‘How Art Could Save Us from Extinction’ Report

‘Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow’ was commissioned by the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and University of Derby through the Oak Project, a national arts programme that used art, culture and creativity to help restore society’s connection with the environment.

Through research carried our by the University of Derby’s Nature Connectedness Research Group during its first year of programming, the Oak Project’s data provided proof of concept that experiencing nature through the arts is leading to a significant increase in both nature connection and personal wellbeing.

Dr Carly Butler & Prof Miles Richardson of the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby led an evaluation of the impact of Great Oaks... Visitors at RHS Chelsea Flower show were invited to take part in a survey exploring their experiences of the exhibit and the extent to which pathways to nature connectedness were activated by it.

The impact of Great Oaks...

• 140,000 visitors to RHS Chelsea Flower Show

• Over 1,900 views of a guided meditation using the installation

• Over 70% of respondents agreed that it helped them feel more connected to nature and wanted to do more to help it

• Most people strongly agreed that the Great Oaks from little Acorns grow... exhibit activated pathways to nature connectedness.

• Over 90% of people agreed that the exhibit was beautiful, that it activated their senses, and that it made them feel calm or joyful

• Over 70% indicated some agreement that the exhibit helped them feel more connected to nature and wanted to do more to help it.

This is supported by the qualitative data collected which reveals the depth and intensity of people’s responses to the installation, and suggest that when the pathways work together it intensifies the impact of the experience.