This meta-analysis of 29 studies (EY Choe and D Sheffield published online in Environmental Education Research 17 September 2024) explored the impact of experimental manipulations on nature connection in young people (<18 years old).
The results showed such interventions had a significant positive effect on nature connections in children and adolescents.
The presence of environmental education programmes, the quality of engagement with nature, and the duration and frequency of intervention were predictors of effect size.
The quality of engagement may be more important than the type of natural setting.
Important implications for future research and practice are suggested, including the need to understand the factors that contribute to improved nature connection, to examine different nature engagement activities, and to develop interventions with regular nature engagement.
