Noticing nearby wildlife at home is associated with enhanced mental health and pro-conservation attitudes

Abstract

The growing disconnect between people and nature—the extinction of experience—is concerning, because direct interactions with nature influence both human well-being and public support for biodiversity conservation. Efforts to enhance these interactions are therefore crucial for fostering a sustainable relationship between humans and nature, but little is known about how to effectively achieve this. A key factor shaping how people engage with nature is their noticing of wildlife. Here, we used an online survey to explore the relationships between urban Japanese residents' noticing of nearby wildlife (specifically birds and butterflies) and their mental health and pro-conservation attitudes. We found that individuals who were more likely to notice birdsong and sight birds at their homes tended to have less depression. In addition, those who noticed butterflies reported stronger pro-conservation attitudes. Noticing of nearby birds was greater among individuals living on properties that had more native tree species, and noticing of both birds and butterflies was greater in those in areas with greater surrounding greenspace coverage. These findings suggest that promoting urban residents' noticing of wildlife through strategies such as wildlife gardening and urban greening is crucial for mitigating the negative consequences of the ongoing loss of human–nature interactions. Given that most people's nature experiences occur primarily in residential areas, fostering experiences of wildlife within these spaces could be a key step in reconnecting people with nature.