Ecological identity, empathy, and experiential learning: A young child's exploration of a nearby river

Nature and parent working together can become key contributors to the development of a child’s ecological identity

Humphreys, C., Blenkinsop, S., (2018). Ecological identity, empathy, and experiential learning: A young child's exploration of a nearby river. Australian Journal of Environmental Education

Children's drawings in different cultures: An analysis of five-year-old Jordanian children's drawings

Jordanian children’s drawings depict natural elements of their immediate environment

Ahmad, J.F., (2018). Children's drawings in different cultures: An analysis of five-year-old Jordanian children's drawings. International Journal of Early Years Education, 26(3), 249-258.

Participatory retrofitting of school playgrounds: Collaboration between children and university students to develop a vision

School/university collaboration results in a children-led vision of a school playground

Menconi, M.E., Grohmann, D., (2018). Participatory retrofitting of school playgrounds: Collaboration between children and university students to develop a vision. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 29, 71-86.

Lasting impacts of an Aboriginal youth leadership retreat: A case study of Alberta's Future Leaders Program

Attention to cultural relevance may enhance the long-term impacts of Aboriginal leadership programs

Gartner-Manzon, S., Giles, A.R., (2018). Lasting impacts of an Aboriginal youth leadership retreat: A case study of Alberta's Future Leaders Program. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

Conservation leadership must account for cultural differences

Conservation leaders need to be aware of and sensitive to cultural differences

Straka, T.M., Bal. P., Corrigan, C., Di Fonzo, M.M.I., Butt, N., (2018). Conservation leadership must account for cultural differences. Journal of Nature Conservation, 43, 111-116.

Cultivating positive youth development, critical consciousness, and authentic care in urban environmental education

Physical and social features of an urban environmental education leadership program act as affordances in promoting youth assets and critical consciousness

Delia, J., Krasny, M.E., (2018). Cultivating positive youth development, critical consciousness, and authentic care in urban environmental education. Frontiers in Psychology, 15

What difference do role models make? Investigating outcomes at a residential environmental education center

Students who identified known adults as role models exhibited enhanced environmental responsibility, character development and leadership, and attitudes toward school

Stern, M.J., Frensley, B.T., Powell, R.B., Ardoin, N.M., (2018). What difference do role models make? Investigating outcomes at a residential environmental education center. Children's Geographies, 24(6), 818-830.

Youth e-participation as a pillar of sustainable societies

A game-based and expert-supported approach engages youth in urban planning for a sustainable future

Rexhepi, A., Filiposk, S., Trajkovik, V., (2018). Youth e-participation as a pillar of sustainable societies. Journal of Cleaner Production, 174(10), 114-122.

Biosphere reserve for all: Potentials for involving underrepresented age groups in the development of a biosphere reserve through intergenerational practice

Intergenerational practice may increase the involvement of youth and the elderly in sustainable development projects

Mitrofanenko, T., Snajdr, J., Muhar, A., Penker, M., Schauppenlehner-Kloyber, E., (2018). Biosphere reserve for all: Potentials for involving underrepresented age groups in the development of a biosphere reserve through intergenerational practice. Environmental Management

Reloading pupils' batteries: Impact of green spaces on cognition and wellbeing

Study breaks in green spaces improved well-being and cognitive performance of adolescents

Wallner, P., Kundi, M., Arnberger, A., Eder, R., Allex, B., Weitensfelder, L., Hutter, H., (2018). Reloading pupils' batteries: Impact of green spaces on cognition and wellbeing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(6)

Evaluating connection to nature and the relationship with conservation behaviour in children

Connection to nature is positively related to conservation behavior

Hughes, J., Richardson, M., Lumber, R., (2018). Evaluating connection to nature and the relationship with conservation behaviour in children. Journal for Nature Conservation, 45, 11-19.

Empathy for animals: A review of the existing literature

Empathy, by fostering understanding of the experiences and needs of animals, may promote conservation behavior

Young, A., Khalil, K.A., Wharton, J., (2018). Empathy for animals: A review of the existing literature. Curator: The Museum Journal, 61(2), 327-343.

Urban greenspace is associated with reduced psychological stress among adolescents: A Geographic Ecological Momentary Assessment (GEMA) analysis of activity space

Urban greenspace is associated with reduced psychological stress for adolescents, but only when the adolescent is away from home

Mennis, J., Mason, M., Ambrus, A., (2018). Urban greenspace is associated with reduced psychological stress among adolescents: A Geographic Ecological Momentary Assessment (GEMA) analysis of activity space. Landscape and Urban Planning, 174, 1-9.

Outdoor play and nature connectedness as potential correlates of internalized mental health symptoms among Canadian adolescents

Engagement with natural environments may provide adolescents with some protection against symptoms of poor mental health

Piccininni, C., Michaelson, V., Janssen, I., Pickett, W., (2018). Outdoor play and nature connectedness as potential correlates of internalized mental health symptoms among Canadian adolescents. Preventive Medicine, 112, 168-175.

The impact of greening schoolyards on the appreciation, and physical, cognitive and social-emotional well-being of schoolchildren: A prospective intervention study

The greening of schoolyards positively impacted children’s well-being, especially of girls and younger children

van Dijk-Wesselius, J.E., Maas, J., Hoving, D., van Vugt, M., van den Berg, A.E., (2018). The impact of greening schoolyards on the appreciation, and physical, cognitive and social-emotional well-being of schoolchildren: A prospective intervention study. Landscape and Urban Planning, 180, 15-26.

Connecting brawn, brains, and people: An exploration of non-traditional outcomes of youth stewardship programs

Stewardship programs should be place-based and build trust among participants, leaders, and partner organizations

DuBois, B., Krasny, M.E., Smith, J.C., (2018). Connecting brawn, brains, and people: An exploration of non-traditional outcomes of youth stewardship programs. Environmental Education Research, 24(7), 937-954.

Inverse relationship between urban green space and childhood autism in California elementary school districts

The prevalence of childhood autism was less in school districts with greater near-road canopy

Wu, J., Jackson, L., (2017). Inverse relationship between urban green space and childhood autism in California elementary school districts. Environment International, 107, 140-146.

"Becoming" an environmentalist in Indonesia

Becoming an environmentalist and leader is motivated by a desire to make something different

Nilan, P., Wibawanto, G.R., (2015). "Becoming" an environmentalist in Indonesia. Geoforum, 62, 61-69.

Rethinking preschool physical design: Enhancing environmental stewardship among children

Physical design elements of preschool settings should maximize children’s interactions with nature

Shaari, M.F., Ahmad, S.S., Ismail, I.S., (2018). Rethinking preschool physical design: Enhancing environmental stewardship among children. Asian Journal of Behavioural Studies, 3(13), 128-139.

Awe in nature heals: Evidence from military veterans, at-risk youth, and college students

Awe is a mechanism -- above and beyond other positive emotions -- by which nature experience enhances human well-being

Anderson, C. L., Monroy, M., Keltner, D., (2018). Awe in nature heals: Evidence from military veterans, at-risk youth, and college students. Emotion

Responding to nature: Natural environments improve parent-child communication

The natural environment enhanced the interactive aspects of parent-child communication

Cameron-Faulkner, T., Melville, J., Gattis, M., (2018). Responding to nature: Natural environments improve parent-child communication. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 59, 9-15.

Effect of greening vacant land on mental health of community-dwelling adults: A cluster randomized trial

The greening of vacant urban lots significantly reduced feelings of depression and worthlessness

South, E.C., Hohl, B.C., Kondo, M.C., MacDonald, J.M., Branas, C.C., (2018). Effect of greening vacant land on mental health of community-dwelling adults: A cluster randomized trial. JAMA Network Open, 1(3)

What are the drivers of and barriers to children's direct experiences of nature?

Children’s nature relatedness and family members’ attitudes towards nature-based activities were more influential in children’s engagement with neighborhood nature than the degree of urbanization

Soga, M., Yamanoi, T, Tsuchiya, K., Koyanagi, T.F., Kanai, T., (2018). What are the drivers of and barriers to children's direct experiences of nature?. Landscape and Urban Planning, 180, 114-120.

Green writing: The influence of natural spaces on primary students' poetic writing in the UK and Australia

Students with direct experience of nature produced richer poetic writing than students with vicarious contact with nature

Gardner, P., Kuzich, S., (2018). Green writing: The influence of natural spaces on primary students' poetic writing in the UK and Australia. Cambridge Journal of Education, 48(4), 427-443.

Unsettling food security: The role of young people in Indigenous food system revitalisation

Children have a key role to play in revitalizing the critical connection between access to Indigenous food systems and Indigenous food security

Bagelman, C., (2018). Unsettling food security: The role of young people in Indigenous food system revitalisation. Children & Society, 32(3), 219-232.

The effects of a health promotion program using urban forests and nursing student mentors on the perceived and psychological health of elementary school children in vulnerable populations

A health promotion program combining forest therapy and nursing student mentors increased children’s self-esteem and decreased depression

Bang, K-S, Kim, S., Song, M.K., Kang, K.I., Jeong, Y., (2018). The effects of a health promotion program using urban forests and nursing student mentors on the perceived and psychological health of elementary school children in vulnerable populations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15

Greenness and school-wide test scores are not always positively associated - A replication of "linking performance in Massachusetts elementary schools with the 'greenness' of school surroundings using remote sensing"

Academic achievement outcomes associated with greenness around schools may differ between low-green, high-disadvantaged schools and high-green, low-disadvantaged schools

Browning, M.H.E.M., Kuo, M., Sachdeva, S., Leed, K., Westphal, L., (2018). Greenness and school-wide test scores are not always positively associated - A replication of "linking performance in Massachusetts elementary schools with the 'greenness' of school surroundings using remote sensing". Landscape and Urban Planning, 178, 69-72.

Residential greenness and birthweight in the state of Massachusetts, USA

Residential greenness may benefit maternal health and fetal growth, mostly for those in less green areas and of higher socioeconomic status

Fong, K.C., Kloog, I., Coull, B.A., Koutrakis, P., Laden, F., Schwartz, J.D., James, P., (2018). Residential greenness and birthweight in the state of Massachusetts, USA. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15

A systematic review of the psychological, social, and educational outcomes associated with participation in wildland recreational activities

Individuals participating in wildland recreation experience multiple psychological, social, and educational benefits

Holland, W.H., Powell, R.B., Thomsen, J.M., Monz, C.A., (2018). A systematic review of the psychological, social, and educational outcomes associated with participation in wildland recreational activities. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 10(3), 197-225.

The relationship between surrounding greenness in childhood and adolescence and depressive symptoms in adolescence and early childhood

Greater surrounding greenness during childhood and adolescence may provide some mental health benefits, especially for people living in high population density areas

Bezold, C.P., Banay, R.F., Coull, B.A., Hart, J.E., James, P., Kubzansky, L.D., Missmer, S.A., Laden, F.L., (2018). The relationship between surrounding greenness in childhood and adolescence and depressive symptoms in adolescence and early childhood. Annals of Epidemiology, 28(4), 213-219.

Natural environments near schools: Potential benefits for socio-emotional and behavioral development in early childhood

Natural environments near schools are positively associated with the socio-emotional and behavioral development of preschool children

Scott, J.T., Kilmer, R.P., Wang, C., Cook, J.R., Haber, M.G., (2018). Natural environments near schools: Potential benefits for socio-emotional and behavioral development in early childhood. American Journal of Community Psychology

Childhood nature experiences and adulthood environmental preferences

Direct nature experiences during childhood are associated with pro-environmental preferences during adulthood

Jensen, A.K., Olsen, S.B., (2019). Childhood nature experiences and adulthood environmental preferences. Ecological Economics, 156, 48-56.

Nature-based learning for student achievement and ecological citizenship

Nature-based learning recognizes and addresses the needs of both students and the natural world

Chawla, L., (2018). Nature-based learning for student achievement and ecological citizenship. Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue, 20(1 & 2)

EcoWellness: Contextualizing nature connection in traditional clinical and educational settings to foster positive childhood outcomes

The EcoWellness model offers a research-based framework for integrating nature connection in therapeutic and academic settings

Reese, R.F., (2018). EcoWellness: Contextualizing nature connection in traditional clinical and educational settings to foster positive childhood outcomes. Ecopsychology

The effects of an Urban Forest Health Intervention Program on physical activity, substance abuse, psychosomatic symptoms, and life satisfaction among adolescents

An urban forest program promotes physical activity and decreases risky behavior in at-risk adolescents

Tesler, R., Plaut, P., Endvelt, R., (2018). The effects of an Urban Forest Health Intervention Program on physical activity, substance abuse, psychosomatic symptoms, and life satisfaction among adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10)

Combining Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Adventure Therapy to promote psychological wellbeing of children at-risk

The natural environment seemed to play a key role in advancing the goals of a therapeutic program for children with challenging emotional and/or behavioral needs

Tracey, D., Gray, T., Truong, S., Ward, K., (2018). Combining Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Adventure Therapy to promote psychological wellbeing of children at-risk. Frontiers in Psychology

Developing ecological literacy in a forest garden: Children's perspectives

Forest gardens can be used to foster children's ecological literacy

Hammarsten, M., Askerlund, P., Almers, E., Avery, H., Samuelsson, T., (2019). Developing ecological literacy in a forest garden: Children's perspectives. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning,, 19(3), 227-241.

Using culturally-relevant experiential education to enhance urban children's knowledge and engagement in science

An experiential science education program with a focus on cultural relevancy and eco-justice increased urban children’s knowledge and engagement in science

Djonko-Moore, C., Leonard, J., Holifield, Q., Bailey, E.B., Almughyirah, S.M., (2018). Using culturally-relevant experiential education to enhance urban children's knowledge and engagement in science. Journal of Experiential Education, 41(2), 137-153.

Fostering children's connection to nature through authentic situations: The case of saving salamanders at school

Authentic conservation project is used to promote an enduring positive relationship with nature

Barthel, S., Belton, S., Raymond, C.M., Giusti, M., (2018). Fostering children's connection to nature through authentic situations: The case of saving salamanders at school. Frontiers in Psychology, 8

Mental health benefits of interactions with nature in children and teenagers: A systematic review

Interactions with nature may positively influence the mental health of children and teenagers

Tillmann, S., Tobin, D., Avison, W., Gilliland, J., (2018). Mental health benefits of interactions with nature in children and teenagers: A systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 72(10)

The role of neighbourhood greenspace in children's spatial working memory

Children living in greener urban neighborhoods have better spatial working memory

Flouri, E., Papachristou, E., Midouhas, E., (2019). The role of neighbourhood greenspace in children's spatial working memory. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 89(2), 359-373.

Characteristics associated with high and low levels of ecological literacy in a western society

Nature-related childhood experiences are positively related to ecological literacy in adulthood

Pitman, S.D., Daniels, C.B., Sutton, P.C., (2018). Characteristics associated with high and low levels of ecological literacy in a western society. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 25(3), 227-237.

School gardens in the United States: Current barriers to integration and sustainability

Time and staff concerns are primary barriers to school gardening success

Burt, K.G., Luesse, H.B., Rakoff, J., Ventura, A., Burgermaster, M., (2018). School gardens in the United States: Current barriers to integration and sustainability. American Journal of Public Health

Understanding the nature play milieu: Using behavior mapping to investigate children's activities in outdoor play spaces

Behavior mapping can be an effective strategy for capturing children’s play activities in natural environments as well as the social and environmental context

Cox, A., Loebach, J., Little, S., (2018). Understanding the nature play milieu: Using behavior mapping to investigate children's activities in outdoor play spaces. Children, Youth and Environments, 28(2), 232-261.

How ordinary wildlife makes local green places special

Wildlife experiences during childhood strongly influence people’s bond with local natural places

Folmer, A., Haartsen, T., Huigen, P.P.P., (2019). How ordinary wildlife makes local green places special. Landscape Research, 44(4), 393-403.

Use of children's literature to support an emerging curriculum model of education for sustainable development for young learners

Children’s literature can be an integral component of education for sustainable development for young learners

Bhagwanji, Y., Born, P., (2018). Use of children's literature to support an emerging curriculum model of education for sustainable development for young learners. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 12(2), 85-102.

Green breaks: The restorative effect of the school environment's green areas on children's cognitive performance

Recess in an outdoor natural environment is more restorative than recess in an outdoor built environment

Amicone, G., Petruccelli, I., De Dominicis, S., Gherardini, A., Costantino, V., Perucchini, P., Bonaiuto, M., (2018). Green breaks: The restorative effect of the school environment's green areas on children's cognitive performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 9

The psychology of recent nature visits: (How) are motives and attentional focus related to post-visit restorative experiences, creativity, and emotional well-being?

Motives and attentional focus are strongly connected to the outcomes of visits to natural environments

Pasanen, T.P., Neuvonen, M., Korpela, K.M., (2018). The psychology of recent nature visits: (How) are motives and attentional focus related to post-visit restorative experiences, creativity, and emotional well-being?. Environment and Behavior, 50(8), 913-944.

The effectiveness of a head-heart-hands model for natural and environmental science learning in urban schools

Disadvantaged youth showed improved academic performance after participating in an environmental and science education program using a head-heart-hands approach

Jagannathan, R., Camasso, M.J., Delacalle, M., (2018). The effectiveness of a head-heart-hands model for natural and environmental science learning in urban schools. Evaluation and Program Planning, 66, 53-62.

Outdoor time, screen time, and connection to nature: Troubling trends among rural youth?

Escalating screen time is having a negative influence on rural youths’ time outdoors and their connectedness to nature

Larson, L.R., Szczytko, R., Bowers, E.P., Stephens, L.E., Stevenson, K.T., Floyd, M.F., (2019). Outdoor time, screen time, and connection to nature: Troubling trends among rural youth?. Environment and Behavior, 51(8), 966-991.