Adults

How we as individuals and as a society define what nature even means, and therefore where it is, impacts where and how we can experience it. At times the definition of nature itself may be part of the problem of the growing disconnection. Adults in our research tended to view nature as wild, uncultivated, and set apart from human influences. Viewing and experiencing what respondents considered to be “authentic” nature required, in their minds, significant commitments of time and resources. For example, 82% of adults surveyed thought of national parks as “nature.” Only 52% said the same thing about local parks.

Adult Americans revealed, both in focus groups and the survey, concern about an increasing separation and disconnection from nature in American society as a whole. Five major causes of this disconnection emerged:

1. Where people live and work makes it difficult to experience the natural world
2. It is difficult to find both time and money to commit to experiences in the outdoors
3. In general, research participants felt an increasing isolation from the natural world
4. Electronic devices and media are a distraction for many from experiencing the natural world
5.  People who participated in this research were challenged by perceptions of shifting expectations about what “good” or “normal” connection to nature should even look and feel like

Many were concerned that problems were particularly harmful to younger generations’ ability and opportunity to experience and benefit from the natural world. In particular, many we spoke to and surveyed emphasized three particular barriers to their activities in nature: a lack of time, a lack of financial resources, and a lack of social support (such as friends and family to be with outdoors).

The majority of adults surveyed reported spending 5 or fewer hours per week outdoors in nature. It is somewhat concerning that most indicated they were satisfied with this degree of contact with the natural environment. Nearly one-half of those who reported spending very little time outdoors in nature each week felt satisfied, although satisfaction did increase among people who reported spending more time outdoors in nature.

Nevertheless, adults in our study ranked their interests in nature as among their more enjoyable or most enjoyable interests. One-half said their interests in nature are more than their parents' interests, and 31% said they were the same. More than one-half said their interests in nature were growing with time.

Adults in our survey value nature in a number of ways. They have affection for nature and wildlife, are attracted to the beauty of nature, appreciate symbolic representations of the natural world, and often find spiritual inspiration in the natural world. Those studied believed that understanding the natural world is beneficial to the intellectual development of children. Furthermore, most disagreed with over-exploitation of the natural world and attempts to control it, especially if doing so had negative consequences for wildlife and habitats.

Most adults recognized that exposure to nature provides them with a variety of benefits to their physical health, psychological well-being, and social growth as individuals and members of communities. They recognized that these benefits occur for themselves personally and for society as a whole.

A number of popular activities in nature included walking, hiking, camping, fishing, visiting zoos and aquariums, exploring the outdoors, wildlife feeding and observation, and gardening.

Most adults said influential, memorable, and even routine experiences in nature occurred with friends and family. Adults whose family and friends were making more time for nature tended to spend more time outdoors in nature each week, were more interested in a range of outdoor activities, and supported increasing programs to help Americans enjoy nature, the outdoors, and wildlife.