eeRESEARCH

Welcome to our collaborative research library!

eeRESEARCH combines research for environmental education and the movement to connect children and nature. The database includes multiple ways to search for articles, syntheses, and research summaries. 

This project is a partnership with Children & Nature Network and NAAEE. Funded by the Pisces Foundation with support from ee360 and the U.S. Forest Service. Learn more.

Displaying 1 - 50 of 2107

Cultural connections can play an important role in the wholistic wellness of Indigenous children

Riley, K. ., Chow, A. F., Wahpepah, K. ., Houser, N. ., Brussoni, M. ., Stevenson, E. ., … Humbert, M. L. (2023). A nature’s way—Our way pilot project case assemblage: (Re)storying child/physical literacy/land relationships for Indigenous preschool-aged children’s wholistic wellness. Children, 10. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/children10030497

Nature is an important part of adolescents’ leisure time experiences and everyday well-being

Puhakka, R. ., & Hakokongas, E. . (2023). Adolescents’ experiences in nature: Sources of everyday well-being. Journal of Leisure Research. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2023.2204346

Adventure therapy provides adolescents with complex trauma an opportunity for healing

Pringle, G. ., Boddy, J. ., Slattery, M. ., & Harris, P. . (2023). Adventure therapy for adolescents with complex trauma: A scoping review and analysis. Journal of Experiential Education, 46, 433-454. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/10538259221147195

Engaging children in the co-production of nature-based solutions can foster their connections to nature

Hoyle, H. ., & Cottrill, W. . (2023). Beyond the ‘usual suspects’? Engaging children in diverse communities in co-producing an arboretum-meadow: Professional partner perspectives. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 79. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.127847

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, H. W. , III. (2023). Connection to nature is associated with social-emotional learning of children. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 4. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2022.100083

Children need expanded opportunities for independence to support their mental well-being

Gray, P. ., Lancy, D. F., & Bjorklund, D. F. (2023). Decline in independent activity as a cause of decline in children’s mental well-being: Summary of the evidence. The Journal of Pediatrics, 260. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.02.004

Designing playgrounds for inclusion may require more than a Universal Design approach

Moore, A. ., Boyle, B. ., & Lynch, H. . (2023). Designing public playgrounds for inclusion: A scoping review of grey literature guidelines for Universal Design. Children’s Geographies, 21, 422-441. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2022.2073197

A sustainable development curriculum developed in collaboration with an Indigenous community increased students’ sense of place

Li, W.-T. ., & Shein, P. P. (2023). Developing sense of place through a place-based Indigenous education for sustainable development curriculum. Environmental Education Research, 29, 692-714. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2022.2098933

Children of all abilities want playgrounds that are welcoming, safe, aesthetically pleasing, and that provide opportunities for fun

Morgenthaler, T. ., Schulze, C. ., Pentland, D. ., & Lynch, H. . (2023). Environmental qualities that enhance outdoor play in community playgrounds from the perspective of children with and without disabilities: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20031763

A “two-eyed seeing” approach can support Indigenous self-determination and wholistic health

Riley, K. ., Chow, A. F., Wahpepah, K. ., Humbert, M. L., Brussoni, M. ., Houser, N. ., & Erlandson, M. C. (2023). Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) in Nature’s Way-Our Way: Braiding physical literacy and risky play through Indigenous games, activities, cultural connections, and traditional teachings. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801231167881

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, H. W. , III. (2023). Heat-resilient schoolyards: Relations between temperature, shade, and physical activity of children during recess. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 20, 134-141. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2022-0405

Exposure to nature is linked to improved social health

Arbuthnott, C. D. (2023). Nature exposure and social health: Prosocial behavior, social cohesion, and effect pathways. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 90. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102109

Nature-based interventions can have a positive impact on the psychological and behavioral health of vulnerable adolescents

Overbey, T. A., Diekmann, F. ., & Lekies, K. S. (2023). Nature-based interventions for vulnerable youth: a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 33, 15-53. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2021.1998390

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, 170-183. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2021.1984965

Topography and other physical features of outdoor play spaces encourage children’s engagement in risky play

Loebach, J. ., Ramsden, R. ., Cox, A. ., Joyce, K. ., & Brussoni, M. . (2023). Running the risk: The social, behavioral and environmental associations with positive risk in children’s play activities in outdoor playspaces. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-023-00145-1

A brief exposure to virtual nature can promote adolescents’ mental well-being, nature connection, and spirituality

Owens, M. ., & Bunce, H. . (2023). The effect of brief exposure to virtual nature on mental wellbeing in adolescents. Scientific Reports, 13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44717-z

Interventions designed to increase nature connectedness may also promote pro-nature behaviors and life satisfaction in children

Harvey, C. ., Sheffield, D. ., Richardson, M. ., & Wells, R. . (2023). The impact of a ‘‘Three Good Things in Nature’’ writing task on nature connectedness, pro-nature conservation behavior, life satisfaction, and mindfulness in children. Ecopsychology, 15, 26-36. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2022.0014

Natural surroundings and biophilic design may enhance therapeutic work with children and youth

Hauge, A. L., Lindheim, M. O., Røtting, K. ., & Johnsen, S. A. K. (2023). The meaning of the physical environment in child and adolescent therapy: A qualitative study of the Outdoor Care Retreat. Ecopsychology, 15, 244-258. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/eco.2022.0087

Early childhood educators nurture young children’s enthusiasm for learning in nature

Bergan, V. ., Nylund, M. B., Midtbø, I. L., & Paulsen, B. H. L. (2023). The teacher’s role for engagement in foraging and gardening activities in kindergarten. Environmental Education Research. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2023.2181271

Teachers’ opportunities for mentorship are essential to risky outdoor play and learning in schools

Zeni, M. ., Schnellert, L. ., & Brussoni, M. . (2023). “We do it anyway”: Professional identities of teachers who enact risky play as a framework for education outdoors. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-023-00140-6

Barriers to addressing settler colonialism in outdoor education programs include lack of understanding, fear, and adherence to white ignorance

Brooks, S. D., Sabzalian, L. ., Weiser-Nieto, R. ., & Springer, S. . (2023). “We should have held this in a circle”: White ignorance and answerability in outdoor education. The Journal of Environmental Education, 54, 114-131. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2023.2169897

Children with physical disabilities face barriers to outdoor recreational activities

Vogt, A. ., Zajchowski, C. ., & Hill, E. . (2022). A ramp that leads to nothing: Outdoor recreation experiences of children with physical disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leisure Studies, 41, 742-752. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2022.2049629

Arts-based interventions in nature can increase nature connectivity and improve well-being in children and young people

Moula, Z. ., Palmer, K. ., & Walshe, N. . (2022). A systematic review of arts-based interventions delivered to children and young people in nature or outdoor spaces: Impact on nature connectedness, health and wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.858781

Nature has a positive impact on the mental health of adolescents, but little is known about why

Rowley, M. ., Topciu, R. ., & Owens, M. . (2022). A systematic review of mechanisms underpinning psychological change following nature exposure in an adolescent population. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912649

Engaging students, teachers, and parents in recycling education can build community habits

Taghdisi, M. H., Estebsari, F. ., Gholami, M. ., Hosseini, A. F., Milani, A. S., Abolkheirian, S. ., & Kandi, Z. R. K. (2022). A training program of source-separated recycling for primary school students: Applying the health promoting schools model. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 21(1), 102-117. https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2021.2001392

Adolescents report being engaged and emotionally affected by current environmental issues

Thompson, R. ., Fisher, H. L., Dewa, L. H., Hussain, T. ., Kabba, Z. ., & Toledano, M. B. (2022). Adolescents’ thoughts and feelings about the local and global environment: A qualitative interview study. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 27, 4-13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12520

Engaging children in digital storying can support children in expressing and sharing their emotional experiences.

Byman, J. ., Kumpulainen, K. ., Wong, C. ., & Renlund, J. . (2022). Children’s emotional experiences in and about nature across temporal–spatial entanglements during digital storying. Literacy, 56. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/lit.12265

Education outside the classroom can have a positive effect on biological stress regulation

Dettweiler, U. ., Gerchen, M. ., Mall, C. ., Simon, P. ., & Kirsch, P. . (2022). Choice matters: Pupils’ stress regulation, brain development and brain function in an outdoor education project. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 93, 152-173. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12528

Most adolescents experience climate worry, which can be constructively associated with societal engagement but can also be associated with greater depression

Sciberras, E. ., & Fernando, J. W. (2022). Climate change-related worry among Australian adolescents: an eight-year longitudinal study. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 27, 22-29. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12521

Cripping environmental education means disrupting the able-bodiedness within the field

Schmidt, J. . (2022). Cripping environmental education: Rethinking disability, nature, and interdependent futures. Australian Journal of Environmental Education. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/aee.2022.26

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. ., … 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. https://doi.org/http://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104313

Planning programs around a nature-based literacy framework may promote child health while promoting ecological knowledge and stewardship

Barrette, M. ., Boyer, W. ., Naylor, P. J., & Harper, N. . (2022). Defining a nature-based literacy: A research synthesis review of health-promoting literacies to promote nature engagement. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2022.2067201

Access to multiple types of greenspace is a stronger predictor of greenspace use by children than parental support

Arvidsen, J. ., Schmidt, T. ., Praestholm, S. ., Andkjaer, S. ., Olafsson, A. S., Nielsen, J. V., & Schipperijn, J. . (2022). Demographic, social, and environmental factors predicting Danish children’s greenspace use. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 66. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127487

Children who become aware of the effects of climate change vicariously can have both maladaptive and adaptive emotional responses

Leger-Goodes, T. ., Malboeuf-Hurtubise, C. ., Mastine, T. ., Généreux, M. ., Paradis, P.-O. ., & Camden, C. . (2022). Eco-anxiety in children: A scoping review of the mental health impacts of the awareness of climate change. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.872544

Local conservation efforts could benefit from student involvement

Kamaludin, M. ., Azlina, A. A., Ibrahim, W. N. W., Alipiah, R. M., Saputra, J. ., Abdullah, M. M., … Omar, C. M. (2022). Effectiveness of a conservation education program among school students on the importance of mangrove ecosystems in Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 21(1), 23-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2021.1936298

Outdoor environments can promote the mental health of adolescents by supporting physical activity, restoration and social connection

Wales, M. ., Mårtensson, F. ., Hoff, E. ., & Jansson, M. . (2022). Elevating the role of the outdoor environment for adolescent wellbeing in everyday life. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.774592

Co-development of learning activities with a community can lead to better educational outcomes

Leach, C. ., Schroeck, N. ., Blessman, J. ., Rorai, V. ., Cooper-Sargent, M. ., Lichtenberg, P. A., & Trentacosta, C. J. (2022). Engaged communication of environmental health science: Processes and outcomes of urban academic-community partnerships. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 21(1), 7-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2021.1930609

Successful program implementation may depend on the staff administering the program

Schulz, J. H., Stanis, S. A. W., Li, C. J., Morgan, M. ., & Webb, E. B. (2022). Factors affecting staff support of a voluntary nonlead ammunition outreach program. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 21(1), 55-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015X.2021.1943062

Nature-specific learning outside the classroom has measurable socio-emotional, academic and wellbeing benefits for school children across all ages

Mann, J. ., Gray, T. ., Truong, S. ., Brymer, E. ., Passy, R. ., Ho, S. ., … Curry, C. . (2022). Getting out of the classroom and into nature: A systematic review of nature-specific outdoor learning on school children’s learning and development. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.877058

Green space exposure can promote youth development outcomes, but more research is needed in low- and middle-income countries

Sprague, N. L., Bancalari, P. ., Karim, W. ., & Siddiq, S. . (2022). Growing up green: A systematic review of the influence of greenspace on youth development and health outcomes. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-022-00445-6

Mitrochondria readings in primary children suggest that more green space during early life might promote health in later life

Hautekiet, P. ., Saenen, N. D., Aerts, R. ., Martens, D. S., Roels, H. A., Bijnens, E. M., & Nawrot, N. S. (2022). Higher buccal mtDNA content is associated with residential surrounding green in a panel study of primary school children. Environmental Research, 213. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.113551

Loose parts in an outdoor environment can enhance children's play and promote their holistic development.

Boulton, P. ., & Thomas, A. . (2022). How does play in the outdoors afford opportunities for schema development in young children?. International Journal of Play, 11, 184-201. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2022.2069348

Different interactional qualities of teachers are needed to support young children's interest in natural elements

Skalstad, I. ., & Munkebye, E. . (2022). How to support young children’s interest development during exploratory natural science activities in outdoor environments. Teaching and Teacher Education, 120. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103687

Family is a strong determinant of open space use

Freeman, C. ., Buttery, Y. ., & van Heezik, Y. . (2022). Nature exposure and use of open spaces in three generation families: Implications for planning. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 65, 562-582. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.1891870

Nature-based early childhood education may support children's growth in multiple areas of social, emotional, and cognitive development

Johnstone, A. ., Martin, A. ., Cordovil, R. ., Fjørtoft, I. ., Iivonen, S. ., Jidovtseff, B. ., … Wells, V. . (2022). Nature-based early childhood education and children’s social, emotional and cognitive development: A mixed-methods systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105967

Empathy-based stories can be useful for collecting children’s perspectives on urban green spaces across different cultural-geographic contexts

Shu, X. ., Mesimaki, M. ., Kotze, J. ., Wales, M. ., Xie, L. ., Benicke, R. ., & Lehvavirta, S. . (2022). Needs and expectations of German and Chinese children for livable urban green spaces revealed by the method of empathy-based stories. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 65. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127476

Unsupervised, risky play in dangerous communities may pose hazards to children

Janik, A. . (2022). Outdoor (anti-)play spaces and places: a qualitative study of Polish large city backyards seen from children’s perspective. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2022.2127111

Neighborhood socioeconomic status moderates the way park and neighborhood environments influence children's park-based physical activity in a high-density city

Zhang, R. ., Zhang, C. ., Lai, P. C., & Kwan, M. . (2022). Park and neighbourhood environmental characteristics associated with park-based physical activity among children in a high-density city. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127479

More vulnerable groups live near and have access to parks, but they are less attractive

Biernacka, M. ., Lasziewicz, E. \, & Kronenberg, J. . (2022). Park availability, accessibility, and attractiveness in relation to the least and most vulnerable inhabitants. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 73. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127585

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, 4-26. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2021.1875274