Wellies, worms and birdsong are vital to child mental health, writes the ZSL's

We have a problem. Young people’s mental health has reached a crisis point. Outdoor time at school has halved in a generation, according to a recent report from the Play Commission.

- 

And a Save the Children survey found that more than two-thirds of our children are worried about the world they're inheriting — with good reason.

Yet we're sitting on a solution that works: nature. Studies show that children who spend time in natural spaces have better mental health, stronger immunity, improved attention and deeper resilience. They're calmer, healthier and more connected to the world around them. The government estimates that £2.1bn a year could be saved in health costs if everyone in England had good access to green space.