Many studies suggest that nature experiences and connection to nature in childhood are vital to pro-environmental behaviors in adulthood. The link between time in nature and connectedness to nature is often explored retrospectively by asking adults to recall their childhood nature experiences. Studies taking this approach have documented significant relationships between childhood nature experience and ecologically conscious behavior later in life. These findings underscore the importance of ample time in nature during childhood. However, there are nuances which suggest various factors may result in individual variation. 

People with more nature experiences are more likely to protect it

A review of the literature aimed to test whether existing research shows an association between nature experiences and pro-environmental behavior. Review of twelve studies, mostly conducted in North America and Europe, indicated that people with more personal contact with nature are more likely to engage in activities or behaviors that support and protect it. Pathways to pro-environmental behaviors may occur through emotional affinity with nature, awareness of environmental decline, or increased altruistic and pro-social behaviors.
Soga & Gaston, 2024. Do people who experience more nature act more to protect it? A meta-analysis.
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Childhood exposure to blue space may support pro-environmental behaviors in adulthood

This study investigated the relationship between childhood experiences with inland blue space (rivers, lakes, and coastlines) and pro-environmental behaviors later as adults. Surveys completed by 2,370 adults in Austria measured recalled blue space exposure during childhood, as well as nature connectedness and pro-environmental behaviors in adulthood. Analysis found that adults who reported more childhood blue space exposure also reported significantly higher levels of pro-environmental behaviors. Nature connectedness and frequent visits to nature in adulthood may also contribute to this association.
Stehl et al., 2024. From childhood blue space exposure to adult environmentalism: The role of nature connectedness and nature contact.
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Childhood time in nature is linked to pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors

A review of 67 articles examined how childhood time in nature leads to deeper appreciation of connectedness to nature and greater pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors. Individual studies in this review found that historical, cultural, and racial factors predict variations in development of nature-related attitudes, values, and behaviors. For example, interestingly, findings suggest that rural residence or other conditions of direct dependence on the natural environment may result in more negative feelings toward nature. Overall, the review concluded that time in nature, regardless of environmental quality, supports increased values for nature, which motivate pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors.
DeVille et al., 2021. Time spent in nature is associated with increased pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors.
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Rural children in Mexico hold a stronger sense of connection to nature and behave in a more pro-environmental way than urban children

The relationship between Mexican children’s place of residence and self-reported pro-environmental behavior was examined by researchers. Surveys completed by 200 rural and 200 urban children (age 9-12) showed that children living in rural areas had higher connection to nature scores and reported more environmental behaviors than those living in urban areas. The relationship between place of residence and environmental behaviors is likely explained by rural children’s closer contact with nature. Findings call attention to the importance of nature exposure.
Duron-Ramos et al., 2020. The role of urban/rural environments on Mexican children’s connection to nature and pro-environmental behavior.
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An affective relationship with nature appears to be a central element of nature connectedness. Research confirms that emotional bonds with nature that are formed during childhood offer a pathway for inspiring future environmental action in adulthood. While cognitive understanding and environmental knowledge may influence behaviors, current investigations have established stronger connections between emotional feelings for nature and increased care of nature through pro-environmental behaviors.

The emotional bond between a child and nature is a central influence on future environmental behaviors

Research conducted in the Czech Republic with 370 adults utilized questionnaires to explore the factors that impact the relationship between childhood nature experience and engagement in pro-environmental behaviors later in life. The study confirmed a direct connection between childhood nature experiences and adult pro-environmental behavior. Emotional connection with nature was found to be a central influence within this relationship, while environmental knowledge and time in nature as an adult were shown to have little impact.
Křepelková, Krajhanzl & Kroufek, 2020. The influence of interaction with nature in childhood on future pro-environmental behavior. 
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Children’s emotional connection to nature and environmental self-identities are central to their environmental behaviors

An Australian study of 1,037 urban children who ranged in age from 8 to 14 years aimed to explore how nature connectedness and environmental self-identity – the perception of self as someone who acts in an ecologically conscious manner – interact as predictors of environmental behaviors. Analysis of questionnaire data revealed that emotional connection with nature and environmental self-identity are equally important in inspiring environmentally-responsible behaviors.
Keith et al., 2022. Environmental self-identity partially mediates the effects of exposure and connection to nature on urban children’s conservation behaviours.
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Appreciative outdoor activities during childhood promote connection to nature and environmental citizenship behaviors

This study aimed to clarify the connection between three different types of outdoor activities (appreciative, consumptive, and abusive) and pro-environmental behaviors. Surveys completed by 140 high school students in Texas showed that only appreciative activities, which aim to enjoy the natural environment without altering it, were positively related to students’ connection to nature and environmental citizenship behaviors. Results highlight the importance of increasing activities aimed at appreciating and enjoying nature to encourage pro-environmental behaviors later in life.
Hoover, 2021. Children in nature: Exploring the relationship between childhood outdoor experience and environmental stewardship.
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Connection to nature, though closely tied to nature exposure, is a complex process to which many factors likely contribute. It is also probable that multiple pathways influence the adoption of increased environmental responsibility. While ample nature contact provides an avenue to connectedness for children with access to nearby nature, it is important to identify other possible drivers of nature connectedness for children who lack access to nature. Additionally, in some cases, it is a concern for human well-being and social justice, not nature connectedness, that drives environmental action, particularly for those engaged in work focused on climate change.

Different types of nature experiences may have different effects on connectedness with nature

This literature review aimed to clarify the interplay between childhood nature experiences, connectedness with nature, and motivations to act for nature. Analysis of 122 articles from mostly Western countries confirmed that childhood nature experiences contribute to nature connectedness. Some studies indicated that self-directed experiences in everyday nature, reflective experiences, and sensory-rich environments are impactful forms of nature contact. Overall, findings suggest that experiences in nature, and identification with nature, serve as pathways for promoting connectedness with nature.
van Heel, van den Born & Aarts, 2023. Nature experiences in childhood as a driver of connectedness with nature and action for nature: A review.
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A “pathways to nature connectedness” framework fosters closer human-nature relationships

This paper introduces the idea that a “pathways to nature connectedness” approach could be helpful in improving human-nature relationships. Earlier research had identified five pathways to nature connectedness. These pathways are types of relationships that people can have with nature, including meaning (cultural relationships with nature), emotion (feelings for nature), contact (sensory interaction with nature), beauty (noticing beauty of nature) and compassion (care for nature). Active engagement with nature through the pathways can be leveraged to restore nature connectedness and the associated benefits of human well-being and pro-nature behaviors on a large, societal scale.
Richardson et al., 2020. Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: A leverage points perspective. 
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A variety of approaches may be beneficial for fostering children’s interest in the natural world

The relationship between children’s environmental attitudes, empathy for nature, interest in learning about nature, and aspirations for nature-focused careers was explored by researchers. Questionnaire responses from 679 children (age 7-10) in England revealed that appreciation of nature and affinities towards animals predicted children’s interest in learning about nature, which predicted interest in nature careers. Views about nature were also linked to other factors, such as enjoyment of school, suggesting there may be many ways to promote environmental interest.
Sheldrake & Reiss, 2023. Primary children’s views about appreciating, supporting, and learning about nature.
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School green space supports children’s pro-environmental behavior

A study in China considered how school green spaces impact students’ environmental attitudes and behaviors. Survey responses collected from 1,597 fifth graders indicated that students’ perceptions of the school environment are related to the quality of landscape features, such as plant diversity and landscape richness. Students’ perception of the school environment had a positive influence on attitudes concerning the preservation of nature, which were linked to significant increases in pro-environmental behaviors.
Liu & Chen, 2021. Green spaces in Chinese schools enhance children’s environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behavior. 
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Climate change educators cite social justice issues as more motivating for action than concerns about the non-human environment

A survey of 85 people involved in climate change education and mitigation, primarily in the United Kingdom, found that nature-related experiences – while important influences for some respondents — were not a major formative influence for the sample as a whole. Social justice concerns were found to be more motivating for action than concerns about the non-human environment. The study suggests that concern about people most affected by climate change may offer an alternative path to environmental action.
Howell & Allen, 2019. Significant life experiences, motivations and values of climate change educators.
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Though explored in the research to a lesser extent, the influence of family, social networks and community likely also play a role in shaping pro-environmental behaviors. Studies have shown, for example, that children can positively influence their parents’ sustainability behaviors and that early socialization contexts may also favor the adoption of pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors in adolescence. Additionally, there is also evidence linking pro-environmental behaviors to positive outcomes such as happiness and well-being.

Playgroups inspire pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors for both children and their caregivers

Twenty parents of preschoolers in Australia participated in a study to explore how a facilitated playgroup influenced environmental attitudes and behaviors. Parents indicated that their child demonstrated more caring attitudes towards nature, practiced sustainability, and influenced adults in the home to adhere to environmental behaviors. Parents reported their own heightened awareness of the importance of pro-environmental behavior. Playgroups may offer an effective co-learning approach in promoting environmental responsibility with the potential to reverse traditional intergenerational influence.
Mintoff et al., 2023. The effectiveness of a community-based playgroup in inspiring positive changes in the environmental attitudes and behaviours of children and their parents: A qualitative case study. 
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Youth participation in organized cultural activities may promote the development of pro‐environmental attitudes and behaviors later in life

Research in Canada examined whether participation in different types of organized activities during adolescence is associated with more frequent pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors in adulthood. Questionnaires were completed ten times over a 17-year period by 321 participants from age 14-30. Results indicate that youth participation in cultural activities, such as religious, artistic, and scientific activities, predicted both pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors; while sports and prosocial activities (e.g., volunteering, youth clubs) did not.
Davignon, Poulin & Denault, 2023. Organized activities in adolescence and pro-environmental behaviors in adulthood: The mediating role of pro-environmental attitudes.
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Children’s connectedness to nature and sustainable behaviors promote happiness

Nearly 300 children (age 9-12) in Mexico completed a questionnaire to assess connectedness to nature, sustainable behaviors, and happiness. Results showed that children who are very connected to nature tend to help other people and engage in acts of altruism. They also actively cared for the environment through their behaviors, were more likely to believe in equality, and had high happiness scores. Findings suggest that a commitment to the natural environment positively impacts people’s well-being.
Barrera-Hernandez et al., 2020. Connectedness to nature: Its impact on sustainable behaviors and happiness in children. 
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