Roots of resilience: Assessing child and adolescent nature connectivity in the Mediterranean Region of Murcia (Spain)

Abstract Children today spend less time outdoors than previous generations, with potential consequences for health, learning and pro‐environmental attitudes. We assessed children's connection with and exposure to nature in a Mediterranean setting using the Nature Connection and Experience Index (NCEI), a composite measure that integrates an affective–cognitive connection‐to‐nature module with indicators of everyday nature experiences. A school‐based cross‐sectional survey (4 March–4 April 2022) was conducted in 50 randomly selected public schools in the Region of Murcia (Spain). The questionnaire (26 items) was completed by 3395 pupils aged 7–17 years (overall response 67.2%). Psychometric checks supported the CN block. Only about one in four pupils reported daily or near‐daily contact with nature across the year; approximately three in four met criteria for Nature Experience Deficit (<1 h/day, annual measure). NCEI scores declined with age and were higher in girls than boys. Lower scores were observed in more urban and socio‐economically unequal municipalities, whereas participation in outdoor lessons was positively associated with NCEI. These findings point to a substantial nature‐experience gap in childhood and adolescence. Embedding regular outdoor learning into timetables and improving access to nearby green and blue spaces—particularly in urban and disadvantaged areas—could strengthen children's everyday relationship with nature, with co‐benefits for health, learning and sustainability. The NCEI offers a practical tool for monitoring and programme design in schools. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.