Research into links between health and nature recognises that nature is a great source of primary prevention and health promotion for the general population and particular groups (Hampshire et al., 2021; Ward Thompson et al., 2014). Spending time in nature supports mental and physical health, is associated with a sense of gratitude and self-worth, and can help people recover from stress and mental illness. This kind of experience with nature also helps build a sense of place and community and foster feelings of belonging. This has been particularly apparent during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (Poortinga et al., 2021). COVID-19 triggered a surge in social innovation to address issues ranging from food poverty to social isolation, combined with a dramatic turn to nature as a source of solace, stress relief and relaxation. In urban environments, local green space became particularly significant in this regard (Ugolini et al., 2020), with access to green space understood as a major source of resilience during the pandemic (Geng et al., 2020). Simultaneously, greater discussion of climate change gave rise to growing understandings of the need to redefine human interactions with natural ecosystems.

Nature's Way: Co-Creating Methods for Innovating Nature-based Solutions for Public Health and Green Recovery in a Post-COVID World