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

Victoria Carr; Joelene Hughes

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.618283

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

Front Psychol. 2021 Mar 23:12:618283. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.618283. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Victoria Carr¹, Joelene Hughes¹

Affiliation

¹ RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, The Lodge, Sandy, United Kingdom.

Abstract

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 (N = 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.

Keywords: connection to nature; conservation behavior; evaluation; nature activities; nature connection; nature relatedness; pro-environmental behavior.