Children and Nature: A Research Evaluation for the Wildlife Trusts. (original) (raw)

2019, Sheldrake, R., Amos, R. & Reiss, M. J. (2019) Children and Nature: A Research Evaluation for the Wildlife Trusts. Newark: The Wildlife Trusts. Available at https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/2019-11/Children%20and%20Nature%20-%20UCL%20and%20The%20Wildlife%20Trusts%20Full%20Report.pdf

This study looked at the impact of Wildlife Trust events that involved children learning about nature while out of doors. The research surveyed 451 children before and after they undertook Wildlife Trust events, and also undertook observations of and interviews with 199 of the children, 17 of their teachers, and 17 Wildlife Trust practitioners delivering the events. The quantitative analysis accounted for children having different characteristics (such as gender and age), undertaking different Wildlife Trust events, having different initial levels of engagement with nature-related aspects of life (such as spending time outdoors in nature or reading books about nature), and having different initial levels of well-being, nature connection, and pro-environmental values. Increases were revealed over time for the children’s subjective well-being, nature connection, and pro-environmental values. These findings were supported through the children’s reflections on their own experiences, and through the observations and interviews. Children’s enjoyment levels were seen to be high; their motivation and engagement were high; and they exhibited curiosity, active observation, and engagement with nature.