Worth posting as it
bears out what a lot of us (birders) know!
One in four of us have never been to a river and one in 10
couldn't identify a badger, according to new research from the youth hostelling
charity YHA (England and Wales).
Many of us look back fondly on youthful days spent climbing
trees, exploring woodlands and looking for bugs in the great outdoors, however
it seems many of us are losing touch with the countryside. With school holidays
just around the corner, YHA is now urging families to get out and explore the
UK countryside.
The *survey also found that nearly four in 10 UK adults have
never climbed a tree, while nearly a quarter of respondents claim to have never
even been to a lake and 16% have never been to a woodland!
As for flora and fauna, many of us have little idea what's
out there. Eleven per cent of those polled believe they might bump into a wolf
or a skunk on their ramble through the British countryside, while one in 10
wouldn't recognise a badger if they saw one. Additionally, 60% of UK adults are
unaware our coastal waters are inhabited by sharks, whales and dolphins.
In total, 38% of respondents have either never been to the
countryside or go only once a year or less - something that YHA wants to
change.
YHA (England and Wales) Chief Executive Caroline White said:
"This survey shows that a large part of the population are losing touch
with the countryside - and missing out on so much. England and Wales has an
abundance of things to explore and discover – better still; most of it is free
or low cost, which, in the current economic climate, can only be good news.
“Giving people the chance to experience the great outdoors
means more of us can find out all about what is out there and is also good for
our health and happiness."
For more information about YHA, or to make a booking at any
of its hostels, visit
www.yha.org.uk.
Another example of how some (most) of us view the outdoors
is:
No wonder litter is a problem, a friend of mine when walking
his dog in Wantage recently came across a couple of 11 year olds
with a carrier bag full of rubbish, they were just about to throw it in a ditch
when he questioned them. They said their Mum had told them that their rubbish
bin was full so go and take it and dump it in the ditch.
You can’t blame the kids but what the hell is a parent like
that thinking!
What’s the answer?
“If you don’t engage
with it you aint gonna fight for it!”
