Planning and Evaluating Interpretive Programs Using Nature Connection

Connection to nature is a growing area of study and there is consensus that increases in that connection lead to positive individual health outcomes. There is also a growing body of evidence that suggests it could be predictive of increased pro environmental behaviors (PEBs). This article highlights research on nature connection and discusses its implications for interpretation. It then describes a program called “Restorative Birdwatching” inspired by the “Five Pathways to nature connection” created by the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby. Using the PANAS and IINS scales, researchers measured participants’ mood and nature connection with pre and post surveys. The results show a relationship between the activity and mood improvement as well as increased nature connection. They corroborate the findings of larger, more scientifically robust studies and demonstrate the viability of nature connection as a modality for interpretive program design and evaluation.