Outdoor experiences and sustainability

Positive role models and mentors have an important role to play in promoting pro-environmental behaviors

Prince, H.E., (2017). Outdoor experiences and sustainability. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 17(2), 161-171.

Companion animals and child/adolescent development: A systematic review of the evidence

Pet ownership may be beneficial to child and adolescent emotional, cognitive, behavioral, educational and social development

Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C,, Meints, K., Gee, N,, Westgarth, C., (2017). Companion animals and child/adolescent development: A systematic review of the evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3)

Exploring attitudes, perceived norms, and personal agency: Insights into theory-based messages to encourage park-based physical activity in low-income urban neighborhoods

Improved maintenance, marketing and messaging may promote physical activity in parks

Groshong, L., Wilhelm Stanis, S.A., Kaczynski, A.T., Hipp, A., Besenyi, G.M., (2017). Exploring attitudes, perceived norms, and personal agency: Insights into theory-based messages to encourage park-based physical activity in low-income urban neighborhoods. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 14(2), 108-116.

'Love honey, hate honey bees': Reviving biophilia of elementary school students through environmental education program

Integrating cognitive and emotional goals in environmental education program significantly improved affinity toward nature

Cho, Y., Lee, D., (2018). 'Love honey, hate honey bees': Reviving biophilia of elementary school students through environmental education program. Environmental Education Research, 24(3), 445-460.

Pedagogical school gardens as a Food and Nutrition Education strategy: Perception of parents and educators of their impact on children's diets

Children and families experience dietary benefits of school gardens

Garcia, M.T., Coelho, D.E.P., Bogus, C.M., (2017). Pedagogical school gardens as a Food and Nutrition Education strategy: Perception of parents and educators of their impact on children's diets. Demetra

Park use and physical activity among mostly low-to-middle income, minority parents and their children

Parks can support physical activity of ethnically and economically diverse families

Greer, A., Castrogivanni, B., Marcello, R., (2017). Park use and physical activity among mostly low-to-middle income, minority parents and their children. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 14(2), 83-88.

Active Families in the Great Outdoors: A program to promote family outdoor physical activity

Family-centered program increases outdoor physical activity

Flynn, J.I., Bassett, D.R., Fouts, H.N., Thompson, D.L., Coe, D.P., (2017). Active Families in the Great Outdoors: A program to promote family outdoor physical activity. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

The perception, management and performance of risk amongst Forest School educators

Forest School educators altered their risk management practices in response to competing conceptions of childhood and risk

Connolly, M., Haughton, C., (2017). The perception, management and performance of risk amongst Forest School educators. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 38(2), 105-124.

Eco-school evaluation beyond labels: The impact of environmental policy, didactics and nature at school on student outcomes

Active teaching methods, environmental education policy, and the presence and use of natural green elements impact eco-schools’ environmental education outcomes

Boeve-de Pauw, J., Van Petegem, P., (2018). Eco-school evaluation beyond labels: The impact of environmental policy, didactics and nature at school on student outcomes. Environmental Education Research, 24(9), 1250-1267.

Education for sustainable development, nature, and vernacular learning

Nurturing a sense of wonder, joy, and belonging in learners as they experience nature is vital to developing an ethic of care for the planet

Selby, D., (2017). Education for sustainable development, nature, and vernacular learning. CEPS Journal, 7(1), 9-27.

Plant knowledge in children who inhabit diverse socio ecological environments in northwestern Patagonia

Patagonian children’s plant knowledge varies along urban/rural lines, and is highly influenced by plants and plant-related activities encountered in their immediate environments

Eyssartier, C., Margutti, L., Lozada, M., (2017). Plant knowledge in children who inhabit diverse socio ecological environments in northwestern Patagonia. Journal of Ethnobiology, 37(1), 81-96.

Live green, think green: Sustainable school architecture and children's environmental attitudes and behaviors

Sustainable school design promotes students’ pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors

Tucker, R., Izadpanahi, P., (2017). Live green, think green: Sustainable school architecture and children's environmental attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 51, 209-216.

Green space benefits for health and well-being: A life-course approach to urban planning, design and management

Environmental health research highlights the importance of targeting green space interventions to meet the needs of multiple user groups

Douglas, O., Lennon, M., Scott, M., (2017). Green space benefits for health and well-being: A life-course approach to urban planning, design and management. Cities, 66, 53-62.

Knowledge of neighborhood nature is associated with strong sense of place among Milwaukee youth

Neighborhood nature may help create a strong sense of place in youth

Kroencke, R., Hormann, K., Heller, E., Bizub, J., Zetts, C., Beyer, K., (2015). Knowledge of neighborhood nature is associated with strong sense of place among Milwaukee youth. Children, Youth and Environments Quarterly, 25(3), 129-144.

Are young children's utterances affected by characteristics of their learning environments? A multiple case study

Preschool children use richer language in a natural environment than in indoor or outdoor classrooms

Richardson, T., Murray, J., (2017). Are young children's utterances affected by characteristics of their learning environments? A multiple case study. Early Child Development and Care, 187(3-4), 457-468.

Effects of childhood experience with nature on tolerance of urban residents toward hornets and wild boars in Japan

Childhood experience with nature influences later-life attitudes toward and tolerance for problem-causing wildlife in urban areas

Hosaka, T., Sugimoto, K., Numata, S., (2017). Effects of childhood experience with nature on tolerance of urban residents toward hornets and wild boars in Japan. PLOS ONE, 12(4)

Asthma trajectories in a population-based birth cohort. Impacts of air pollution and greenness

Prior findings of neighborhood greenness’s protective effect against asthma may not have considered differing asthma phenotypes

Sbihi, H., Koehoorn, M., Tamburic, L., Brauer, M., (2017). Asthma trajectories in a population-based birth cohort. Impacts of air pollution and greenness. American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine, 195(5), 607-613.

No-self, natural sustainability and education for sustainable development

Education based on natural sustainability highlights the non-dual relation between the self and the rest of the natural world

Wang, D-L., (2017). No-self, natural sustainability and education for sustainable development. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 49(5), 550-561.

Psychological park accessibility: A systematic literature review of perceptual components affecting park use

Assessing psychological factors affecting urban park use may be an effective approach to increasing use of existing parks

Park, K., (2017). Psychological park accessibility: A systematic literature review of perceptual components affecting park use. Landscape Research, 42(5), 508-520.

The meaning of participation in school ground greening: A study from project to everyday setting

Children’s participation in school ground greening planning influences functionality; participation in management phases results in student engagement and satisfaction

Jansson, M., Martensson, F., Gunnarsson, A., (2018). The meaning of participation in school ground greening: A study from project to everyday setting. Landscape Research, 43(1), 163-179.

Factors influencing children's use of urban green spaces

Children’s use of urban green spaces is strongly linked to parents’ attitudes and characteristics of the physical settings

Kaymaz, I., Oguz, D., Cengiz-Hergul, O.C., (2017). Factors influencing children's use of urban green spaces. Indoor and Built Environment

Evaluating a supported nature play programme, parents' perspectives

Nature play program provided families with enriched connections with each other and with nature, while also promoting the development and well-being of children and their parents

Ward, T., Goldingay, S., Parson, J., (2019). Evaluating a supported nature play programme, parents' perspectives. Early Child Development and Care, 189(2), 270-283.

Park attributes that encourage park visitation among adolescents: A conjoint analysis

Adolescents prefer parks with adventurous and challenging equipment and free of rubbish and graffiti

Veitch, J., Salmon, J., Deforche, B., Ghekiere, A., Van Cauwengerg, J., Bangay, S., Timperio, A., (2017). Park attributes that encourage park visitation among adolescents: A conjoint analysis. Landscape and Urban Planning, 161, 52-58.

Housing and neighborhood physical quality: Children's mental health and motivation

The psychological health of rural children is associated with housing quality but not with neighborhood conditions, including access to nature

Rollings, K.A., Wells, N. M., Evans, G.W., Bednarz, A., Yang, Y., (2017). Housing and neighborhood physical quality: Children's mental health and motivation. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 50, 17-23.

The contributions of familial and environmental factors to children's connection with nature and outdoor activities

Parental characteristics and attitudes predict children’s connection with nature and outdoor activities

Ahmetoglu, E., (2019). The contributions of familial and environmental factors to children's connection with nature and outdoor activities. Early Child Development and Care, 189(2), 233-243.

'If there's no sustainability our future will get wrecked': Exploring children's perspectives of sustainability

Children’s ideas about sustainability are developed through experiential, investigative, sensorial and place-oriented ways of learning

Green, M., (2017). 'If there's no sustainability our future will get wrecked': Exploring children's perspectives of sustainability. Childhood, 24(2), 151-167.

Going to the dogs: A quasi-experimental assessment of animal assisted therapy for children who have experienced abuse

Incorporating dogs in therapeutic approaches for children who have been sexually abused seems to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder symptomology

Signal, T., Taylor, N., Prentice, K., McDade,M., Burke, K.J., (2017). Going to the dogs: A quasi-experimental assessment of animal assisted therapy for children who have experienced abuse. Applied Developmental Science, 21(2), 81-93.

Identifying and characterizing risky play in the age one-to-three years

The existing definition and characteristics of risky play may not be useful for one-year-olds

Kleppe, R., Melhuish, E., Sandseter, E.B.H., (2017). Identifying and characterizing risky play in the age one-to-three years. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 25(3), 370-385.

Down by the Bay

The resources of a nature center help second-graders learn more in-depth information about their local environment

Allison, E., Tunks, K., Hardman, K., (2017). Down by the Bay. Science and Children, 54(7), 29-33.

Cultural transmission at nature kindergartens: Foraging as a key ingredient

Educational benefits of foraging include the transmission of culture and strengthening children’s connection with nature

Nugent, C., Beames, S., (2015). Cultural transmission at nature kindergartens: Foraging as a key ingredient. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, 20, 78-91.

'I want to bring him from the aeroplane to here': The meaning of animals to children of refugee or migrant backgrounds resettled in Australia

Children of refugee or migrant backgrounds express a sense of loss with regard to animals and find animals to be a safe haven following resettlement

Riggs, D.W., Due, C., Taylor, N., (2017). 'I want to bring him from the aeroplane to here': The meaning of animals to children of refugee or migrant backgrounds resettled in Australia. Children & Society, 31, 219-230.

Assessing a school gardening program as an integrated component of a pilot farm-to-school initiative based in South Carolina

School gardens are used for multidisciplinary academic instruction more than contribution to school nutrition programs

Taylor, C., Symon, E.B., Dabbs, A., Way, E., Thompson, O.M., (2017). Assessing a school gardening program as an integrated component of a pilot farm-to-school initiative based in South Carolina. HortTechnology, 27(2), 228-234.

The prevalence and use of walking loops in neighborhood parks: A national study

Walking loops in parks may be an effective way to increase population level physical activity

Cohen, D.A., Han, B., Evenson, K.R., Nagel, C., McKenzie, T.L., Marsh, T., Williamson, S., Harnik, P., (2017). The prevalence and use of walking loops in neighborhood parks: A national study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(2), 170-174.

Transforming vacant lots: Investigating an alternative approach to reducing fear of crime

Incorporating Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) into traditional urban greening practices may optimize reductions in fear of crime

De Biasi, A., (2017). Transforming vacant lots: Investigating an alternative approach to reducing fear of crime. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 50, 125-137.

Greenspace and crime: An analysis of greenspace types, neighboring composition, and the temporal dimensions of crime

Spatial, temporal, and neighborhood dynamics influence greenspace crime

Kimpton, A., Corcoran, J., Wickes, R., (2017). Greenspace and crime: An analysis of greenspace types, neighboring composition, and the temporal dimensions of crime. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 54(3), 303-337.

Did community greening reduce crime? Evidence from Hew Haven, CT, 1996-2007

Community greening did not show a reduction in crime in New Haven, CT

Locke, D.H., Han, S.H., Kondo, M.C., Murphy-Dunning, C., Cox, M., (2017). Did community greening reduce crime? Evidence from Hew Haven, CT, 1996-2007. Landscape and Urban Planning, 161, 72-79.

Perceived health benefits and willingness to pay for parks by park users: Quantitative and qualitative research

Park users are willing to pay for parks, as they highly value them for the physical, mental, and social benefits they provide

Henderson-Wilson, C., Sia, K-L., Veitch, J., Staiger, P.K., Davidson, P., Nicholls, P., (2017). Perceived health benefits and willingness to pay for parks by park users: Quantitative and qualitative research. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14

Urban green spaces for children: A cross-sectional study of associations with distance, physical activity, screen time, general health, and overweight

Closeness to urban green space is related to higher frequency of physical activity and less screen time for children but not for teens

Akpinar, A., (2017). Urban green spaces for children: A cross-sectional study of associations with distance, physical activity, screen time, general health, and overweight. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 25, 66-73.

Childhood attachment to pets: Associations between pet attachment, attitudes to animals, compassion, and humane behaviour

Caring for pets may promote child-pet attachment which may, in turn, benefit both children and animals

Hawkins, R.D., Williams, J.M., Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (2017). Childhood attachment to pets: Associations between pet attachment, attitudes to animals, compassion, and humane behaviour. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(5)

Is neighborhood green space protective against associations between child asthma, neighborhood traffic volume and perceived lack of area safety? Multilevel analysis of 4447 Australian children

Protecting child respiratory health may be more effective if focused on expanding green space to buffer air pollution rather than trying to improve perceived safety

Feng, X., Astell-Burt, T., (2017). Is neighborhood green space protective against associations between child asthma, neighborhood traffic volume and perceived lack of area safety? Multilevel analysis of 4447 Australian children. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(5)

An open trial of equine-assisted therapy for children exposed to problematic parental substance use

Equine-assisted therapy may be effective in promoting positive changes in children with emotional and behavioral difficulties

Tsantefski, M., Briggs, L., Griffiths, J., Tidyman, A., (2017). An open trial of equine-assisted therapy for children exposed to problematic parental substance use. Health and Social Care in the Community, 25(3), 1247-1256.

Healthy lifestyle and well-being in adolescents through outdoor physical activity

Evaluating outdoor physical activity preferences and taking the preferred activities into account, including access to natural environments, may be an effective way of promoting the physical and mental health of adolescents

Fromel, K., Kudlacek, M, Groffik, D, Svozil, Z., Simunek, A, Garbaciak, W., (2017). Healthy lifestyle and well-being in adolescents through outdoor physical activity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(5)

Preschoolers' moral judgments of environmental harm and the influence of perspective taking

Perspective-taking activities can influence preschoolers’ moral judgments about behaviors that harm the environment

Hahn, E.R., Garrett, M.K., (2017). Preschoolers' moral judgments of environmental harm and the influence of perspective taking. Journal of Environmental Psychology

A global economic assessment of city policies to reduce climate change impacts

The largest benefits for reducing the impacts of global climate change may be attained when global and local initiatives are implemented together

Estrada, F., Botzen, W.J.W., Tol, R.S.J., (2017). A global economic assessment of city policies to reduce climate change impacts. Nature Climate Change, 17

Parks and young people: An environmental justice study of park proximity, acreage, and quality in Denver, Colorado

High-income and white people have access to significantly more acres of parks per youth, to more parks with excellent levels of quality, and to safer parks than other groups

Rigolon, A., (2017). Parks and young people: An environmental justice study of park proximity, acreage, and quality in Denver, Colorado. Landscape and Urban Planning, 165, 73-83.

Complementing classroom learning through outdoor adventure education: Out-of-school-time experiences that make a difference

An outdoor adventure education/school partnership program promotes social connectedness, self-efficacy in leadership competencies, and a stronger sense of self among adolescent girls

Richmond, D., Sibthorp, J., Gookin, J., Annorella, S., Ferri, S., (2018). Complementing classroom learning through outdoor adventure education: Out-of-school-time experiences that make a difference. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 18(1), 36-52.

The emergence of sensitivity to biocentric intentions in preschool children

Preschool children show an emerging sensitivity to biocentric intentions

Margoni, F., Surian, L., (2017). The emergence of sensitivity to biocentric intentions in preschool children. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 52, 37-42.

Social preference-based valuation of the links between home gardens, ecosystem services, and human well-being in Lefke Region of North Cyprus

Home gardens are valued for the ecosystem services they provide in promoting human health and well-being

Ciftcioglu, G.C., (2017). Social preference-based valuation of the links between home gardens, ecosystem services, and human well-being in Lefke Region of North Cyprus. Ecosystem Services, 25, 227-236.

Time spent outdoors during preschool: Links with children's cognitive and behavioral development

Outdoor time in the early childhood years may support children’s development of attention skills and protect against inattention-hyperactivity symptoms

Ulset, V., Vitaro, F., Brendgen, M., Bekkus, M., Borge, A.I.H., (2017). Time spent outdoors during preschool: Links with children's cognitive and behavioral development. Journal of Environmental Psychology

Nature Therapy: Incorporating nature into arts therapy

Nature Therapy broadens the classical therapeutic relationship between therapist and client by introducing nature as a third factor

Berger, R., (2017). Nature Therapy: Incorporating nature into arts therapy. Journal of Humanistic Psychology