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 201 - 250 of 2107

Review of the literature calls for further investigations and the development of theories outlining the formation of nature connectedness

Lengieza, M. L., & Swim, J. K. (2021). The paths to connectedness: A review of the antecedents of connectedness to nature. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.763231

The type, context, and condition of natural settings should be considered in the design and management of school grounds

Aminpour, F. . (2021). The physical characteristics of children’s preferred natural settings in primary school grounds. Urban Forestry &Amp; Urban Greening. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127163

Preschoolers engage in significantly more risky play outdoors than indoors

Sandseter, E. B. H., Kleppe, R. ., & Sando, O. J. (2021). The prevalence of risky play in young children’s indoor and outdoor free play. Early Childhood Education Journal, 49, 303-312. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-020-01074-0

Garden-based learning may promote positive emotions and cooperative behavior

Pollin, S. ., & Retzlaff-Fürst, C. . (2021). The school garden: A social and emotional place. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.567720

Transit agencies have a role to play in addressing environmental injustices relating to park access

Park, K. ., Rigolon, A. ., Choi, D. ., Lyons, T. ., & Brewer, S. . (2021). Transit to parks: An environmental justice study of transit access to large parks in the U.S. West. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 60. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127055

Instructors can also benefit from residential outdoor environmental education (ROEE) programs

Mateer, T. J., Taff, D. ., Hunt, C. A., Allison, P. ., & Will, E. . (2021). Understanding emerging adult identity development through work at a residential outdoor environmental education program: an application of social practice theory. Environmental Education Research, 27(9), 1383-1400. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1927994

Three areas of improvement for relating environmental education research and policy

Rickinson, M. ., & McKenzie, M. . (2021). Understanding the research-policy relationship in ESE: insights from the critical policy and evidence use literatures. Environmental Education Research, 27, 480-497.

A climate change toolkit can make place-based education more effective

Khadka, A. ., Li, C. J., Stanis, S. W., & Morgan, M. . (2021). Unpacking the power of place-based education in climate change communication. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 20, 77-91.

Urban agriculture has the potential to simultaneously provide multiple benefits to people and the planet

Kingsley, J. ., Egerer, M. ., Nuttman, S. ., Keniger, L. ., Pettitt, P. ., Frantzeskaki, N. ., … Marsh, P. . (2021). Urban agriculture as a nature-based solution to address socio-ecological challenges in Australian cities. Urban Forestry &Amp; Urban Greening, 60. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127059

Male preschoolers may respond especially well to gardening programs in developing visual-motor integration

Sommerfeld, A. J., McFarland, A. ., Waliczek, T. M., & Zajicek, J. . (2021). Use of gardening programs as an intervention to increase children’s visual-motor integration. HortTechnology, 31. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH04887-21

Civic ecology in environmental education can build social-ecological resilience in at risk communities

Maharramli, B. ., Bredow, V. L., & Goodwin, L. . (2021). Using civic ecology education to foster social-ecological resilience: A case study from Southern California. The Journal of Environmental Education, 52(6), 445-462. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2021.1999886

Value-belief-norm theory can help educators develop effective messages

Caplow, S. . (2021). Using value-belief-norm theory to explore visitor responses to education programs at animal-themed facilities. The Journal of Environmental Education, 52, 190-204.

Drawing on families' lived experiences and assets may promote more inclusive outdoor adventure education programming

Cook, R. . (2021). Utilising the community cultural wealth framework to explore Sierra Leonean parents’ experiences of outdoor adventure education in the United Kingdom. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2021.1902825

Ethiopian environmental textbooks present an anthropocentric view of nature, need reform

Gugssa, M. A., Aasetre, J. ., & Debele, M. L. (2021). Views of "nature", the "environment" and the "human-nature" relationships in Ethiopian primary school textbooks. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, 30(2), 148-163. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2020.1763564

Understanding urban park uses and evaluating visitor perspectives can help create more accessible, welcoming spaces

Talal, M. L., & Santelmann, M. V. (2021). Visitor access, use, and desired improvements in urban parks. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127216

Overlapping factors in personal interpretation influence visitors' outcomes

Cook, K. J., Hvenegaard, G. T., & Halpenny, E. A. (2021). Visitor perceptions of the outcomes of personal interpretation in Alberta’s Provincial Parks. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 20, 49-65.

Park visitors' attitudes towards effectiveness and ease of Leave No Trace affect compliance

Coulson, E. ., Park, L. ., Lawhon, B. ., Taff, D. ., Vagias, W. ., & Newman, P. . (2021). Visitors’ attitudes and behavioral intentions toward Leave No Trace on a national forest. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 20, 1-18.

Dance and body movement can help young students understand and embody weather

Pollitt, J. ., Blaise, M. ., & Rooney, T. . (2021). Weather bodies: experimenting with dance improvisation in environmental education in the early years. Environmental Education Research, 27(8), 1141-1151. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2021.1926434

Youths' everyday climate crisis activism can make important contributions to a more sustainable future

Trott, C. D. (2021). What difference does it make? Exploring the transformative potential of everyday climate crisis activism by children and youth. Children’s Geographies. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2020.1870663

Environmental education organizations can facilitate a motivating workplace for educators

Pratson, D. ., Stern, M. J., & Powell, R. B. (2021). What organizational factors motivate environmental educators to perform their best?. The Journal of Environmental Education, 52, 256-271.

Preschool children find ways to use the affordances of an outdoor setting through different seasons and various weather conditions

Elliott, H. . (2021). Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot ... children’s play preferences outdoors across a year in one private pre-school setting. International Journal of Play, 10, 25-42. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21594937.2021.1878771

Structural and cultural barriers hinder the engagement of children and youth with nature outside of school time

Waite, S. ., Husain, F. ., Scandone, B. ., Forsyth, E. ., & Piggott, H. . (2021). ‘It’s not for people like (them)’: structural and cultural barriers to children and young people engaging with nature outside schooling. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2021.1935286

Arts-based environmental education can be effective in promoting nature connectedness and pro-environmental agency

Raatikainen, K. J., Juhola, K. ., Huhmarniemi, M. ., & Peña-Lagos, H. . (2020). "Face the cow": Reconnecting to nature and increasing capacities for pro-environmental agency. Ecosystems and People, 16, 273-289. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2020.1817151

Urban Indigenous youth identify connections with nature as a source of resilience and health

Morton, D. ., Bird-Naytowhow, K. ., Pearl, T. ., & Hatala, A. R. (2020). "Just because they aren’t human doesn’t mean they aren’t alive": The methodological potential of photovoice to examine human-nature relations as a source of resilience and health among urban Indigenous youth. Health & Place, 61. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102268

Ecotherapy may promote mental wellbeing and therefore be helpful in dealing with COVID-related emotional issues

Chaudhury, P. ., & Banerjee, D. . (2020). "Recovering with nature": A review of ecotherapy and implications for the COVID-19 pandemic. Frontiers in Public Health, 8. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.604440

Children using a virtual reality device for nature-based therapy after extensive surgical procedures reported a decrease in pain, anxiety, and nausea

Kucher, N. ., Larson, J. ., Fischer, G. ., Mertaugh, M. ., Peterson, L. ., & Gershan, L. . (2020). 3-Dimensional nature-based therapeutics in pediatric patients with total pancreatectomy and isletauto-transplant. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 48. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102249

A group of teachers in Norway rarely linked their outdoor teaching practices to sustainable development

Aksland, C. ., & Rundgren, S. N. C. (2020). 5th-10th-grade in-service teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for sustainable development in outdoor environment. Journal of Adventure Eduction and Outdoor Learning, 20, 274-283. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2019.1697713

Using social media as a tool to encourage pro-environmental action in families

Léger, M. T., & Martin, S. . (2020). A Collective Case Study into the Use of Social Media as a Tool for Developing Sustainable Living Habits in Urban Families. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education (CJEE), 23, 132-149.

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

Stevenson, K. ., Moore, R. ., Cosco, N. ., Floyd, M. ., Sullivan, W. ., Brink, L. ., … Zaplatosch, J. . (2020). A national research agenda supporting green schoolyard development and equitable access to nature. Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene, 8. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1525/elementa.406

Photovoice can serve as an equitable method, but emancipatory outcomes are needed

Derr, V. ., & Simons, J. . (2020). A review of photovoice applications in environment, sustainability, and conservation contexts: is the method maintaining its emancipatory intents?. Environmental Education Research, 26, 359-380.

Nature-related elements in healthcare facilities can promote children's health and well-being

Gaminiesfahani, H. ., Lozanovska, M. ., & Tucker, R. . (2020). A scoping review of the impact on children of the built environment design characteristics of healing spaces. Health Environments Research & Design Journal. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1937586720903845

Mindfulness in nature could promote transcendent and holistic understandings consistent with indigenous cultures' beliefs

Adams, D. ., & Beauchamp, G. . (2020). A study of the experiences of children aged 7-11 taking part in mindful approaches in local nature reserves. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2020.1736110

Providing innovative and participatory approaches for climate change education can empower children and young people

Rousell, D. ., & Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, A. . (2020). A systematic review of climate change education: giving children and young people a ‘voice’ and a ‘hand’ in redressing climate change. Children’s Geographies, 18, 191-208. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2019.1614532

Socioeconomic factors influenced the frequency of green space visits before and during the COVID pandemic

Uchiyama, Y. ., & Kohsaka, R. . (2020). Access and use of green areas during the COVID-19 pandemic: Green infrastructure management in the "new normal". Sustainability, 12. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su12239842

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. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241102

The therapeutic and protective potential of nature for children with adverse childhood experiences warrants the attention of researchers and practitioners

Touloumakos, A. K., & Barrable, A. . (2020). Adverse childhood experiences: The protective and therapeutic potential of nature. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1-9. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.597935

Nature-based environmental education programs may improve health-related quality of life and STEM capacity in low-income Black and Hispanic youth

Sprague, N. ., Berrigan, D. ., & Ekenga, C. . (2020). An analysis of the educational and health-related benefits of nature-based environmental education in low-income Black and Hispanic children. Health Equity, 4, 198-210. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/heq.2019.0118

Tailored educational experiences and hands-on activities positively affect student learning

Collins, C. ., Corkery, I. ., McKeown, S. ., McSweeney, L. ., Flannery, K. ., Kennedy, D. ., & O’Riordan, R. . (2020). An educational intervention maximizes children’s learning during a zoo or aquarium visit. The Journal of Environmental Education, 51, 361-380.

Positive correlation between environmental knowledge and attitudes found in Korean middle school students

Choe, J.-H. ., Kim, C.-H. ., & Ri, G.-H. . (2020). An investigation on the environmental knowledge and attitudes of senior middle school students in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. International Research in Geographical & Environmental Education, 29, 146-162.

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

Schroder, U. L., 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, 1088-1111. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2020.1779186

Combining anthropomorphism and factual information to increase wildlife knowledge among children

Kamil, P. I., Susianto, H. ., Purwandana, D. ., & Ariefiandy, A. . (2020). Anthropomorphic and factual approaches in Komodo dragon conservation awareness program for elementary school students: Initial study. Applied Environmental Education & Communication, 19, 225-237.

A “pathways to nature connectedness” framework can inform different segments of society on how to be more effective in fostering closer human-nature relationships

Richardson, M. ., Dobson, J. ., Abson, D. J., Lumber, R. ., Hunt, A. ., Young, R. ., & Moorhouse, B. . (2020). Applying the pathways to nature connectedness at a societal scale: A leverage points perspective. Ecosystems and People, 16, 387-401. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2020.1844296

Contemporary children's experience of nature (which includes mediated experiences) is significantly higher than the experience of nature for children in 1900

Novotný, P. ., Zimová, E. ., Mazouchová, A. ., & Šorgo, A. . (2020). Are children actually losing contact with nature, or is it that their experiences differ from those of 120 years ago?. Environment and Behavior. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916520937457

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, 10-30.

Using Importance-Performance Analysis can help set the direction for sustainability-focused landscape planning and management

Lee, J. ., Kweon, B. ., Ellis, C. D., & Lee, S. . (2020). Assessing the social value of ecosystem services for resilient riparian greenway planning and management in an urban community. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17093261

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. ., … Dadvand, P. . (2020). Association of greenspace exposure with telomere length in preschool children. Environmental Pollution, 266, 1-10. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115228

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. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106265

Improving access to and contact with nature may promote pro-environmental behavior

Alcock, I. ., White, M. ., Pahl, S. ., Duarte-Davidson, R. ., & Fleming, L. . (2020). Associations between pro-environmental behaviour and neighbourhood nature, nature visit frequency and nature appreciation: Evidence from a nationally representative survey in England. Environment International, 136. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.105441

Attachment to nature through sensory experiences may help a young child develop a felt sense of God

Christian, B. J. (2020). Attachment, nature, and the young child’s felt sense of God. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 29, 47-60. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10656219.2020.1731031

Both social and structural elements of urban parks contribute to feelings of safety

Groshong, L. ., Stanis, S. A. W., Kaczynski, A. T., & Hipp, J. A. (2020). Attitudes about perceived park safety among residents in low-Income and high minority Kansas City, Missouri, neighborhoods. Environment and Behavior, 52, 639-665. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916518814291