Students in Ross-shire and wider Highlands urged to explore nature and wildlife to improve mental wellbeing
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Students in the Highlands are being encouraged to explore their local green areas in a bid to improve their mental and physical wellbeing.
The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) is launching a nature explorer project which will also include the chance to take part in online photography competitions.
Students who sign up for the project, which runs from Monday November 9 to Friday December 11, will receive a free explorer’s pack to better familiarise themselves with the nature and wildlife in their region.
It is part of a programme being delivered by the Highland Green Health Partnership which promotes the health benefits of connecting with nature through its Think Health Think Nature initiative.
The Hisa project has been made possible thanks to funding from the EU Leader Rural Development Fund and NatureScot.
Jack Shehata, Hisa vice president for higher education, was delighted funding had been secured.
"Hisa is continuously striving towards becoming a more environmentally focused organisation and projects like this enable us to give our students more green opportunities," he said.
"We hope that the Hisa Nature Explorer Project will encourage our students to go outdoors and become familiar with the incredible nature that Scotland has to offer.
"This has been an extraordinarily tough year for our students, so giving them an incentive to go outside in a safe environment is so important in working to improve their mental health and wellbeing, especially as we go into a difficult winter period.
"I look forward to seeing images of students enjoying their local surroundings and using their explorer’s pack.
"What better time to be at one with nature than now."
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