Associations between childhood family-based nature activities and family relationship quality in emerging in adulthood

Family engagement in outdoor activities may promote lasting positive relationships

Izenstark, D., Ravindran, N., (2023). Associations between childhood family-based nature activities and family relationship quality in emerging in adulthood. Family Relations, 72, 1276–1291.

Recess quality and social and behavioral health in elementary school students

Recess quality impacts social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes

Massey, W. V., Thalken, J., Szarabajko, A., Neilson, L., Geldhof, J., (2021). Recess quality and social and behavioral health in elementary school students. Journal of School Health, 91(9), 730-740.

How challenges and peers contribute to social-emotional learning in outdoor adventure education programs

Experiencing challenge, while being supported by peers, may facilitate social-emotional learning in outdoor adventure education programs

Orson, C. N., McGovern, G., Larson, R. W., (2020). How challenges and peers contribute to social-emotional learning in outdoor adventure education programs. Journal of Adolescence, 81, 7-18.

Effects of a school-based garden program on academic performance: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Participation in a garden-based learning intervention improved fourth graders’ standardized reading test scores

Davis, J. N., Nikah, K., Landry, M, J,, Vandyousefi, S., Ghaddar, R., Jeans, M., Cooper, M. H., Martin, B., Waugh, L., Sharma, S. V., van den Berg, A. E., (2023). Effects of a school-based garden program on academic performance: A cluster randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 123(4), 637-642.

The value of outdoor environmental education programs for girls and youth of color: cultivating positive dispositions toward science and the environment

Girls and youth of color experienced the largest gains in their dispositions toward science and the environment through participation in outdoor environmental education

Collins, M. A., Romero, V. F., Young, A., Dorph, R., Foreman, J., Strang, C., Pande, A., Laina, V., (2025). The value of outdoor environmental education programs for girls and youth of color: cultivating positive dispositions toward science and the environment. Environmental Education Research

Neighborhood environments underpin screen time intervention success in children: Evidence from a study of greenspace and community programming across 130 US communities

Equitable access to greenspace is an important consideration for interventions aiming to reduce children’s screen time

Lang, I., Fischer, A. L., Antonakos, C. L., Miller, S. S., Hasson, R. E., Pate, R. R., Collie-Akers, V. L., Colabianchi, N., (2024). Neighborhood environments underpin screen time intervention success in children: Evidence from a study of greenspace and community programming across 130 US communities. Health and Place, 89

Screen time and mental health in college students: Time in nature as a protective factor

Green time moderates negative mental health effects of screen time for college students

Deyo, A., Wallace, J., Kidwell, K. M., (2024). Screen time and mental health in college students: Time in nature as a protective factor. Journal of American College Health, 72(8), 3025-3032.

Seeing the forest through the trees: at the intersection of Forest Kindergartens and art-based environmental education

Art-based environmental education can provide empowering opportunities for children to make their own ecological discoveries

Hunter-Doniger, T., (2021). Seeing the forest through the trees: at the intersection of Forest Kindergartens and art-based environmental education. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 21(3), 217-229.

Effects of an art-based environmental education camp program on the environmental attitudes and awareness of diverse youth

At worst, arts-based environmental education is just as good as conventional environmental education

Staples, A. F., Larson, L. R., Worsley, T., Green, G. T., Carroll, J. P., (2019). Effects of an art-based environmental education camp program on the environmental attitudes and awareness of diverse youth. The Journal of Environmental Education, 50(3), 208-222 .

Growing sustainable therapeutic third spaces – a therapeutic sensory garden’s impact on university student self-reported quality of life and affect

A small study finds promise in placing therapeutic sensory gardens on college campuses

Delbert, T., Stepansky, K., Bucey, J. C., Goodman-Schiller, D., (2024). Growing sustainable therapeutic third spaces – a therapeutic sensory garden’s impact on university student self-reported quality of life and affect. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education

Impact of youth education on green stormwater infrastructure recommendations to increase equity and resilience in marginalized communities

Youth involvement in infrastructure planning in response to climate change can benefit both the youth and the community

Reckner, M., Tien, I., Smith, S., Omunga, P., Alemdar, M., Hyde, A., (2024). Impact of youth education on green stormwater infrastructure recommendations to increase equity and resilience in marginalized communities. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 150(9)

Seeing awe: How children perceive awe-inspiring visual experiences

Sensitivity toward awe-inspiring visual experiences is present early in life

O'bi, A., Yang, F., (2024). Seeing awe: How children perceive awe-inspiring visual experiences. Child Development, 95, 1271–1286.

Investigating spatial heterogeneity of park inequity using three access measures: A case study in Hartford, Connecticut

An unbiased park equity assessment needs to consider multiple park access dimensions

Zhang, P., Park, S., (2023). Investigating spatial heterogeneity of park inequity using three access measures: A case study in Hartford, Connecticut. Applied Geography, 151

Project nature: Promoting outdoor physical activity in children via primary care

Involving primary care providers may be one way to promote children’s outdoor physical activity

Griffin, G. M., Nieto, C., Senturia, K., Brown, M., Garrett, K., Nguyen, E., Glassy, D., Kroshus, E., Tandon, P., (2024). Project nature: Promoting outdoor physical activity in children via primary care. BMC Primary Care, 25(68 )

Connection to nature boosts adolescents’ mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

Adolescent’s mental health can be strengthened through connection to nature

Jackson, S. B., Stevenson, K. T., Larson, L. R., Peterson, M. N., Seekamp, E., (2021). Connection to nature boosts adolescents’ mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability, 13(12297), 1-24 .

Walking in nature may improve affect but not cognition

Walking in nature improved affect, not cognition, for California undergraduates

Trammell, J., Harriger, J. A., Krumrei-Mancuso, E. J., (2024). Walking in nature may improve affect but not cognition. Frontiers, 18

Outdoor recreation experiences in youth with visual impairments: A qualitative inquiry

Youth with visual impairments need adapted support and special programming to safely participate in outdoor recreation activities

Lieberman, L. J., Haibach-Beach, P., Perreault, M., Stribing, A., (2023). Outdoor recreation experiences in youth with visual impairments: A qualitative inquiry. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 23(2), 170-183.

Connection to nature is associated with social-emotional learning of children

Children with a strong connection to nature have higher social emotional learning skills than those with a weaker connection to nature

Lanza, K., Alcazar, M., Chen, B., Kohl III, H. W., (2023). Connection to nature is associated with social-emotional learning of children. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 4

Heat-resilient schoolyards: Relations between temperature, shade, and physical activity of children during recess

More tree canopy in children’s play area is associated with more moderate to vigorous physical activity

Lanza, K., Alcazar, M., Durand, C. P., Salvo, D., Villa, U., Kohl III, H. W., (2023). Heat-resilient schoolyards: Relations between temperature, shade, and physical activity of children during recess. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 20, 134-141.

School greenspace is associated with enhanced benefits of academic interventions on annual reading improvement for children of color in California

School greenspace may bolster the effects of instructional interventions for students with high academic support needs

Rahai, R., Wells, N. M., Evans, G. W., (2023). School greenspace is associated with enhanced benefits of academic interventions on annual reading improvement for children of color in California. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 83

Staff perspectives on the targeted incorporation of nature-based interventions for children and youth at a residential treatment facility

Nature-based interventions are most effective when alignment of intervention qualities, context and the child’s needs are considered in choosing therapeutic approaches

Gandenberger, J., Motiff, M., Flynn, E., Morris, K. N., (2022). Staff perspectives on the targeted incorporation of nature-based interventions for children and youth at a residential treatment facility. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 40(1), 67-86.

A Framework for Pediatric Health Care Providers to Promote Active Play in Nature for Children

Pediatric health care providers can play a larger role in encouraging play in nature to promote children’s health

Tandon, P.S., Hafferty, K., Kroshus, E., Angulo, A., Burton, M., Peyton, M., Senturia, K., (2022). A Framework for Pediatric Health Care Providers to Promote Active Play in Nature for Children. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 13, 1-9.

Diversity in outdoor education: Discrepancies in SEL across a school overnight program

Implicit bias may influence assessment results of SEL in a multicultural group of students

Germinaro, K., Jones, J. M., (2021). Diversity in outdoor education: Discrepancies in SEL across a school overnight program. Journal of Experiential Education

Patterns of family-based nature activities across the early life course and their association with adulthood outdoor participation and preference

Frequency of family-based nature activities in childhood is related to more time outdoors and a preference for outdoor environments in early adulthood

Izenstark, D., Middaugh, E., (2022). Patterns of family-based nature activities across the early life course and their association with adulthood outdoor participation and preference. Journal of Leisure Research, 53(1), 4-26.

Growing North Minneapolis: Connecting youth and community through garden-based experiential learning

Youth valued the increased knowledge and social interaction benefits experienced through an urban garden-based program

Rogers, M., Livstrom, L., Roiger, B., Smith, A., (2019). Growing North Minneapolis: Connecting youth and community through garden-based experiential learning. HortTechnology, 30(1)

Cultivating social capital in diverse, low-income neighborhoods: The value of parks for parents with young children

High-quality parks and safe, walkable, built environments can enhance neighborhood social capital in low-income communities of color

Mullenbach, L. E., Larson, L. R., Floyd, M. F., Marquet, O., Huang, J., Alberico, C., Ogletree, S. S., Hipp, J. A., (2022). Cultivating social capital in diverse, low-income neighborhoods: The value of parks for parents with young children. Landscape and Urban Planning, 219

Equally green? Understanding the distribution of urban green infrastructure across student demographics in four public school districts in North Carolina, USA

Schools can help mitigate environmental injustices suffered by low-income, high minority communities by increasing greenness on their property

Zhang, Z., Martin, K. L., Stevenson, K. T., Yao, Y., (2021). Equally green? Understanding the distribution of urban green infrastructure across student demographics in four public school districts in North Carolina, USA. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 67

Everyday learning opportunities of young children with and without developmental disabilities or delays

Young children with disabilities have similar learning opportunities as typically developing peers

Dunst, C., (2020). Everyday learning opportunities of young children with and without developmental disabilities or delays. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 7(3), 23-41.

Exploring geographical, curricular, and demographic factors of nature use by children in urban schoolyards in Raleigh, NC, USA

Simply providing nature-rich areas in schoolyards cannot guarantee the use of natural spaces by children and teachers

Zhang, Z., Stevenson, K. T., Martin, K. L., (2021). Exploring geographical, curricular, and demographic factors of nature use by children in urban schoolyards in Raleigh, NC, USA. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 65

Increased exposure to nature reduces elementary students’ anxiety

A nature-based guidance program was effective at reducing anxiety among third grade students

Rıan, S. W., Coll, K. M., (2021). Increased exposure to nature reduces elementary students’ anxiety. Ecopsychology

Visitor access, use, and desired improvements in urban parks

Understanding urban park uses and evaluating visitor perspectives can help create more accessible, welcoming spaces

Talal, M. L., Santelmann, M. V., (2021). Visitor access, use, and desired improvements in urban parks. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

Exploring outdoor play: A mixed-methods study of the quality of preschool play environments and teacher perceptions of risky play

Limits to risky play at preschool include teachers’ reluctance, lack of affordances, and safety regulations

LeMasters, A. C., Vandermaas-Peeler, M., (2021). Exploring outdoor play: A mixed-methods study of the quality of preschool play environments and teacher perceptions of risky play. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

Examine the associations between perceived neighborhood conditions, physical activity, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Higher income US neighborhoods had more health-promoting features before the COVID-19 pandemic and more positive changes during the outbreak

Yang, Y., Xiang, X., (2021). Examine the associations between perceived neighborhood conditions, physical activity, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health & Place, 67

Using transformative learning theory to understand outdoor adventure education

Challenging activities, supportive relationships, and reflection facilitate transformative learning in outdoor adventure education

Meerts-Brandsma, L., Sibthorp, J., Rochelle, S., (2020). Using transformative learning theory to understand outdoor adventure education. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

From XS to XL urban nature: Examining access to different types of green space using a ‘just sustainabilities’ framework

Major U.S. cities have significantly less street greenery in racial/ethnic minority and low-income neighborhoods than other neighborhoods

Choi, D., Park, K., Rigolon, A., (2020). From XS to XL urban nature: Examining access to different types of green space using a ‘just sustainabilities’ framework. Sustainability, 12(6998)

The potential correlation between nature engagement in middle childhood years and college undergraduates' nature engagement, proenvironmental attitudes, and stress

Positive childhood experiences with nature can promote continued nature engagement and pro-environmental attitudes in adulthood

Sachs, N. A., Rakow, D. A., Shepley, M. M., Peditto, K., (2020). The potential correlation between nature engagement in middle childhood years and college undergraduates' nature engagement, proenvironmental attitudes, and stress. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-14.

Greening for academic achievement: Prioritizing what to plant and where

Trees on and near school grounds are positively linked to academic achievement of sixth-grade students

Kuo, M., Klein, S. E., Browning, M. H., Zaplatosch, J., (2021). Greening for academic achievement: Prioritizing what to plant and where. Landscape and Urban Planning, 206

How combinations of recreational activities predict connection to nature among youth

Solitary outdoor activities, reinforced by environmental socialization, may best promote connectedness to nature

Szczytko, R., Stevenson, K.T., Peterson, M.N., Bondell, H., (2020). How combinations of recreational activities predict connection to nature among youth. The Journal of Environmental Education

Impacts of urban landscapes on students' academic performance

Students' educational outcomes are linked to the level of green and blue spaces in the schools' attendance areas

Lin, M., Van Stan II, J. T., (2020). Impacts of urban landscapes on students' academic performance. Landscape and Urban Planning, 201

Early life exposure to green space and insulin resistance: An assessment from infancy to early adolescence

Exposure to greenspace during childhood may not have the protective effect on diabetes risk among adolescents as previously thought

Jimenez, M. P., Oken, E., Gold, D. R., Luttmann-Gibson, H., Requia, W. J., Rifas-Shiman, S.L., Gingras, V., Hivert, M.F., Rimm, E. B., James, P., (June, 2020). Early life exposure to green space and insulin resistance: An assessment from infancy to early adolescence. Environment International, 142

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

Sprague, N., Berrigan, D., Ekenga, C.C., (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.

The intersection of emotional and sociocognitive competencies with civic engagement in middle childhood and adolescence

Emotional and sociocognitive competencies are uniquely associated with different forms of civic engagement

Metzger, A., Alvis, L.M., Oosterhoff, B., Babskie, E., Syvertsen, A., Wray-Lake, L., (2018). The intersection of emotional and sociocognitive competencies with civic engagement in middle childhood and adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47, 1663-1683.

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

Hammond, R.L., (2020). Bird feeders increase connection to nature in parents but not in their children. Ecopsychology, 12(1), 44-53.

“And it made me feel good inside”: Initial evidence and future methods for evaluating nature school effectiveness

Different methods used to evaluate a nature education program highlight growth in cognitive, social, environmental, and physical domains

Volpe, M., Derr, V., Kim, S., (2019). “And it made me feel good inside”: Initial evidence and future methods for evaluating nature school effectiveness. Children, Youth and Environments, 29(2), 5-26.

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

Byrd-Williams, C.E., Dooley, E.E., Thi, C.A., Browning, C., Hoelscher, D.M., (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

San Francisco youth outdoor recreation intentions through themed messages

Urban youth identify "connecting with family and friends" as a primary motivator for recreating outdoors

Goldenberg, M., Schwab, K., Hendricks, W.W., Greenwood, J., Greenwood, B., Higgins, L., (2019). San Francisco youth outdoor recreation intentions through themed messages. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 11(3), 271-274.

Concepts and measures related to connected to nature: Similarities and differences

A review of concepts and measures related to connected to nature show similarities and differences

Tam, K-P, (2013). Concepts and measures related to connected to nature: Similarities and differences. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 34, 64-78.

Exploring the influence of neighborhood walkability on the frequency of use of greenspace

Neighborhood walkability factors are linked to more frequent use of urban greenspace

Zuniga-Teran, A.A., Stoker, P., Gimblett, R.H., Orr, B.J., Marsh, S.E., Guertin, D.P., Chalfoun, N.V., (2019). Exploring the influence of neighborhood walkability on the frequency of use of greenspace. Landscape and Urban Planning, 190

Nature-based education and kindergarten readiness: Nature-based and traditional preschoolers are equally prepared for kindergarten

Children in nature-based and traditional preschools are equally prepared for kindergarten

Cordiano, T.S., Lee, A., Wilt, J., Elszasz, A., Damour, L.K., Russ, S.W., (2019). Nature-based education and kindergarten readiness: Nature-based and traditional preschoolers are equally prepared for kindergarten. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 6(3), 18-36.

Impacts of outdoor environmental education on teacher reports of attention, behavior, and learning outcomes for students with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities

Students with special needs demonstrated longer attention spans and fewer disruptive behaviors while participating in outdoor learning activities

Szczytko, R., Carrier, S.J., Stevenson, K.T., (2018). Impacts of outdoor environmental education on teacher reports of attention, behavior, and learning outcomes for students with emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities. Frontiers in Psychology, 3