The Scottish Wildlife Trust has launched a campaign involving jars of air from its 120 reserves around Scotland to increase people’s connection with nature.
The ‘Breaths of Fresh Air’ campaign is designed to give the public a chance to experience the different smells produced by the grasslands, wildflower meadows, woodlands and the many other types of habitat managed by the Trust.
With 120 scents on offer – such as the harebells cliffs of Longhaven in Aberdeenshire, the hints of vanilla from the greater butterfly-orchid found in Bo’mains Meadow near Linlithgow, or the lichen and mosses of Ballachuan Hazelwood on Seil Island – visitors to Trust reserves will be spoiled for choice.
Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Jonny Hughes, said: “People’s day-to-day schedules are getting busier, with fewer people taking the chance to enjoy wildlife and the natural world.
“It is well documented that encounters with nature have proven physical and mental health benefits. We hope ‘Breaths of Fresh Air’ will help to increase the public’s connection with nature.
“Best of all, there is no need for the Trust to fill real jars with ‘Breaths of Fresh Air’ because 90% of the population of Scotland live within 10 miles of a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve. What this campaign is really about is encouraging people to make the most of this.
“It’s the school holidays, so it is a great time to get outside and enjoy the wildlife that is right on your doorstep. People can easily find their nearest Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve on our website.
“The Scottish Wildlife Trust also has three Visitor Centres – at Falls of Clyde in New Lanark, Loch of the Lowes near Dunkeld and Montrose Basin in Angus – where the public can learn even more about wildlife from our knowledgeable and friendly staff and volunteers.
“During our 50th Anniversary year, the Scottish Wildlife Trust would like people to take a little bit of time to enjoy a ‘Breath of Fresh Air’ of their own this summer.”
People are encouraged to tweet their ‘Breath of Fresh Air’ to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Twitter account – @ScotWildlife – using the hashtag #MyBreathofFreshAir.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust manages a network of 120 reserves across the country – more than any other conservation organisation in Scotland.