Can nature-based experiences affect an individual’s connection to nature without

teaching conservation and what is the “stickiness” of such experiences? • Deborah Robertson-Andersson1, Judy Mann-Lang2, Monica

Maroun3;4, Shana Mian1 & Christa Panos4

JEEP JOCKEYS: THE REAL ICONS OF CONSERVATION

• Deborah Robertson-Andersson1, Judy Mann-Lang2, Monica Maroun3;4, Shana Mian1 & Christa Panos4

• Current biodiversity conservation programs can be effective but biodiversity is still decreasing

How do we teach conservation?

• A positive human-nature relationship is essential for countering today’s environmental problems. Frantz et al. (2005) and Nisbet et al. (2009)

• We call this relationship “connectedness”. Schultz (2002a)

• Connectedness to nature defined as “a self-perceived relationship of interconnection between the self and the natural world”. Mayer & Frantz, (2004)

and Schultz et al. (2004)

How do we measure connectedness?

• The New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale (Dunlap et al. 2000; Schultz 2002a)

• The Inclusion of nature in the self (INS) scale (Schultz, 2000; 2001; 2002)

• The Implicit Associations Test (IAT) (Greenwald et al. 1998; Schultz et al 2004)

• The Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) Mayer & Frantz, (2004)

• The Love and Care for Nature (LCN) scale (Perkins, 2010).

• Researchers propose that if you can increase people’s connectedness they are more likely to engage in a range of conservation behaviours (Schultz, 2001; Mayer & Frantz 2004; Gosling & Williams 2010).

How do we expand the sense of self to include the natural environment?

How do we expand the sense of self to include the natural environment?

• Most literature recommends experiential learning in nature

How did we test this?

How did we test this?

What did we find?

• CNS and INS Total Scores

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Before After

CNS_BHEJANE

INS_BHEJANE

CNS_HONS

INS_HONS

What did we find?

• INS Scores

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

BEFORE AFTER

1

6

432

75

643 5643 5

" We went into more details about certain trees helping me be more interested in

plant life"

"I learnt to appreciate nature and it also gave me

the enthusiasm to be a part of conservation"

"staff"

" Without the guide it was a kind of walk, with the guide it was a learning experience"

"I am not a fan of the out doors....I wasn't keen on the trip, but I have done a 180 degree turn and really

enjoyed myself"

"I feel so much cooler because I am filled with fun facts thanks to the Bhejane

staff"

" He made a difference by explaining not only the big animals

but the small insects, birds and trees, this made me a lot more interested into not just the big animals but the small ones"

How can we improve our measurement of the experience?

Measuring knowledge is the traditional approach

BUTKnowledge doesn’t lead to an increase in connectedness

How can we improve our measurement of the experience?

• International Scales require adaptation for them to work in an African Context

• We need more sensitive scales in order to measure attitudes and values

The value of this study

It’s the first time we are trying to measure objectively the impact of an non formal environmental experience in South Africa

We learnt how not to design a questionnaire!

The issue of long term change needs to be addressed

The importance of psychographic pre survey data (INS > 4)

Learnt to challenge our assumptions – a nature based experience is less effective with higher incoming INS

Thank you!