How nature experience and nature connectedness matter to school students' attitudes towards biodiversity

Abstract

Childhood nature experience and nature connectedness are crucial for promoting children's conservation willingness. However, the effects of childhoods spent in densely populated cities are relatively underexplored, particularly those growing up in the world's ‘Valeriepieris circle’ where the majority of the world's population reside. To address this gap, we investigated human-nature relationships among school students in Hong Kong, a global city dominated by high-rise living near the circle's epicentre. Study 1 (N = 200) examined how childhood experiences influence pro-environmental and pro-biodiversity attitudes. Results indicate nature connectedness, but not nature experience, is positively associated with pro-environmental beliefs. Higher affective attitudes towards biodiversity were also associated with lived experience with wild animals, but not nature experience more broadly. Building on Study 1's findings, Study 2 (N = 133) examined students' affective attitudes towards various animal species. Logistic regression suggests: lived experience, knowledge, aesthetic appeal, and flagship species, were significant predictors of positive affective attitudes. Our findings underscore the role of childhood authentic lived experiences with wildlife and nature connectedness in influencing affective attitudes towards biodiversity of children growing up in cities.