Could Strangford Lough be good for health?

Could Strangford Lough be good for health?

11 July 2012

WHAT makes people feel good? For some it is healthy eating and good exercise, for others it is hard work and relaxing holidays. Lost hours reading a good book, a trip to the cinema or the simple pleasure of a little undisturbed ‘me’ time.

But the people who run one of Down District’s most beautiful areas believe getting in touch with nature and wildlife can reduce stress among adults and improve the way children learn and develop.

The Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership (SLLP) believes the cure for many society’s ills can be found in appreciation of local heritage, both natural and built. In a bid to convince people of the value of the nature, the partnership has enlisted the help of international lecturer and television mentalist, David Meade.

Meade joined Partnership officials at an unusual event in Stormont last week. The SLLP took its People and Landscape Roadshow to the seat of government as part of an ongoing campaign to raise the issue of valuing heritage.

An acclaimed motivational speaker, Meade challenged MLAs and others to examine the links between heritage, health and happiness. He quoted research that demonstrated how getting in touch with nature can have profound effects on the health of an individual.

“In the future the role of our environment in promoting well being and health will be even more important and for that reason alone we need to conserve our fantastic landscape and promote wildlife experiences such as getting up close to our amazing marine life, for instance on the shore or at the Exploris aquarium,” he told the audience.

The seminar highlighted scientific evidence of the benefits to health and well being of a positive natural environment, quoting influential research, including claims there is a reduction in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among those engaging in nature.

The SLLP visit to Stormont was the latest stage in its bid to produce a vision for the area that puts heritage at the heart of its future. The Partnership is using feedback from people who attended the roadshow that toured the area in February along with input from 20 organisations and community representatives.

Reporting on the fruits of recent research among the communities which live, work and play in the region, Caroline Nolan, manager of the Partnership, is in no doubt that the area is already much appreciated.

However she adds: “While we are all agreed on the need actively to manage and protect this unique Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are inevitably many different, and valid, strands of opinion on how to achieve the best outcomes for the region.

“Working closely with stakeholders across the local communities, listening to their input and valuing their knowledge and experience is of central importance to all those with a responsibility for managing the area’s heritage and related socio economic benefits.

“Together, we have brought some of the complex issues concerning the future of Strangford and Lecale to Stormont today, an important step in raising the profile of the region’s potential impact on ‘NI plc’.

“It is only by building informed support that we will both protect and manage the fabulous natural resource of the Strangford and Lecale AONB.”

For Partnership chairwoman, Isabel Hood, the key is working collaboratively rather than trying to “re-invent the wheel.”

“The goal is to hand over this wonderful landscape and rich heritage to the next generation, along with job opportunities and a healthy lifestyle”.