Predicting the Development of Adult Nature Connection Through Nature Activities: Developing the Evaluating Nature Activities for Connection Tool

• Published in: Frontiers in psychology Vol. 12; p. 618283
• Main Authors: Carr, Victoria, Hughes, Joelene
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 23.03.2021
• Subjects: connection to nature; evaluation; nature activities; nature connection; nature relatedness; pro-environmental behavior; Psychology; evaluation; nature relatedness; conservation behavior; nature connection; pro-environmental behavior; connection to nature; nature activities
• ISSN: 1664-1078; 1664-1078
• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.618283

Nature Connection (NC) is considered an important driver of conservation behavior. Consequently, conservation organizations run many activities aiming to increase NC among participants. However, little is known about which activities are most effective at doing this and why. This study developed the Evaluating Nature Activities for Connection Tool (ENACT), to evaluate the effectiveness of activities for increasing participants' NC and nature-related intentions. ENACT comprises 11 activity aspects identified through two research phases. In Phase 1, a literature search, focus group and interviews identified desired, short-term behavioral outcomes of nature activities, and variables that might promote these. In Phase 2, 241 adults completed a pilot survey immediately post-nature activity, with 1-month follow-up ( = 145), to evaluate the impact of participation on NC, nature-related behavioral intentions and behaviors. ENACT correlated with NC measures and offered incremental validity in predicting nature-related behavioral intentions and self-reported behaviors after 1 month.