Nature Connection Tasmania 2022: a codesign outcomes report

<p>The Nature Connection Project aims to generate local, innovative, action research that drives positive environmental and social changes – to improve employment, education, health and sustainability.</p><p>Specifically, the project aims to:<br>1. Design a coordinated, long-term research strategy with and for local partners that delivers meaningful and valuable evidence demonstrating the impacts of nature connection/nature-based activities/urban greening/other nature-based solutions on human and environmental health and wellbeing and sustainability.</p><p>2. Ensure the proposed research will investigate relevant issues and generate useful evidence that drives positive environmental and social change – including in the areas of employment, education, health and sustainability.</p><p>3. Bring together individuals and organisations working in the people/nature space to identify opportunities, shared research goals and research project opportunities.</p><p>In 2022, SuPErInteract co-designed its 2023 research plan through workshops with research partners across government, business, the non-government sector, and communities. As part of that process, on the 13th of July, 2022, SuPErInteract conducted a workshop at Spring Bay Mill, Triabunna. At this workshop, some of Tasmania’s ‘nature connectors’ gathered together to think about what a state-based Nature Connection research project might look like and continue to co-design . We sought to identify shared research needs, goals and opportunities.</p><p><br></p><p>There were 25 attendees at the workshop, from 15 different organisations. Attending organisations represented: local and national nature conservation, connection and restoration, Aboriginal community, local council, academia and other National Environmental Science Program Hubs.<br>This report is a summary of the process and outcomes of that workshop. We hope the report captures not only the substance of that gathering, but also its optimistic spirit and sense of urgency and enthusiasm.</p>