This paper provides an overview of the research on the relation between experiences in nature and pro-environmentalism. It also identifies a number of issues related to research on the topic and offers specific recommendations for future research. Pro-environmentalism, as presented in this paper, includes pro-environmental attitudes (EA) and pro-environmental behaviors (EB). The paper has three main sections: one reporting on what experiences in nature refer to and how and where they occur; a second describing the different approaches used to investigate and interpret the experiences in nature; and a third offering suggestions for future research.
Research relating to environmental attitudes (EA) include studies evaluating ecological beliefs, connectedness to nature, place attachment, biophilia, and willingness to engage in environmental behaviors (EB). Experiences in nature as discussed in the reviewed literature refers to time spent in natural areas, which include both “wild natural areas” such as forests and “nearby natural environments” such as urban parks, gardens, and vacant lots. Some research focuses on specific aspects of the person–nature interaction, which can be intentional (direct and motivated by intent) or non-intentional (indirect and incidental). The person-nature interaction can also be defined by the type of activity conducted in the natural setting and the social context of the activity.
This review identified six main approaches used by researchers to examine the association between experiences in nature and pro-environmentalism. While studies using these approaches have generally supported a positive association between experiences in nature and pro-environmentalism, some research has revealed contradictory results. The mixed results and the fact that the relation between experiences in nature and pro-environmentalism is complex indicates a need for more nuanced research. The authors of this review call for researchers to acknowledge the possibility of a cyclical relation between experiences in nature and pro-environmentalism. They also highlight the need for a clear definition of “experiences in nature” and a valid measure of frequency of contact with nature. Other recommendations focus on identifying the type of activities in nature that lead to pro-environmentalism and considering how socio-demographic characteristics may impact the way experiences in nature relate to EA and EB. The authors also call for more rigorous research designs and suggest the use of more representative surveys, more reliable measures of EB and experiences in nature, and longitudinal studies focusing on experiences in nature and pro-environmentalism (EA and EB) at different time-points.
Attention to these recommendations for future research can bring greater understanding to the best type of experiences in nature for promoting pro-environmentalism and for increasing people's contact with nature in their daily lives.
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