing images of students enjoying their local surroundings and using their explorer’s pack.
“What better time to be at one with nature than now.”