A pilot research study at the School of Architecture and Landscape encouraged local residents to tap into the sights, sounds and smells of nature in the evening, at a time when outdoor evening leisure is becoming increasingly popular.
Warming cities and heatwaves due to climate change have contributed to an overall increase in the use of urban greenspace in evenings. After dark, multi-sensory experiences of nature in these spaces are often more readily noticed, including seeing or hearing nocturnal animals, smelling unusual scents, or noticing a sunset or the moon.
Researchers undertaking a pilot project in the School of Architecture and Landscape ran a series of outdoor events in Sheffield parks during evenings in May and June 2026, involving 65 participants from four community groups..
The research team was made up of Prof Clare Rishbeth, Dr Elisa Olivares Esquivel, Catherine Higham, Dr Simone Farris and Ellé Chmiewliski.
As well as engagement with nature and the sensory experiences themselves, the events involved discussion of the social aspects of being outdoors after dark. The researchers found that ‘delight’ and ‘wonder’ were frequently reported as important parts of the participants’ experiences, as well as a broad interest in doing more similar activities in future and learning more about the natural phenomena that were observed.
However, the team also noted various methodological and equality challenges, as most groups were unused to running outdoor events after dark. It was important to carefully work through risk assessments and how to ensure these events were accessible and feasible for diverse participants, especially as sunset is quite late in May and June. Using outdoor research methods meant that a number of factors were unpredictable, including weather conditions and uncertain timings of animal activities.
Clare Rishbeth, Professor of Inclusive Landscapes, said: "Spending time in parks on summer evenings is a great way to relax on hot days. Our research looks at how connecting with nature is part of the experience; bats, foxes, sunsets and stars. We also need to understand how park design and management can ensure that a wide range of people feel safe and welcome to use parks at dusk, and to balance increases in human use with the needs of nocturnal nature."
The team have produced a booklet for their participants to give an overview of the project activities across the city, which can be viewed here.