An island wildlife charity is encouraging residents to stay connected with nature during the pandemic using its magazine.

Manx Wildlife Trust has announced that the spring/summer edition of its Manx Nature magazine is free for all residents to download, rather than solely for its members.

It has also kick-started a social media campaign where it invites people to send in photos of them out exercising in their local area or out in their gardens during the lockdown, using the hashtag #closertonature.

Communications coordinator Rachael Harrop said: ’Manx Wildlife Trust are keen to engage with our Manx community about #ManxNature during the coronavirus lockdown period.

’We want to entertain them while they are stuck at home and inspire more people to get #CloserToNature in their own gardens and/or while taking daily exercise.

’To do this we are giving away our current Manx Nature magazine (free to download from our website), producing lots of free to access films and other useful resources, available via our Facebook page and website, and encouraging people to post photos and examples of the nature they encounter on our social media channels, using the hashtag #CloserToNature.

’Our magazine contains lots of wonderful images and content and we hope many will get chance to have a look - perhaps they may also decide to join MWT and become a member!’

MWT has received a good response from people who have sent in their images of them out enjoying their walks or working out in the environment.

The team have been videoing themselves out in nature and have been posting activity guides on its website and social media to provide some entertainment to those who are staying at home.

For more information, search www.manxwt.org.uk/discover-our-island/stuck-home or @ManxWildlifeTrust on social media.