● New scientific research reveals reduction in anxiety of almost 10% and improvements in mental wellbeing when taking part in the Big Butterfly Count

● The first-of-its-kind study also shows citizen science activities can connect people with nature, a vital step towards conservation success and nature recovery

Leading wildlife charity, Butterfly Conservation, has today revealed that counting butterflies reduces anxiety by almost 10%, in new scientific research published in collaboration with the University of Derby.

The pioneering study involved surveying people taking part in Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count in 2022. The results demonstrate that briefly tuning into nature to count butterflies reduces anxiety by 9% on average, while also enhancing mental wellbeing.

Researchers also found that spending just 15 minutes observing and counting butterflies boosted participants' feeling of connectedness with nature. Noticing butterflies more often was sustained over 6-7 weeks after taking part.

How connected people feel to nature, known as nature connectedness, is directly correlated to how motivated they are to protect it. Therefore, the findings of this new study show that citizen science projects could play a vital role in nature’s recovery.

Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “While we have long known that there is a link between nature and human wellbeing, this study is the first to prove that the simple act of looking for and counting butterflies leads to a measurable decrease in anxiety.

“The results suggest that citizen science projects such as the Big Butterfly Count can play a part in improving people’s mental health, as well as gathering important data on how butterflies are faring to inform our conservation work.”

Dr Carly Butler, a Researcher in Nature Connectedness at the University of Derby and lead researcher on the study, said: "Our study showed that even small periods of time spent watching and counting butterflies are beneficial, with the benefits of reduced anxiety and stronger nature connectedness being the same whether people carried out just one 15-minute count or took part multiple times. This is key in proving that simple, small pockets of time connecting with wildlife and nature have a profound and beneficial effect on how we feel.”

Participants reported a range of positive and negative emotions, including joy, fascination, sadness, and concern; the latter driven by not seeing as many butterflies as they expected and fear over what is happening to our planet.

Carly added: “Interestingly, the more intensely participants felt these emotions, the more their feeling of closeness to nature and noticing wildlife increased afterwards, with participants reporting they felt motivated to help butterflies and nature more, by doing things such as transforming their gardens into butterfly-friendly havens.”

In conclusion, Dr Richard Fox said: “In order to save wildlife and ensure nature’s recovery we need people to care, and we know that being connected to nature sparks these caring feelings and a desire to do something positive. This study indisputably shows that citizen science activities, such as spending just a few minutes counting butterflies, makes people feel more connected to nature – a vital step in the battle to save wildlife.

“We’re at a tipping point, nature is in crisis, but we can all do something to help. Simple acts such as creating wild spaces to provide a haven for wildlife, or planting butterfly friendly plants in pots on a patio, terrace or balcony can have a positive impact.”

The Big Butterfly Count is Butterfly Conservation’s flagship citizen science activity, involving tens of thousands of participants across the UK spending 15 minutes in any sunny spot and recording the number and type of common butterflies and day-flying moths that they see.

This year’s Big Butterfly Count will take place from Friday 12 July - Sunday 4 August. For advice on creating a Wild Space for butterflies ready for the Big Butterfly Count, visit (https://butterfly-conservation.org/wild-spaces)

Notes to Editors

Interviews available on request, contact: news@butterfly-conservation.org or 07485372166 or 01929 406005

A selection of images, film and other assets can be found here: (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JyEUmRS3ktI1EWA4jIq5fmVVJZR1Ojth)

For further information or interviews please contact the Butterfly Conservation Press Office on 07485372166 or 01929 406005 or email news@butterfly-conservation.org

The study ‘Connection for Conservation: The impact of counting butterflies on nature connectedness and wellbeing in citizen scientists’ will be published on 4th March 2024 by the journal Biological Conservation. Advanced copies of the paper can be provided by the Butterfly Conservation Press Office.

The research is a collaboration between Butterfly Conservation and University of Derby, with part-funding from the Nature, Art and Wellbeing Community Fund, Dorset.

Butterfly Conservation is the UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths and our environment. Our research provides advice on how to conserve and restore habitats. We run projects to protect more than 100 threatened species and we are involved in conserving hundreds of sites and reserves. (https://butterfly-conservation.org) @savebutterflies

The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey, run by Butterfly Conservation, aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) we see. It’s so easy to do and is a fantastic activity for people from 3 to 103 years. All you have to do is spend 15 minutes in an outdoor space during sunny conditions and count the types and amount of butterflies you see. To find out more go to (https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org).

The University of Derby is an ambitious, innovative and modern university offering industry-relevant, expert teaching, from foundation and undergraduate degrees to postgraduate study and research.

At Derby, academic expertise, world-leading research and innovation are used to foster talent, support skills development and promote links with businesses regionally, nationally and globally. As well as traditional degree routes, the University offers apprenticeships from levels 2-7 for a wide range of job roles, working with high profile employers including Rolls-Royce, the NHS and the Institute of Quarrying. In addition, continuing professional development, knowledge transfer and sector-leading online courses create opportunities for individuals, employers and communities to develop and flourish.

The University is committed to working with partners to support social mobility, opening the doors to lifelong learning opportunities for anybody who wishes to progress their education. This has been recognised though the University’s involvement in the city of Derby’s membership of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities and its vision for inclusive lifelong learning that truly puts Derby on the world map as an exemplar of best practice.

The University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group (NCRG)(*) is leading work to bring about transformational change in people’s relationship with nature to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises, and improve the wellbeing of humans and the more-than-human world. Since 2013, they have been pioneering research into nature connection and achieved award-winning impact through their collaborative work developing practice and policy in support of human-nature relationships.

(*) (https://www.derby.ac.uk/research/centres-groups/nature-connectedness-research-group)

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