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Research Library
Welcome to our new collaborative research library!
Funded by the Pisces Foundation with support from ee360
Looking for research about environmental literacy, the benefits of connecting to nature, fostering environmental behaviors, and more? You’ve come to the right spot! This database is a collaboration between the North American Association for Environmental Education and the Children & Nature Network, with generous support from the Pisces Foundation and ee360. It combines research for the field of environmental education and the movement to connect children and nature, and includes multiple ways to search for articles, syntheses, and research summaries. An exciting element of this database is that one of the search options aligns with the same five broad search categories (education, conservation, health, social justice, human development) used by the funding community so that researchers, practitioners, and funders alike can use the same uber taxonomy to find what they’re looking for. Learn more >
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Search Results
How can we mitigate against increasing biophobia among children during the extinction of experience?
The loss of direct interactions between humans and nature could result in more negative attitudes towards the natural world, yet there may be ways to counteract this outcome
Citation:
. (2020). How can we mitigate against increasing biophobia among children during the extinction of experience?. Biological Conservation, 242.
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“Lie in the grass, the soft grass”: Relaxation accounts of young children attending childcare
Young children choose nature to relax
Citation:
. (2020). “Lie in the grass, the soft grass”: Relaxation accounts of young children attending childcare. Children and Youth Services Review, 109. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104722
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3-Dimensional nature-based therapeutics in pediatric patients with total pancreatectomy and isletauto-transplant
Children using a virtual reality device for nature-based therapy after extensive surgical procedures reported a decrease in pain, anxiety, and nausea
Citation:
. (2020). 3-Dimensional nature-based therapeutics in pediatric patients with total pancreatectomy and isletauto-transplant. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 48. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102249
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Toward a social ecology of prosociality: Why, when, and where nature enhances social connection
Nature exposure can enhance social connections
Citation:
. (2020). Toward a social ecology of prosociality: Why, when, and where nature enhances social connection. Current Opinion in Psychology, 32, 27-31. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.06.016
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Bird feeders increase connection to nature in parents but not in their children
Bird feeders may be an effective tool for promoting connection to nature, but in parents more than children
Citation:
. (2020). Bird feeders increase connection to nature in parents but not in their children. Ecopsychology, 12(1), 44-53. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/eco.2019.0036
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Associations between pro-environmental behaviour and neighbourhood nature, nature visit frequency and nature appreciation: Evidence from a nationally representative survey in England
Improving access to and contact with nature may promote pro-environmental behavior
Citation:
. (2020). Associations between pro-environmental behaviour and neighbourhood nature, nature visit frequency and nature appreciation: Evidence from a nationally representative survey in England. Environment International, 136. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105441
Source
Minimum time dose in nature to positively impact the mental health of college-aged students, and how to measure it: A scoping review
College-age individuals experience mental health benefits after spending as little as 10-20 minutes in nature
Citation:
. (2020). Minimum time dose in nature to positively impact the mental health of college-aged students, and how to measure it: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02942
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Children’s education in ‘good’ nature: Perceptions of activities in nature spaces in mobile preschools
The "good" education in nature seems to mean different things for different children in some mobile preschools
Citation:
. (2020). Children’s education in ‘good’ nature: Perceptions of activities in nature spaces in mobile preschools. Global Studies of Childhood. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2043610619900519
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A scoping review of the impact on children of the built environment design characteristics of healing spaces
Nature-related elements in healthcare facilities can promote children’s health and well-being
Citation:
. (2020). A scoping review of the impact on children of the built environment design characteristics of healing spaces. Health Environments Research & Design Journal. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1937586720903845
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An analysis of the educational and health-related benefits of nature-based environmental education in low-income Black and Hispanic children
Nature-based environmental education programs may improve health-related quality of life and STEM capacity in low-income Black and Hispanic youth
Citation:
. (2020). An analysis of the educational and health-related benefits of nature-based environmental education in low-income Black and Hispanic children. Health Equity, 4(1), 198-210. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/heq.2019.0118
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The association of knowledge, attitudes and access with park use before and after a park-prescription intervention for low-income families in the U.S.
Knowing where to go, valuing nature, and having a better understanding of time and money resources may increase the likelihood of families visiting a park
Citation:
. (2020). The association of knowledge, attitudes and access with park use before and after a park-prescription intervention for low-income families in the U.S. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030701
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A study of the experiences of children aged 7-11 taking part in mindful approaches in local nature reserves
Mindfulness in nature could promote transcendent and holistic understandings consistent with indigenous cultures’ beliefs
Citation:
. (2020). A study of the experiences of children aged 7-11 taking part in mindful approaches in local nature reserves. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2020.1736110
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Psychological benefits of a biodiversity-focussed outdoor learning program for primary school children
Making outdoor learning a regular part of school curricula could be an inexpensive way to improve children's psychological wellbeing
Citation:
. (2020). Psychological benefits of a biodiversity-focussed outdoor learning program for primary school children. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 67. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.101381
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Children’s neighbourhood physical environment and early development: An individual child level linked data study
Individual child level assessments find a link between neighborhood physical environment and early child development
Citation:
. (2020). Children’s neighbourhood physical environment and early development: An individual child level linked data study. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech-2019-212686
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The hidden value of in-between spaces for children’s self-directed play within outdoor school environments
In-between spaces on school grounds support self-directed play
Citation:
. (2020). The hidden value of in-between spaces for children’s self-directed play within outdoor school environments. Landscape and Urban Planning, 194. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103683
Source
Effect of greenness on asthma in children: A systematic review
Greenness may help protect children from asthma by moderating factors contributing to this highly prevalent childhood respiratory disease
Citation:
. (2020). Effect of greenness on asthma in children: A systematic review. Public Health Nursing. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/phn.12701
Source
Nature Rx: Reemergence of Pediatric Nature-Based Therapeutic Programs From the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries
Current nature prescription programs would do well to heed lessons from pediatric nature-based therapeutic programs from the past
Citation:
. (2019). Nature Rx: Reemergence of Pediatric Nature-Based Therapeutic Programs From the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries. American Journal of Public Health. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305204
Source
Two-year changes in neighborhood juvenile arrests after implementation of an afterschool park-based mental health promotion program in Miami-Dade County, Florida, 2015-2017
Mental health and youth development program in parks may have the potential to prevent violence among at-risk youths
Citation:
. (2019). Two-year changes in neighborhood juvenile arrests after implementation of an afterschool park-based mental health promotion program in Miami-Dade County, Florida, 2015-2017. American Journal of Public Health. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2019.305050
Source
Assessing the effectiveness of a community food security project for curriculum development
Community gardening program may reduce food insecurity and improve health
Citation:
. (2019). Assessing the effectiveness of a community food security project for curriculum development. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 18(2), 128 - 139. presented at the 2019/04/03/. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2018.1445567
Source
Construction and validation of a Survey to measure perceptions of snakes
Perception of snakes effectively measured through attitude and behavior survey
Citation:
. (2019). Construction and validation of a Survey to measure perceptions of snakes. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 18(2), 140 - 153. presented at the 2019/04/03/. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2018.1445568
Source
Love or Loss: Effective message framing to promote environmental conservation
Positive digital messaging may promote more support of conservation organizations
Citation:
. (2019). Love or Loss: Effective message framing to promote environmental conservation. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 18(3), 252 - 265. presented at the 2019/07/03/. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2018.1456380
Source
Lower public concern for biodiversity than for wilderness, natural places, charismatic megafauna and/or habitats
Addressing gaps in biodiversity knowledge and improving awareness
Citation:
. (2019). Lower public concern for biodiversity than for wilderness, natural places, charismatic megafauna and/or habitats. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 18(1), 79 - 90. presented at the 2019/01/02/. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2018.1434025
Source
The impact of subtle anthropomorphism on gender differences in learning conservation ecology in Indonesian school children
Subtle anthropomorphism can be effectively used to teach children about conservation ecology
Citation:
. (2019). The impact of subtle anthropomorphism on gender differences in learning conservation ecology in Indonesian school children. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 18(1), 13 - 24. presented at the 2019/01/02/. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2018.1427011
Source
The overlooked role of academic environmental organizations in addressing environmental education issues
Editorial: Academic environmental organizations may fill critical need for environmental education at universities
Citation:
. (2019). The overlooked role of academic environmental organizations in addressing environmental education issues. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 18(1), 91 - 94. presented at the 2019/01/02/. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2018.1435321
Source
Young people and greenhouse gas emissions at music festivals
Music Festivals as Venues for Peer Environmental Education
Citation:
. (2019). Young people and greenhouse gas emissions at music festivals. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 18(2), 166 - 178. presented at the 2019/04/03/. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2018.1448310
Source
Connection to the land as a youth-identified social determinant of Indigenous Peoples' health
First Nation youth identify connection to the land as an essential determinant of Indigenous Peoples’ health
Citation:
. (2019). Connection to the land as a youth-identified social determinant of Indigenous Peoples' health. BMC Public Health, 19. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6383-8
Source
Neighborhood green spaces, facilities and population density as predictors of activity participation among 8-year-olds: A cross-sectional GIS study based on the Norwegian mother and child cohort study
Access to neighborhood parks and green space is linked to higher activity levels in children in Norway
Citation:
. (2019). Neighborhood green spaces, facilities and population density as predictors of activity participation among 8-year-olds: A cross-sectional GIS study based on the Norwegian mother and child cohort study. BMC Public Health, 19. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7795-9
Source
Physical activity, screen time, and outdoor learning environment practices and policy implementation: A cross sectional study of Texas child care centers
Childcare centers have room to improve in physical activity, screen time and outdoor learning environment policies and practices
Citation:
. (2019). Physical activity, screen time, and outdoor learning environment practices and policy implementation: A cross sectional study of Texas child care centers. BMC Public Health, 19. doi:http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6588-5
Source
Learning while playing: Children's Forest School experiences in the UK
The blending of Forest School with formal education can promote skills not typically addressed in a classroom-only setting
Citation:
. (2019). Learning while playing: Children's Forest School experiences in the UK. British Educational Research Journal, 45(1), 21-40. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/berj.3491
Source
Risk factors associated with myopia in schoolchildren in Ireland
More time outdoors is positively linked to eye health in children
Citation:
. (2019). Risk factors associated with myopia in schoolchildren in Ireland. British Journal of Opthalmology. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-313325
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Client perspectives on wilderness therapy as a component of adolescent residential treatment for problematic substance use and mental health issues
A clinical model of wilderness therapy includes three major factors: wilderness, physical self and psychosocial self.
Citation:
. (2019). Client perspectives on wilderness therapy as a component of adolescent residential treatment for problematic substance use and mental health issues. Children and Youth Services Review, 105. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104450
Source
Childhood collecting in nature: Quality experience in important places
Childhood collecting of items from nature in specific places may promote place attachment and long-term environmental connectedness
Citation:
. (2019). Childhood collecting in nature: Quality experience in important places. Children's Geographies, 17(1), 118-131. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2018.1463431
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Children's out-of-home leisure activities: Changes during the last decade in Norway
Norwegian children spend more time in organized activities and less in unsupervised outdoor play, but some children spend more time in both
Citation:
. (2019). Children's out-of-home leisure activities: Changes during the last decade in Norway. Children's Geographies, 17(3), 347-360. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2018.1510114
Source
Engaging with nature: Nature affords well-being for families and young people in Finland
Nature affords well-being benefits for families and young people in Finland
Citation:
. (2019). Engaging with nature: Nature affords well-being for families and young people in Finland. Children's Geographies. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2019.1685076
Source
Muddy knees and muddy needs: Parents perceptions of outdoor learning
Parents and teachers have different ideas about the value of outdoor learning
Citation:
. (2019). Muddy knees and muddy needs: Parents perceptions of outdoor learning. Children's Geographies. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2019.1694637
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Playing, parenting and family leisure in parks: Exploring emotional geographies of families in Guangzhou Children’s Park, China
Family leisure activity in a park provides space and time for strengthening family bonds and for enhancing self-satisfaction and happiness
Citation:
. (2019). Playing, parenting and family leisure in parks: Exploring emotional geographies of families in Guangzhou Children’s Park, China. Children's Geographies. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2019.1676879
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Rewilding education? Exploring an imagined and experienced outdoor learning space
Transforming a school’s outdoor space can influence and shift its practices and culture
Citation:
. (2019). Rewilding education? Exploring an imagined and experienced outdoor learning space. Children's Geographies. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2019.1673880
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Young children's outdoor refuges: Movements and (dis)entanglements
Young people look to outdoor refuges as a way to deal with pressures in their lives
Citation:
. (2019). Young children's outdoor refuges: Movements and (dis)entanglements. Children's Geographies, 17(4), 401-412. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2018.1529860
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"Fun, novel, safe, and inclusive": Children's design recommendations for playgrounds for all abilities
Children’s recommendations for making playgrounds accessible and attractive to children with different abilities include the provision of a natural area
Citation:
. (2019). "Fun, novel, safe, and inclusive": Children's design recommendations for playgrounds for all abilities. Children, Youth and Environments, 29(1), 105-115.
Source
Assessing nature connection and wellbeing during an experiential environmental program
Experiential nature programs may be effective in promoting both the psychological wellbeing and nature connectedness of children
Citation:
. (2019). Assessing nature connection and wellbeing during an experiential environmental program. Children, Youth and Environments, 29(2), 92-107. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.29.2.0092
Source
Myopia: Is the nature-nurture debate finally over?
Increased time outdoors may help protect children from developing myopia
Citation:
. (2019). Myopia: Is the nature-nurture debate finally over?. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 102(1), 3-17. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cxo.12845
Source
Equine assisted activities and therapies in children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and a meta-analysis
Equine assisted activities and therapies may be a useful form of treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder
Citation:
. (2019). Equine assisted activities and therapies in children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and a meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 42, 104-113. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.11.004
Source
Preschool children's knowledge about the environmental impact of various modes of transport
Swedish preschool children are aware of the environmental impact of different modes of transportation
Citation:
. (2019). Preschool children's knowledge about the environmental impact of various modes of transport. Early Child Development and Care, 189(3), 376-391. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2017.1324433
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Childhood nature experiences and adulthood environmental preferences
Direct nature experiences during childhood are associated with pro-environmental preferences during adulthood
Citation:
. (2019). Childhood nature experiences and adulthood environmental preferences. Ecological Economics, 156, 48-56. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.09.011
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Greenspace spatial characteristics and human health in an urban environment: An epidemiological study using landscape metrics in Sheffield, UK
Greenspace characteristics linked with human health include water cover, diversity of trees, and large greenspace patches interspersed with the built environment
Citation:
. (2019). Greenspace spatial characteristics and human health in an urban environment: An epidemiological study using landscape metrics in Sheffield, UK. Ecological Indicators, 106. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105464
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Ecospirituality: A scale to measure an individual's reverential respect for the environment
A newly-developed instrument measures the spiritual component of one’s relationship with nature
Citation:
. (2019). Ecospirituality: A scale to measure an individual's reverential respect for the environment. Ecopsychology. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/eco.2018.0065
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Our shared relationship with land and water: Perspectives from the Mayangna and the Anishinaabe
Indigenous perspectives can help restore and protect sacred bonds between humans and the rest of the natural world
Citation:
. (2019). Our shared relationship with land and water: Perspectives from the Mayangna and the Anishinaabe. Ecopsychology, 11(3), 191-198. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/eco.2019.0001
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Strengthening animal-human relationships as a doorway to Indigenous holistic wellness
Animal-human relationship stories attest to the important role animals play in the holistic health of Indigenous peoples
Citation:
. (2019). Strengthening animal-human relationships as a doorway to Indigenous holistic wellness. Ecopsychology. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/eco.2019.0003
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Utilising place-based learning through local contexts to develop agents of change in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability
Place-based learning can help young children develop a sustainability perspective
Citation:
. (2019). Utilising place-based learning through local contexts to develop agents of change in Early Childhood Education for Sustainability. Education 3-13, 47(8), 983-997. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2018.1551413
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Can an outdoor learning environment improve children’s academic attainment? A quasi-experimental mixed methods study in Bangladesh
Outdoor learning can enhance the academic achievement of students in developing countries
Citation:
. (2019). Can an outdoor learning environment improve children’s academic attainment? A quasi-experimental mixed methods study in Bangladesh. Environment and Behavior. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916519860868
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