The Nature Doctor

On arrival at The Tree Doctors mobile, pop- up clinic, patients are triaged within the A&E (Awe and Excitement) Department to assess their current ‘Nature Connection Levels’. An Emergency Dose of Nature is administered - which invariably makes patients smile, then titter and/or chuckle before progressing on to a full-on belly laugh .

Treatment then begins! This includes a range of fun, immersive, interactive, hands-on activities - all of which intimately connect patients with the nature and wildlife in their immediate surroundings - whether that be in an urban or rural setting.

According to their symptoms and interests, patients may be required to undertake a spot of bug hunting; bird spotting; make mini animal habitats; discover the names of local trees and flowers; follow animal tracks and trails; make nature potions and mud pies. This menu of nature-related activities is endless and can be easily adapted to suit the season and local environment

Each prescribed treatment requires patients to use all their senses - so they start to view nature from different perspectives - to smell it, listen to it and of course feel it - not only via their hands but importantly via their head and heart too.

To administer these bespoke treatments, The Tree Doctor uses a range of scientific equipment including telescopes, binoculars and botanic magnifiers alongside more rudimentary ‘quack’ tools and implements such as a hoover pipe and a dustbin lid!

Each Dose of Nature provided by The Nature Doctor lasts between 20 - 30 minutes. Increasing scientific evidence shows that spending this length of time in nature helps to reduce stress levels, blood pressure and even improve your gut health. It also helps improve our physical and mental health and has a positive impact on our happiness and wellbeing.

Before discharging her patients, The Nature Doctor gives each patient a bespoke, hand-written ‘prescription’ of nature-related activities that can then redeemed in their garden and/or local green open space. She also stresses how important it is for patients to continue to spend time in green and blue spaces and to expand of some of the treatment (activities) they most enjoyed.

SUMMARY - The Nature Doctor is an interactive clown routine which can be booked as either a static or walkabout show. It’s content is deeply rooted in the growing body of scientific evidence that shows the wide-ranging positive benefits to our physical, mental and emotional well-being. of spending time outdoors in nature. So much so, that G.P's are using 'Green Prescribing' for a range of medical conditions - but without the clowning approach!

The show draws on Professor Queen Bee/AKA Teresa's academic background in Ecology and Environmental Sciences plus over 30 years experience working in the conservation sector with large charities including The Wildlife Trust and RSPB and working as a Forest School Teacher.