Push and pull factors determine adolescents' intentions of participation in nature observation: Reconnecting local students with nature in China

ABSTRACT

Nature experiences are essential for fostering pro-environmental behavior. In this study, a wildlife observation toolbox was provided to students to encourage participation in nature observation clubs. A total of 340 adolescents joined the clubs. We identified the determinants of participation intentions with a mixed approach combing questionnaires and follow-up interviews. Nature connectedness and previous nature experiences were significant “push” factors for participation intention in nature clubs. No interest in plants and animals as “push” factor discouraged participation. This study highlights the importance of nature connectedness and makes another call for changing adolescents' environmental perception and access to nature.

Acknowledgments

We thank the schoolchildren and their school principals for participating in the survey. We thank Zhao Wenya, Yang Zhen, Yang Xi, Wu Meng, Liu Guangyu, Hu Sifan, Gu Hao, and He He for assisting with the investigation during the study. We also thank the three anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on a previous version of this article.

Funding

This study was financially supported by Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanic Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant number: 08ZK141B03).