The role of a nature-based program in fostering multiple connections to nature

Abstract

Reconnecting to nature is imperative for the sustainability of humans on Earth, offering a leverage point for system change. Connections to nature have been conceptualized as a typology of five types as follows: material; experiential; cognitive; emotional; and, philosophical, ranging from relatively shallow to deeper connections, respectively. Educational programs that immerse individuals in nature have been designed to build an appreciation for places travelled, awareness of environmental issues and to promote pro-environmental behaviours. Using quantitative and qualitative data from 295 individuals who participated in National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) programs ranging from 14 to 90 days, we tested hypotheses to understand whether and to what extent NOLS influenced the five types of connections to nature. We further investigated whether deeper connection types were associated with greater intentions for pro-environmental behaviours. Findings showed that individuals generally reported greater connections to nature after the NOLS program, with emotional and material connections increasing the most. While intentions for pro-environmental behaviour increased from pre- to post-program, deeper connections to nature did not correspond to greater intention for pro-environmental behaviour. The strongest predictor of intention for pro-environmental behaviour was a cognitive connection, though an emotional connection was also a significant predictor. Ultimately, we found that the NOLS program fosters multiple connections to nature and increases intentions for pro-environmental behaviour. We call for more research to understand the relationships among connection to nature types and how those interactions may influence intentions for pro-environmental behaviour—in nature-based educational programs and in other contexts.

Using the Multidimensional AIMES to Estimate Connection-to-Nature in an Australian Population: A Latent Class Approach to Segmentation

“…A relationship between egocentricism and connection to nature via its material consumption is consistent with a good deal of thinking in environmental behaviour research [46,54,55] and sustainable consumption [47]. Baird, Dale, Holzer, Hutson, Ives and Plummer [14] for example refer to materialism as representing a "shallow connections to nature" (p. 3) recognising its basis in anthropocentrism and distinguishing it from "deeper" forms of connection such as cognitive and emotional connections.…”

“…The AIMES is based on Ives, et al [13] theoretical model of CN that highlights multiple ways of connecting to nature: material, experiential, cognitive, emotional, and philosophical. Recent work by Baird, et al [14] successfully demonstrated the use of this framework by showing how outdoor based nature programs influence the five connection types identified by Ives, Abson, von Wehrden, Dorninger, Klaniecki and Fischer [13]. Furthermore, Riechers, et al [15] found this multi-dimensional conceptualisation useful in describing the effects of landscape change on CN.…”

“…Riechers, Pătru-Dus , e and Balázsi [15], for example, showed that a multidimensional appreciation of CN was required to capture the diversity of effects associated with different types of landscapes and the human relationships associated with them. Baird, Dale, Holzer, Hutson, Ives and Plummer [14] also benefitted from a multidimensional approach when evaluating environmental education programs. Further validation and development of the AIMES provides researchers with the benefits of understanding keyways individuals can connect with nature, and can facilitate a comparison of research results across different research contexts in which CN has been measured by the same instrument.…”

“…This study has provided further evidence that individuals do not make sense of material connections to nature in the same way they experience connections of identity, affect, experience in nature, or spirituality. Baird, Dale, Holzer, Hutson, Ives and Plummer [14] have suggested that the five types of connections developed by Ives, Abson, von Wehrden, Dorninger, Klaniecki and Fischer [13] might be conceived as systematically varying from shallow to deeper connections, and that future research might seek to test this position. Our results support this need for future research and suggest that it be examined in the context of different types of pro-environmental behaviours (e.g., dematerialisation behaviours) varying in the level of commitment required to perform them and involve subpopulations that are likely to prioritise different connections to nature (e.g., pro-environmental versus pro-development groups).…”

Influencing factors and mechanism of tourists’ pro-environmental behavior – Empirical analysis of the CAC-MOA integration model

“…With further research, scholars have argued that cognitive and affective factors play an important driving role in tourists’ pro-environmental behavior ( Baird et al, 2022 ). Among the existing research, few studies have explored the influencing factors that affect tourists’ pro-environmental behavior through motivation-opportunity-ability (MOA) theory and cognitive-affective-conative (CAC) theory conjointly.…”