Moray Firth Intertidal

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Community Use of Inter-tidal Zone Alness

UHI Inverness and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) collaborated to understand how use of the coastal area influences connections to nature and wellbeing.  This included perceptions of how the local community may perceive restoration projects and to identify the potential pathways for enhancing the well-being of the local community through any restoration projects in the area.

Key Themes

  1. A Space Apart - Space for reflection and calm, away from daily responsibilities
  2. Impact on Self - Enhancing physical and mental health, transforming sense of self and self efficacy, connecting to self.
  3. Connecting with Nature - Noticing nature, emotional connection to nature and place, making sense of place and developing pro-environmental behaviours.
  4. Connecting with People and Place - Importance of the space for social connections and combating isolation,
  5. Hopes and Fears for Future - Priority of maintaining access for all, and improving access for less able, exploring heritage and conserving the natural world.

Pictures and text of the 5 key themes detailed in the article itself.