Reimagining Integration: Evaluating the Role of Nature-Based Practices

This research presentation explores how nature-based interventions foster social integration, cultural belonging, and policy innovation in diverse communities. Drawing from the Nature-Based Integration (NBI) project, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and the British Academy, this study investigates the impact of ecological engagement on migrant integration through participatory mapping, community aesthetic workshops, and surveys of UK-wide initiatives.
Findings reveal that nature-engaged activities, such as communal gardening, outdoor cultural rituals, and storytelling, significantly enhance social cohesion, mental well-being, and environmental stewardship- all key indicators in the Home Office’s 2019 Indicators of Integration framework. This presentation critically examines how policymakers, urban planners, and community organizations can evaluate and embed nature-based integration into policy frameworks, ensuring inclusivity and long-term sustainability.
Key themes include:
• Evaluating the impact of nature-based interventions on integration, health, and social inclusion.
• Methodologies for measuring success, including participatory mapping and reflexive observations.
• Policy translation: How research findings inform regional and national integration strategies.
This session will provide practical insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in evidence-based approaches to nature-based integration. It will also contribute to the broader discourse on how environmental and cultural practices intersect in shaping more inclusive, sustainable communities.