Nature Connection

Understanding how fostering a connection with nature can benefit people and places in Australia.

Why?

Nature plays a crucial role in human health and wellbeing, but modern lifestyles often limit our connection to the environment. Strengthening this relationship can lead to positive outcomes for mental health, social cohesion, and pro-environmental behaviours. For these reasons, the number one goal in Australia’s Strategy for Nature is to ‘connect all Australians with nature’. This project explores how we are tracking towards that goal, how nature connection influences wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviours in Australia and how we can create pathways to achieve that goal for the benefit of people and environments in Australia.

Who?

Project lead:

Dr Emily Flies, University of Tasmania

Project team:

Dr Pauline Marsh, University of Tasmania

Dr Kate Sollis, University of Tasmania

Professor Jason Byrne, University of Tasmania

Rob Anders, University of Tasmania

Dr Vishnu Prahalad, University of Tasmania

What?

This project explores various ways to enhance nature connection through:

Indigenous-led research – Elevating Indigenous perspectives on human-nature relationships.

Urban greening – Investigating the benefits of and pathways for green spaces in cities.

Nature-based solutions – Exploring policies and programs that use natural systems to address social and environmental challenges.

Nature connection survey – Collecting nationwide data on people’s connection to nature and its relationship with wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviours.