This Natural England report (December 2022) describes research to co-create a quantitative measure for children and young people. It presents an overview of evidence to better understand how children and young people aged 8–15 years old judge the quality of their local natural environments and rate the quality of outdoor space across England.
The report finds that children identify the following factors as contributing to the ‘quality’ of an outdoor space: variety in animals and plants; facilities; activities and play spaces; feelings and senses; access; and safety and well-being.
Children raised issues around a sense of belonging and access to and safety in natural spaces. It appears important to ensure that children not only have quality green and blue spaces near them but that their access to those spaces is enabled and valued by adults.
This is the first project to incorporate the details and nuances of children’s perspectives into the development of a measure that is appropriate and meaningful for children.
