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 51 - 100 of 2107

The preschool curriculum in Sweden reflects children’s agency in education for sustainability

Borg, F. ., & Samuelsson, I. P. (2022). Preschool children’s agency in education for sustainability: The case of Sweden. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 30, 147-163. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2022.2026439

Children’s inclusion and participation in public spaces can promote urban resilience during natural disasters

Caro, M. S., Canales, J. L., & Guéguen, A. E. (2022). Public space and urban resilience: Children’s perspectives. The case of the hills of Valparaíso, Chile. Children’s Geographies, 20, 206-219. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2021.1925633

Mentalization-based family therapy in outdoor settings may promote family connectedness and connectedness to nature

Mattsson, M. ., Fernee, C. R., Pärnänen, K. ., & Lyytinen, P. . (2022). Restoring connectedness in and to nature: Three Nordic examples of recontextualizing family therapy to the outdoors. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.768614

Access to urban green space in Mexico City is linked to the socioeconomic status of the neighborhood

Huerta, C. M. (2022). Rethinking the distribution of urban green spaces in Mexico City: Lessons from the COVID-19 outbreak. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 70. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127525

More research is needed to understand the impact of climate change awareness on children's mental wellbeing and emotions

Martin, G. ., Reilly, K. ., Everitt, H. ., & Gilliland, J. A. (2022). Review: The impact of climate change awareness on children’s mental well-being and negative emotions – a scoping review. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 27, 59-72. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12525

Ensuring access to natural spaces and private gardens close to home may help limit disparities to nature exposure

Olsen, J. R., Caryl, F. M., McCrorie, P. ., & Mitchell, R. . (2022). Socioeconomic inequality in Scottish children’s exposure to and use of natural space and private gardens, measured by GPS. Landscape and Urban Planning, 223. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104425

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, 67-86. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/0886571X.2022.2096169

More research is needed to understand whether nature-based therapy is effective, for whom and why

Lane, D. ., & Reed, P. . (2022). The nature space. A reflexive thematic analysis of therapists’ experiences of 1:1 nature-based counselling and psychotherapy with children and young people: Exploring perspectives on the influence of nature within the therapeutic process. British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/capr.12531

Early childhood teachers in Norway foster respect for the environment but do not address the social and economic dimensions of sustainable development

Meland, A. T. (2022). Tracking education for sustainable development in ECEC institutions’ annual plans. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 30, 791-805. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2021.2008464

Nature therapy can promote resiliency and trauma recovery in children

Fisher, C. . (2022). Trauma-Informed nature therapy: A case study. Ecopsychology. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/eco.2022.0064

Adolescents express more positive emotional responses to natural vs. built design features in an urban environment

Buttazzoni, A. ., Dean, J. ., & Minaker, L. . (2022). Urban design and adolescent mental health: A qualitative examination of adolescent emotional responses to pedestrian- and transit-oriented design and cognitive architecture concepts. Health and Place, 76. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102825

Schools in Santiago, Chile mimic the vegetation inequalities seen throughout the city

Fernández, I. ., Pérez-Silva, R. ., & Villalobos-Araya, E. . (2022). Vegetation cover within and around schools in Santiago de Chile: Are schools helping to mitigate urban vegetation inequalities?. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 70. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2022.127520

Cognitive, emotional, and sensory learning can inspire systemic environmental change

Goldman, D. ., Alkaher, I. ., & Aram, I. . (2021). "Looking garbage in the eyes": From recycling to reducing consumerism- transformative environmental education at a waste treatment facility. The Journal of Environmental Education, 52(6), 398-416. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2021.1952397

State standards and political affiliation influence teaching about climate change in TX and CA

Khalidi, R. ., & Ramsey, J. . (2021). A comparison of California and Texas secondary science teachers’ perceptions of climate change. Environmental Education Research, 27, 669-686.

New model gives six strategies for EE educators

Bowers, A. W., & Creamer, E. G. (2021). A grounded theory systematic review of environmental education for secondary students in the United States. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 30(3), 184-201. https://doi.org/10.1080/10382046.2020.1770446

Research using simulated natural environments yield new insights into Attention Restoration Theory

Crossan, C. ., & Salmoni, A. . (2021). A simulated walk in nature: Testing predictions from the attention restoration theory. Environment and Behavior, 53, 277-295. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916519882775

Affordances of small animals may promote sustainability goals for young children

Lerstrup, I. ., Chawla, L. ., & Heft, H. . (2021). Affordances of small animals for young children: A path to environmental values of care. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 9, 58-76.

A review of curricular updates in technology subjects for students in Ireland

McGarr, O. ., & Lynch, R. . (2021). Analysing the construction of ’sustainability’ in lower secondary school technology syllabi in Ireland. Environmental Education Research, 27(7), 992-1010. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1903837

Forest healing programs can positively improve the interpersonal relationship skills of adolescents in foster care

Hong, J. ., Park, S. ., & An, M. . (2021). Are forest healing programs useful in promoting children’s emotional welfare?: The interpersonal relationships of children in foster care. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127034

Schools can mitigate children's declining contact with nature, but various spatial, cultural, and social factors tend to impede the process

Walker, E. ., Bormpoudakis, D. ., & Tzanopoulos, J. . (2021). Assessing challenges and opportunities for schools’ access to nature in England. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127097

Wildflower seed packets lead to pollinator-friendly behaviors, though more follow-up is needed

Kerr, K. C. R., & Harricharan, A. K. (2021). Assessing the impact of complimentary wildflower seed packets as an outreach tool for promoting pollinator conservation at a zoo. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 20, 92-106.

Gender and temperament can influence how and to what extent children benefit from exposure to nature

Cui, W. ., & Yang, Z. . (2021). Association between connection to nature and children’s happiness in China: Children’s negative affectivity and gender as moderators. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23, 47-63. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00386-1

Views of natural elements can contribute to the subjective well-being of primary students

Lindemann-Matthies, P. ., Benkowitz, D. ., & Hellinger, F. . (2021). Associations between the naturalness of window and interior classroom views, subjective well-being of primary school children and their performance in an attention and concentration test. Landscape and Urban Planning, 214. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104146

Developing effective conservation messages for students and community members

Gonzalez, A. M., & Reynolds-Tylus, T. . (2021). Attitude-intention consistency in the context of energy and water conservation: Examining the moderating role of vested interest. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 20, 319-333.

Environmental education should consider non-human centered approaches to teaching for better understanding of animal welfare issues

Almeida, A. ., & Fernández, B. G. (2021). Attitudes towards animal welfare in Portuguese students from the 6th and the 9th year of schooling: implications for environmental education. Environmental Education Research, 27, 911-935.

Dominant contemporary narratives in the literature tend to exclude infants and toddlers from the outdoors

Kemp, K. ., & Josephidou, J. . (2021). Babies and toddlers outdoors: A narrative review of the literature on provision for under twos in ECEC settings. Early Years. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2021.1915962

Increased time in Oslo green spaces during COVID is sustained post-lockdown

Venter, Z. S., Barton, B. N., Gundersen, V. ., Figari, H. ., & Nowell, M. S. (2021). Back to nature: Norwegians sustain increased recreation use of urban green space months after the COVID-19 outbreak. Landscape and Urban Planning, 214. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104175

Applying personal experience may help students better understand complex environmental topics

Wiegelmann, J. ., & Zabel, J. . (2021). Biodiversity researchers as a model for school students: An innovative approach to foster meaningful understanding?. Environmental Education Research, 27(8), 1245-1262. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1905780

Pre-service course positively influences educators' interest and self-efficacy in leading field trips

Ordon, K.-J. ., Bartelheimer, M. ., & Asshoff, R. . (2021). Biology student teachers’ interest and self-efficacy in planning and conducting field trips after participation in a university course. Environmental Education Research, 27, 88-109.

Professional development program builds confidence in teaching climate change

Li, C. J., Monroe, M. C., Oxarart, A. ., & Ritchie, T. . (2021). Building teachers’ self-efficacy in teaching about climate change through educative curriculum and professional development. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 20, 34-48.

Lessons learned from Taiwan's nationwide education for sustainable development program

Huang, Y.-S. ., Harvey, B. ., & Asghar, A. . (2021). Bureaucratic exercise? Education for sustainable development in Taiwan through the stories of policy implementers. Environmental Education Research, 27, 1099-1114.

How Canadian environmental artists see their work as a form of environmental education

Yakamovich, J. ., & Wright, T. . (2021). Care-full, convivial, curious: Weaving Canadian artists’ conceptions of art as a form of transformative environmental education. The Journal of Environmental Education, 52, 223-238.

A cultural adaptation model can be useful in developing questionnaires for specific populations

Sedawi, W. ., Assaraf, O. B. Z., & Reiss, B. J. (2021). Challenges in measuring “connectedness to nature” among indigenous children: Lessons from the Negev Bedouin. Cultural Studies of Science Education, 16, 193-229. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-020-09995-3

Appreciative outdoor activities during childhood promote connection to nature and environmental-citizenship behaviors

Hoover, K. S. (2021). Children in nature: Exploring the relationship between childhood outdoor experience and environmental stewardship. Environmental Education Research, 27, 894-910. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2020.1856790

Young children, with support of early childhood educators, have the ability to be meaningfully involved in ecologically sustainable practices

Konerman, R. ., Elliott, S. ., Pugh, R. ., Luthy, T. ., & Carr, V. . (2021). Children’s agency and action in nature preschool: A tale of two programs. Children, Youth and Environments, 31, 139-150. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.31.2.0139

Citizen science programs can improve environmental knowledge and behaviors

Morales, P. K., Roslan, N. ., Haas, A. ., & Lykins, A. D. (2021). Citizen science engagement: Lessons learned from the ClimateWatch “Scientist for a Day” program. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 20, 393-405.

The limit of citizen science programs in the classroom

Williams, K. A., Hall, T. E., & O’Connell, K. . (2021). Classroom-based citizen science: impacts on students’ science identity, nature connectedness, and curricular knowledge. Environmental Education Research, 27(7), 1037-1053. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1927990

Climate change disproportionately impacts poor countries, poor children within these countries, and low-income populations living near the equator

Arpin, E. ., Gauffin, K. ., Kerr, M. ., Hjern, A. ., Mashford-Pringle, A. ., Barros, A. ., … Spencer, N. . (2021). Climate change and child health inequality: A review of reviews. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010896

University leadership program builds skills to tackle climate change

Rubin, L. ., & Witherspoon, N. . (2021). Climate Change, Environmental Justice and Children’s Health: Break the Cycle of Climate Change by Cultivating Future Leaders. Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk, 12(1). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/childrenatrisk/vol12/iss1/7

Clinical Ecopsychology focuses on the mental health impacts and underlying pathways of ecological adversity

Thoma, M. V., Rohleder, N. ., & Rohner, S. L. (2021). Clinical Ecopsychology: The mental health impacts and underlying pathways of the climate and environmental crisis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.675936

Optional conservation recommendations are more effective than mandates

Gonzalez, A. M., Reynolds-Tylus, T. ., & Quick, B. L. (2021). Clustering energy and water conservation behaviors as choices: examining the moderating roles of message elaboration and involvement. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 20, 139-154.

Exploring family values, social norms, and experiences of nature can enhance connection to nature

Oh, R. ., Fielding, K. ., Nghiem, L. ., Chang, C. ., Carrasco, L. ., & Fuller, R. . (2021). Connection to nature is predicted by family values, social norms and personal experiences of nature. Global Ecology and Conservation, 26. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01632

Traditional variables expected to predict pro-environmental attitude and behaviors relating to estuary health prove to be insignificant

Monroe, M. C., Crandall, C. ., & Maynard, L. T. (2021). Conservation behavior can defy traditional predictors. The Journal of Environmental Education, 52, 149-161.

Nature helped people from different countries cope with lockdown during COVID-19

Pouso, S. ., Borja, A. ., Fleming, L. E., Gómez-Baggethun, E. ., White, M. P., & Ulyarra, M. C. (2021). Contact with blue-green spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown beneficial for mental health. Science of the Total Environment, 756. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143984

Nature play is a valid contributor to sustainability outcomes

Ernst, J. ., McAllister, K. ., Siklander, P. ., & Storli, R. . (2021). Contributions to sustainability through young children’s nature play: A systematic review. Sustainability, 13, 1-36. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13137443

Effects of pandemic policies on children's emotions in Portugal

Rios, C. ., Neilson, A. L., & Menezes, I. . (2021). COVID-19 and the desire of children to return to nature: Emotions in the face of environmental and intergenerational injustices. The Journal of Environmental Education, 52, 335-346.

The negative impact of COVID-related stressors on children and adolescents call for a robust public health response

de Figueiredo, C. S., Sandre, P. C., Portugal, L. C. L., Mazala-de-Oliveira, T. ., Chagas, L. D. S., Rainy, I. ., … Bomfim, P. O. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic impact on children and adolescents’ mental health: Biological, environmental, and social factors. Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 106. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110171

Revised environmental identity scale is effective with a broader, multicultural audience

Clayton, S. ., Czellar, S. ., Nartova-Bochaver, S. ., Skibins, J. ., Salazar, G. ., Tseng, Y.-C. ., … Rodríguez, F. M. (2021). Cross-Cultural Validation of A Revised Environmental Identity Scale. Sustainability, 13(4), 2387+. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042387

Environmental educators can create safe spaces for gender exploration and identity development

Decker, A. ., & Morrison, S. A. (2021). Decoding gender in nature-based education: perceptions of environmental educators. Environmental Education Research, 1-16.

Scaffolded assignments with real-world applications help undergraduates plan for natural hazard resilience

Gouramanis, C. ., & MoralesRamirez, C. A. (2021). Deep understanding of natural hazards based on the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction in a higher education geography module in Singapore. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 30(1), 4-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10382046.2020.1751391