connecting families with the natural environment

What is it about?

Three life experiences have been found to foster long lasting care for the natural environment: time spent enjoying nature, especially during childhood; a close, often familial, role model for nature appreciation; and participation in a group that takes collective action to care for the environment. Family nature clubs (FNCs) offer all three of these experiences by regularly bringing groups of families together to explore and learn about nature. This article reports on a recent study of over 340 people representing 47 FNCs that sought to understand how these clubs may foster environmental sustainability as well as individual, family, and community well-being. Study results on the effects of FNC participation on family time spent in nature, connectedness with nature, and household environmental behaviors are presented to illuminate the relationship between family time spent in nature and the development of a connection with nature that leads to positive environmental behavior.

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Why is it important?

By bringing families into nature together on a regular basis FNCs create opportunities for multiple generations to share in experiences that cultivate an active love for the natural world. Parents, educators, environmental organizations, family-services providers, local governments and others interested in familial and environmental well-being should make note of FNCs as an accessible way to achieve significant positive outcomes in the communities that they call home and serve.