Nature participation during pandemic restrictions: results for different socio-economic groups and policy preferences in South Australia

Nature participation is known to be an important health and wellbeing contributor. The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented changes to peoples’ lives around the world. Also, in Australia, lockdown restrictions limited the way people lived and resulted in significant impacts on physical and mental wellbeing. This study investigated the characteristics and views of 2500 South Australian residents regarding both regular nature and COVID-19-induced nature participation, related stated health effects and policy preferences for increased nature engagement. Results highlight that being younger, female, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander as well as having families with children and living in more socio-economic advantaged and less rural areas was significantly associated with increased nature participation during the pandemic. Being unable to work, for example due to a disability, was significantly related to less nature visits during the pandemic and increased nature access issues. Access issues were also experienced by low income households and those living in socio-economic disadvantaged areas, as well as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander respondents. Future policies would benefit from considering the nature participation needs for all groups of society to alleviate existing inequities, particularly during pandemic restrictions.