Nature & Joy

Duration of Pledge
October 2024 to May 2025

Let’s Experience Nature & Joy

The research indicated that Hong Kong citizens spent around 86% of their time indoors1, we are gradually distancing ourselves from nature. The book Last Child in the Woods published in 2008, introduced the concept of "Nature-deficit Disorder," which describes how people are becoming disconnected from the natural world2. When people lose contact with nature, it will be difficult for children to build awareness of environmental protection; leading to a higher chance of having attention problems, depression and other mental disorders; as well as increasing the risk of certain physical problems, such as myopia and obesity.

Therefore, we invite all of you to sign the Pledge “Nature & Joy” to reconnect with nature. Find your freedom and joy in nature, and establish a positive relationship with yourself, others, and the environment. Whether it is a stroll in the park or a walk in nature, when we immerse in nature, we can gain physical and mental pleasure and freedom; and appreciate the lush forests, the azure sea, countless creatures, and the liveliness of nature.

How to Participate

Step 1
Fill in the online registration form for free and download the e-certificate instantly.
Step 2
Spend at least 8 hours in Hong Kong’s nature; or organize an outdoor environmental education event that lasts at least 2 hours for the school or organization during the pledge period (October 2024 to May 2025).

Activity suggestions

  1. You can visit parks, forests, mountains, beaches and other outdoor natural environments for wildlife appreciation, photography, hiking, camping, and other leisure activities.
  2. You can arrange a full-day outdoor trip; or multiple, various types of hour-long activities.
  3. Can’t think of natural sites in Hong Kong? You can make reference to Parks, Zoos, Gardens, Country Parks and Special Areas, Marine Parks, Geopark Attractions.

Complete the Challenge
to
Get the
Exquisite Nature Pins!

Challenge period
October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
Prize
A corresponding pin for completion of each challenge level*.
*Nature pins are limited in quantity, available while supplies last!
Eligibilities
  • Signed the “Nature & Joy” pledge
  • After completing the challenge, contact us on WhatsApp 98534287 (Click here) by January 31, 2025 to verify your eligibility for the prize
Challenge items
LV. 1 - Nature Rising Star

LV. 1 Nature Rising Star

  1. Visit 3 different natural sites and do 1 activity at each.
  2. Share a post on social media with photos of the activity or nature.
LV. 2 - Nature Ambassador

LV. 2 Nature Ambassador

  1. First complete the【Nature Rising Star】challenge.
  2. Visit 2 more different natural sites and do 1 activity at each.
  3. Share a post on social media with photos of the activity or nature.
LV. 3 - Nature Expert

LV. 3 Nature Expert

  1. First completed the【Nature Ambassador】challenge
  2. Visit any natural sites and do 2 activities.
  3. Share a post on social media with photos of the activity or nature.
LV. 4 - Nature Master

LV. 4 Nature Master

  1. First completed the【Nature Expert】challenge
  2. Visit any natural sites and do 2 activities.
  3. Share a post on social media with photos of the activity or nature.
Post requirements
  • For each challenge participants complete, you are required to write a post on social media, sharing the natural site you visited, the activity content, and your thoughts, accompanied by photos.
  • Set your post to be public, and use the hashtag #NatureandJoy and tag OWLHK’s account
    Facebook: @owlhk2016; Instagram: @owlhk; LinkedIn: @owlhk
  • All posts must be published between October 1, 2024 and January 2, 2025.
Nature Pin collection
  • After completing the challenge, please WhatsApp us at 98534287 (Click here) before January 31, 2025.
  • Participants need to provide the link to the posts* and the name used to register the “Nature & Joy” pledge.
    *How to copy the post’s link (guide)
  • Once we have verified your eligibility, we will notify you of the collection method within two months.
  • Pins are limited in quantity and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis^.
    ^The time of our confirmation of the participant's eligibility will be the reference.

The Benefits of Engaging Nature

Many studies have shown that exposure to nature can have positive effects on physical and mental health, learning abilities and environmental awareness.

General Public

Physical Health
2 Hours
People who spend more than 2 hours in nature per week can improve their health.3
  • To strengthen the immune system4, 5
  • To improve sleep quality6
  • To reduce the likelihood of developing chronic diseases7, 8
  • To lower the risk of developing dementia in old age9
  • To reduce the likelihood of severe obesity10
  • To reduce mortality rate11
Mental Health
5 Minutes
Exercising in nature for at least 5 minutes at a time can effectively improve mood and boost self-confidence.18
  • To help relieve stress12, 13, 14, 15
  • To reduce anxiety3, 8, 16, 17
  • To boost self-confidence18
Environmental Awareness
15%
People who visit the countryside every day can recognize 15% more local species on average compared to those who rarely visit.21
  • To encourage pro-environmental behaviours19
  • To enhance local sense of belonging and civic engagement20
  • To enhance ecological literacy and knowledge21

Children

Learning Abilities
98%
By integrating the environment into subject teaching, 98% of teachers reported that their students’ enthusiasm and engagement in learning have been significantly increased.24
  • To improve academic performance22, 23, 24
  • To enhance thinking skills24
  • To increase learning motivation25
  • To improve focus and self-discipline25, 26, 27
Environmental Awareness
Age 11
Increased exposure to nature before age 11 can help cultivate environmental awareness in later life.28
  • To increase environmental awareness and encourage pro-environmental behaviours28, 29
  • To enhance local sense of belonging and civic engagement30
Physical and Mental Health
3 Hours
Daily exposure to nature for 3 hours can reduce the risk of myopia.33
  • To benefit overall health31
  • To reduce the likelihood of developing chronic diseases32, 33
  • To help relieve stress34
Interpersonal Relationship
1 Hour
Participating in outdoor activities for about 1 hour per week can significantly boost children's self-confidence after 8 months of continuous engagement.36
  • To promote family harmony35
  • To help to establish a positive self-image and self-confidence36
  • Informative Poster - The Benefits of Engaging Nature
    (Download)

Nature Activities Suggestions

For general public

  • Try to follow our suggested ways to spend time in nature.
  • You can also participate in the outdoor activities we organized, having fun with our environmental tutors and meeting like-minded friends.

For parents

  • Go out to nature with your children.
  • Encourage your children to record their feelings while playing, using words, drawings, etc.
  • You can also sign up for our childhood education activities to connect with nature.

For school teachers or
activity organizers

  • Organize outdoor environmental education activities for schools or organizations.
  • Or collaborate with us, making environmental education engaging fun, interactive outdoor learning experience.

Sign the Pledge

Sign the pledge with your family and friends! (optional)

Are you OWL Friends? Register now

Personal Data Collection Statement

References

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2 Louv, R. (2008). Last child in the woods: saving our children from nature-deficit disorder (Updated and expanded ed.). Chapel Hill, N.C.: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.
3 White, M. P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J., Wheeler, B. W., Hartig, T., Warber, S. L., ... & Fleming, L. E. (2019). Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-11.
4 Tsao, T. M., Tsai, M. J., Hwang, J. S., Cheng, W. F., Wu, C. F., Chou, C. C., & Su, T. C. (2018). Health effects of a forest environment on natural killer cells in humans: An observational pilot study. Oncotarget, 9(23), 16501.
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6 Karami, Z., Golmohammadi, R., Heidaripahlavian, A., Poorolajal, J., & Heidarimoghadam, R. (2016). Effect of daylight on melatonin and subjective general health factors in elderly people. Iranian journal of public health, 45(5), 636.
7 Kardan, O., Gozdyra, P., Misic, B., Moola, F., Palmer, L. J., Paus, T., & Berman, M. G. (2015). Neighborhood greenspace and health in a large urban center. Scientific reports, 5(1), 1-14.
8 Nair, R., & Maseeh, A. (2012). Vitamin D: The "sunshine" vitamin. J Pharmacol Pharmacother, 3(2), 118-126.
9 Simons, L. A., Simons, J., McCallum, J., & Friedlander, Y. (2006). Lifestyle factors and risk of dementia: Dubbo Study of the elderly. Medical Journal of Australia, 184(2), 68-70. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2006.tb00120.x
10 Halonen, J. I., Kivimäki, M., Pentti, J., Stenholm, S., Kawachi, I., Subramanian, S. V., & Vahtera, J. (2014). Green and blue areas as predictors of overweight and obesity in an 8‐year follow‐up study. Obesity, 22(8), 1910-1917.
11 Gascon, M., Triguero-Mas, M., Martínez, D., Dadvand, P., Rojas-Rueda, D., Plasència, A., & Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J. (2016). Residential green spaces and mortality: A systematic review. Environment international, 86, 60-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2015.10.013
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13 Mitchell, R. J., Richardson, E. A., Shortt, N. K., & Pearce, J. R. (2015). Neighborhood environments and socioeconomic inequalities in mental well-being. American journal of preventive medicine, 49(1), 80-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2015.01.017
14 Marcus, C. C., & Barnes, M. (1995). Gardens in healthcare facilities: Uses, therapeutic benefits, and design recommendations. Martinez, CA: Center for Health Design.
15 Jung, W. H., Woo, J. M., & Ryu, J. S. (2015). Effect of a forest therapy program and the forest environment on female workers’ stress. Urban forestry & urban greening, 14(2), 274-281.
16 Meredith, G. R., Rakow, D. A., Eldermire, E. R., Madsen, C. G., Shelley, S. P., & Sachs, N. A. (2020). Minimum time dose in nature to positively impact the mental health of college-aged students, and how to measure it: A scoping review. Frontiers in psychology, 2942.
17 Foxx, C. L., Heinze, J. D., González, A., Vargas, F., Baratta, M. V., Elsayed, A. I., ... & Lowry, C. A. (2021). Effects of immunization with the soil-derived bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae on stress coping behaviors and cognitive performance in a “two hit” stressor model. Frontiers in physiology, 11, 524833.
18 Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010). What is the best dose of nature and green exercise for improving mental health? A multi-study analysis. Environmental science & technology, 44(10), 3947-3955.
19 Liu, Y., Cleary, A., Fielding, K. S., Murray, Z., & Roiko, A. (2022). Nature connection, pro-environmental behaviours and wellbeing: Understanding the mediating role of nature contact. Landscape and Urban Planning, 228, 104550.
20 Bell, S. (2005). Nature for people: the importance of green spaces to communities in the East Midlands of England. Wild Urban Woodlands: New Perspectives for Urban Forestry, 81-94.
21 Pilgrim, S., Smith, D., & Pretty, J. (2007). A cross‐regional assessment of the factors affecting ecoliteracy: implications for policy and practice. Ecological applications, 17(6), 1742-1751.
22 DeMarco, L. W., Relf, D., & McDaniel, A. (1999). Integrating gardening into the elementary school curriculum. HortTechnology, 9(2), 276-281.
23 Parrish, D., Phillips, G., Levine, R., Hikawa, H., Gaertner, M., Agosta, N., & Doyal, D. (2005). Effects of outdoor education programs for children in California. American Institute For Research.
24 Lieberman, G. A., & Hoody, L. L. (1998). Closing the achievement gap : using the environment as an integrating context for learning : Results of a nationwide study.
25 Chawla, L., Keena, K., Pevec, I., & Stanley, E. (2014). Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence. Health & place, 28, 1-13.
26 Taylor, A. F., Kuo, F. E., & Sullivan, W. C. (2002). Views of nature and self-discipline: Evidence from inner city children. Journal of environmental psychology, 22(1-2), 49-63.
27 Faber Taylor, A., & Kuo, F. E. (2009). Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park. Journal of attention disorders, 12(5), 402-409.
28 Wells, N. M., & Lekies, K. S. (2006). Nature and the life course: Pathways from childhood nature experiences to adult environmentalism. Children Youth and Environments, 16(1), 1-24.
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30 Duffin, M., Powers, A., & Tremblay, G. (2004). Report on Cross-Program Research.
31 Richardson, M., Sheffield, D., Harvey, C., & Petronzi, D. (2016). The impact of children’s connection to nature: A report for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). University of Derby, 1-25.
32 Wood, S., Demougin, P. R., Higgins, S. L., Husk, K., Wheeler, B. W., & White, M. P. (2016). Exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and proximity to the coast: A rural/urban perspective. Health & place, 40, 129-136.
33 Lingham, G., Yazar, S., Lucas, R. M., Milne, E., Hewitt, A. W., Hammond, C. J., ... & Mackey-benefit, D. A. (2021). Time spent outdoors in childhood is associated with reduced risk of myopia as an adult. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 6337.
34 Wells, N. M., & Evans, G. W. (2003). Nearby nature: A buffer of life stress among rural children. Environment and behavior, 35(3), 311-330.
35 D’Amore, C. (2015). Family nature clubs: Creating the conditions for social and environmental connection and care (Doctoral dissertation, Prescott College).
36 O’Brien, L., & Murray, R. (2007). Forest School and its impacts on young children: Case studies in Britain. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 6(4), 249-265.