Nature relatedness in student teachers, perceived competence and willingness to teach outdoors: An empirical study

Student teachers’ nature connectedness and their perceived competence and willingness to teach outdoors are positively associated

Barrable, A., Lakin, L., (2020). Nature relatedness in student teachers, perceived competence and willingness to teach outdoors: An empirical study. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 20(3), 189-201.

Impact of residential green space on sleep quality and sufficiency in children and adolescents residing in Australia and Germany

Children and adolescents living in greener areas in two different countries did not have higher odds of more positive sleep outcomes

Feng, X., Flexeder, C., Markevych, I., Standl, M., Heinrich, J., Schikowski, T., Koletzko, S., Herberth, G., Bauer, C.P., Von Berg, A., Berdel, D., Astell-Burt, T., (2020). Impact of residential green space on sleep quality and sufficiency in children and adolescents residing in Australia and Germany. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(13), 1-16.

Connecting high school students with nature – How different guided tours in the zoo influence the success of extracurricular educational programs

Zoo-based education programs can be effective in promoting connection to nature for high school students

Kleespies, M.W., Gübert, J., Popp, A., Hartmann, N., Dietz, C., Spengler, T., Becker, M., Dierkes, P.W., (2020). Connecting high school students with nature – How different guided tours in the zoo influence the success of extracurricular educational programs. Frontiers in Psychology, 11

Green space access in the neighbourhood and childhood obesity

Literature review provides evidence that greater access to green space predicts higher levels of physical activity and less TV watching, but inconclusive evidence for weight-related outcomes

Jia, P., Cao, X., Yang, H., Dai, Shaoqing, He, P., Huang, G., Wu, T., Wang, Y., (2020). Green space access in the neighbourhood and childhood obesity. Obesity Reviews

From childhood nature experiences to adult pro-environmental behaviors: An explanatory model of sustainable food consumption

Childhood nature experiences can influence sustainable food consumption choices later in life

Molinario, E., Lorenzi, C., Bartoccioni, F., Perucchini, P., Bobeth, S., Colléony, A., Diniz, R., Eklund, A., Jaeger, C., Kibbe, A., Richter, I., Ruepert, A., Sloot, D., Udall, A. M., Bonaiuto, M., (2020). From childhood nature experiences to adult pro-environmental behaviors: An explanatory model of sustainable food consumption. Environmental Education Research, 26(8), 1137-1163.

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

Childhood nature connection and constructive hope: A review of research on connecting with nature and coping with environmental loss

Research on connection with nature and coping with environmental change can benefit from integration

Chawla, L., (2020). Childhood nature connection and constructive hope: A review of research on connecting with nature and coping with environmental loss. People and Nature

Being and becoming in nature: Defining and measuring connection to nature in young children

Young children often express the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions of connection to nature differently than adults and older children

Beery, T., Chawla, L., Leven, P., (2020). Being and becoming in nature: Defining and measuring connection to nature in young children. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 7(3), 3-22.

'That's given me a bit more hope' - adolescent girls' experiences of Forest School

Forest School improves mental health and well-being according to adolescent girls with mental health risk factors

Manner, J., Doi, L., Laird, Y., (2020). 'That's given me a bit more hope' - adolescent girls' experiences of Forest School. Children's Geographies

What is the evidence base for integrating health and environmental approaches in the school context to nurture healthier and more environmentally aware young people? A systematic scoping review of global evidence

Integrated approaches used by schools to promote both human health and environmentally aware students are underexplored, and evidence of their effectiveness remain fragmented

Proctor, R., Guell, C., Wyatt, K., Williams, A. J., (2020). What is the evidence base for integrating health and environmental approaches in the school context to nurture healthier and more environmentally aware young people? A systematic scoping review of global evidence. Health & Place, 64

Restorative effects of urban park soundscapes on children’s psychophysiological stress

Urban park soundscapes can help children recover from stress, with significant differences between boys and girls

Shu, S., Ma, H., (2020). Restorative effects of urban park soundscapes on children’s psychophysiological stress. Applied Acoustics, 164

Children with autism in wild nature: Exploring Australian parent perceptions using Photovoice

Parents of children with autism identify benefits and barriers associated with spending time in nature

Galbraith, C., Lancaster, J., (2020). Children with autism in wild nature: Exploring Australian parent perceptions using Photovoice. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education

Nature prescriptions for health: A review of evidence and research opportunities

Nature prescription programs are growing faster than the evidence base to support and guide such programs

Kondo, M.C., Oyekanmi, K.O., Gibson, A., South, E.C., Bocarro, J., Hipp, J.A., (2020). Nature prescriptions for health: A review of evidence and research opportunities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17

Urban trees and human health: A scoping review

Urban forests contribute to human health by reducing harm, restoring capacities, and building capacities

Wolf, K.L., Lam, S.T., McKeen, J.K., Richardson, G.R.A., van den Bosch, M., Bardekjian, A.C., (2020). Urban trees and human health: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(12)

Psychological impacts of "screen time" and "green time" for children and adolescents: A systematic scoping review

Screen time and green time are linked to psychological well-being in contrasting ways

Oswald, T. K., Rumbold, A. R., Kedzior, S. G. E., Moore, V. M., (2020). Psychological impacts of "screen time" and "green time" for children and adolescents: A systematic scoping review. PLOS ONE, 15(9), 1-52.

Association of greenspace exposure with telomere length in preschool children

Greenspace exposure and telomere length are positively linked in preschool children

Miri, M., Prado-Bert, P. D., Alahabadi, A., Najafi, M. L., Rad, A., Moslem, A., Aval, H. E., Ehrampoush, M. H., Bustamante, M., Sakhvidi, M. J. Z., Nawrot, T., Sunyer, J., Dadvand, P., (2020). Association of greenspace exposure with telomere length in preschool children. Environmental Pollution, 266, 1-10.

Greening schoolyards - An urban resilience perspective

Using a resilience frame to explore greening schoolyard initiatives can support the strengthening of systems at different scales

Flax, L., Altes, R. K., Kupers, R., Mons, B., (2020). Greening schoolyards - An urban resilience perspective. Cities, 106

Gardens as science learning contexts across educational stages: Learning assessment based on students' graphic representations

Educational gardens offer appropriate real-life contexts for science and environmental teaching from preschool through higher education

Eugenio-Gozalbo, M., Aragón, L., Ortega-Cubero, L., (2020). Gardens as science learning contexts across educational stages: Learning assessment based on students' graphic representations. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-14.

Hands-on ecological restoration as a nature-based health intervention: Reciprocal restoration for people and ecosystems

Research focusing on restoration for both people and ecosystems can help fill a major gap in the academic literature

Nabhan, G. P., Orlando, L., Monti, L. S., Aronson, J., (2020). Hands-on ecological restoration as a nature-based health intervention: Reciprocal restoration for people and ecosystems. Ecopsychology, 12(3), 195-202.

Healthy movement behaviors in children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the role of the neighborhood environment

Certain features of the built environment are associated with increased or decreased physical activity of Canadian children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic

Mitra, R., Moore, S. A., Gillespie, M., Faulkner, G., Vanderloo, L. M., Chulak-Bozzer, T., Rhodes, R. E., Brussoni, M., Tremblay, M. S., (2020). Healthy movement behaviors in children and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the role of the neighborhood environment. Health and Place, 65

Regional differences in access to the outdoors and outdoor play of Canadian children and youth during the COVID-19 outbreak

Canadian provinces with more stringent COVID-related restrictions on outdoor behavior had the greatest decline in outdoor play among children and youth

Lannoy, L. D., Rhodes, R. E., Moore, S. A., Faulkner, G., Tremblay, M. S., (2020). Regional differences in access to the outdoors and outdoor play of Canadian children and youth during the COVID-19 outbreak. Canadian Journal of Public Health

Parental/guardians' connection to nature better predicts children's nature connectedness than visits or area-level characteristics

Children’s nature connectedness is most strongly associated with parents’ connection to nature

Passmore, H., Martin, L., Richardson, M., White, M., Hunt, A., Pahl, S., (2020). Parental/guardians' connection to nature better predicts children's nature connectedness than visits or area-level characteristics. Ecopsychology, 13(2), 103-113.

Play within outdoor preschool learning environments of Greece: A comparative study on current and prospective Kindergarten Educators

Current and future Greek preschool teachers acknowledge outdoor play benefits but their ideas for promoting play differ

Sakellariou, M., Banou, M., (2020). Play within outdoor preschool learning environments of Greece: A comparative study on current and prospective Kindergarten Educators. Early Child Development and Care, 192(6), 887-903.

Urban nature in a time of crisis: Recreational use of green space increases during the COVID-19 outbreak in Oslo, Norway

Recreational use of green space increased dramatically during COVID-19 in Oslo, Norway

Venter, Z. S., Barton, D. N., Gundersen, V., Figari, H., Nowell, M., (2020). Urban nature in a time of crisis: Recreational use of green space increases during the COVID-19 outbreak in Oslo, Norway. Environmental Research Letters, 15

Biodiversity intervention enhances immune regulation and health-associated commensal microbiota among daycare children

Adding biodiverse elements to a play yard can enhance preschoolers’ immune systems

Roslund, M.I., Puhakka, R., Grönroos, M., Nurminen, N., Oikarinen, S., Gazali, A.M., Cinek, O., Kramná, L., Siter, N., Vari, H.K., Soininen, L., Parajuli, A., Rajaniemi, J., Kinnunen, T., Laitinen, O.H., (2020). Biodiversity intervention enhances immune regulation and health-associated commensal microbiota among daycare children. Science Advances, 6(42)

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

The impact of COVID-19 on public space: An early review of the emerging questions - design, perceptions and inequities

The COVID-19 pandemic experience could potentially change urban public space perceptions, planning, and use

Honey-Rosés, J., Anguelovski, I., Chireh, V. K., Daher, C., van den Bosch, C. K., Litt, J. S., Mawani, V., McCall, M. K., Orellana, A., Oscilowicz, E., Sánchez, U., Senbel, M., Tan, X., Villagomez, E., Zapata, O., (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on public space: An early review of the emerging questions - design, perceptions and inequities. Cities and Health

Analysing the state of student participation in two Eco-Schools using Engeström’s Second Generation Activity Systems Model

An activity-based “whole institution” approach may promote student engagement in Eco-School programs

Schröder, L, U., Wals, A. E. J., van Koppen, C. S. A., (2020). Analysing the state of student participation in two Eco-Schools using Engeström’s Second Generation Activity Systems Model. Environmental Education Research, 26(8), 1088-1111.

Greenness surrounding schools and adisposity in children and adolescents: Findings from a national population-based study in China

Higher school-based greenness levels in China are associated with healthier weight in children and adolescents

Bao, W., Yang, B., Zou, Z., Ma, J., Jing, J., Wang, H., Luo, J., Zhang, X., Luo, C., Wang, H., Zhao, H., Pan, D., Gui, Z., Zhang, J., Guo, Y., (2021). Greenness surrounding schools and adisposity in children and adolescents: Findings from a national population-based study in China. Environmental Research, 192

Partnering for outdoor play: A case study of forest and nature school programming in the context of licensed child care in Ottawa, Ontario

Collaborative efforts between organizations can make forest and nature school opportunities available to more children

Niblett, B., Hiscott, K., Power, M., McFarlane, H., (2020). Partnering for outdoor play: A case study of forest and nature school programming in the context of licensed child care in Ottawa, Ontario. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, 23(2), 67-85.

How and why did outdoor play become a central focus of Scottish early learning and care policy

Case study reveals opportunities and barriers to the implementation of outdoor play programs in Scotland

Perlman, M., Howe, N., Bergeron, C., (2020). How and why did outdoor play become a central focus of Scottish early learning and care policy. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, 23(2), 46-66.

Taking it outside: Engaging in active, creative, outdoor play with digital technology

The use of iPads by kindergarten children accompanied and added to their active and creative outdoor play, while also promoting nature connectedness

McGlynn-Stewart, M., Maguire, N., Mogyorodi, E., (2020). Taking it outside: Engaging in active, creative, outdoor play with digital technology. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, 23(2), 31-45.

Are parental perceptions of risk and attitudes toward risk-taking during play associated with preschoolers' physical activity and physical literacy?

Parents’ perceptions of risky play are linked to preschoolers’ activity levels and motor skills

Stone, M. R., Webber, N., Cawley, J., Houser, N. E., Kirk, S. F. L., (2020). Are parental perceptions of risk and attitudes toward risk-taking during play associated with preschoolers' physical activity and physical literacy?. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, 23(2), 10-30.

Nature as a community health tool: The case for healthcare providers and systems

Evidence linking nature and health strongly supports the idea of looking to nature as a community health tool

South, E. C., Kondo, M. C., Razani, N., (2020). Nature as a community health tool: The case for healthcare providers and systems. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 59(4), 606-610.

Accessibility and allocation of public parks and gardens in England and Wales: A COVID-19 social distancing perspective

Disparities in access to urban greenspace become more of a concern when social distancing needs to be practiced

Shoari, N., Ezzati, M., Baumgartner, J., Fecht, D., (2020). Accessibility and allocation of public parks and gardens in England and Wales: A COVID-19 social distancing perspective. PLoS ONE, 15(10)

The power of garden-based curriculum to promote scientific and nature-friendly attitudes in children through a cotton project

Garden-based projects can be effective in promoting preschool children’s scientific and nature-friendly attitudes

Kim, K. J., Jung, E., Han, M., Sohn, J., (2020). The power of garden-based curriculum to promote scientific and nature-friendly attitudes in children through a cotton project. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 34(4), 538-550.

Place-making practices for park improvements to support environmental justice in a low-income African American neighborhood

The use of place-making practices for park improvements can potentially support environmental justice in low-income minority communities

Carnahan, A. H., Groshong, L., Stanis, S. A. W., Balasubramanyam, V., Kutty, A., (2020). Place-making practices for park improvements to support environmental justice in a low-income African American neighborhood. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 38(3), 93-111.

Nature is just around us! Development of an educational program for implementation of nature-based activities at a crisis shelter for women and children exposed to domestic violence

Learning how to tap into the therapeutic use of nature may enhance the competencies of professionals working with women and children exposed to domestic violence

Poulsen, D. V., Lygum, V. L., Djernis, H. G., Stigsdotter, U. K., (2020). Nature is just around us! Development of an educational program for implementation of nature-based activities at a crisis shelter for women and children exposed to domestic violence. Journal of Social Work Practice

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.

Making women's shelters more conducive to family life: Professionals' exploration of the benefits of nature

Including nature in women’s shelters may support parenting

Peters, E., Maas, J., Schuengel, C., Havinga, D., (2020). Making women's shelters more conducive to family life: Professionals' exploration of the benefits of nature. Children's Geographies, 19(4), 475-487.

Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on movement and play behaviors of Canadian children and youth: A national survey

The immediate collateral consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak include a decrease in the movement and play behaviors of Canadian children and youth

Moore, S. A., Faulkner, G., Rhodes, R. E., Brussoni, M., Chulak-Bozzer, T., Ferguson, L. J., Mitra, S. A., O'Reilly, N., Spence, J. C., Vanderloo, L. M., Tremblay, M. S., (2020). Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on movement and play behaviors of Canadian children and youth: A national survey. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(85), 1-11.

Association of neighborhood parks with child health in the United States

National study links neighborhood parks to children’s physical and mental health

Reuben, A., Rutherford, G., James, J., Razani, N., (2020). Association of neighborhood parks with child health in the United States. Preventive Medicine

Land and nature as sources of health and resilience among Indigenous youth in an urban Canadian context: A photo voice exploration

Connections with land and nature may be a hidden strength or source of resilience and wellbeing for Indigenous youth living in urban environments

Hatala, A. R., Njeze, C., Morton, D., Pearl, T., Bird-Naytowhow, K., (2020). Land and nature as sources of health and resilience among Indigenous youth in an urban Canadian context: A photo voice exploration. BMC Public Health, 20(538), 1-14.

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)

Exploring the impact of contact with nature in childhood on adult personality

The frequency of contact with nature in childhood predicts adult personality, including higher Openness and lower Neuroticism

Snell, T. L., Simmonds, J. G., Klein, L. M., (2020). Exploring the impact of contact with nature in childhood on adult personality. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 55, 1-9.

Teaching traditional indoor school lessons in nature: The effects on student learning and behaviour

Students spent more time on-task in outdoor versus indoor classrooms

Norwood, M. F., Lakhani, A., Kendall, E., (2021). Teaching traditional indoor school lessons in nature: The effects on student learning and behaviour. Landscape and Urban Planning, 206, 1-10.

Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (TOPO): A new typology for capturing children’s play behaviors in outdoor environments

A new play observation tool was designed to study child-initiated outdoor play and to evaluate the play environment itself

Loebach, J., Cox, A., (2020). Tool for Observing Play Outdoors (TOPO): A new typology for capturing children’s play behaviors in outdoor environments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15)

Children’s preferences for schoolyard features and understanding of ecosystem service innovations – A study in five Swedish preschools

Swedish preschoolers generally ignored new features installed at their schools to enhance biodiversity, perhaps due to their lack of involvement in the process

Almer, E., Askerlund, P., Samuelsson, T., Waite, S., (2020). Children’s preferences for schoolyard features and understanding of ecosystem service innovations – A study in five Swedish preschools. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning

Who is John the snail and when can we meet him?: Parent perspectives on children’s engagement in a forest nature program

Parents believe that the benefits of a forest school program are greater than any risks involved

Zimanyi, L., Rossovska, O., (2020). Who is John the snail and when can we meet him?: Parent perspectives on children’s engagement in a forest nature program. Journal of Innovation in Polytechnic Education

A national research agenda supporting green schoolyard development and equitable access to nature

Green schoolyards can be a tool for equitable access to nature, but more coordinated research and action are required

Stevenson, K.T., Moore, R., Cosco, N., Floyd, M.F., Sullivan, W., Brink, L., Gerstein, D., Jordan, C., Zaplatosch, J., (2020). A national research agenda supporting green schoolyard development and equitable access to nature. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, 8(10)