Survey, waiver, and data evaluating human-nature connection in urban parks

Human-nature connection (HNC) is a concept derived from investigating the formulation and extent of an individual’s identification with the natural world. This relationship is often characterized as an emotional bond to nature that develops from the contextualized, physical interactions of an individual, beginning in childhood. This outcome presents complexity in evaluating the development of HNC but suggests optimism in the pathways for enhancing lifelong HNC. As urban populations increase, there is a growing recognition worldwide of the potential for urban green space to cultivate HNC and thus shape the environmental identity of urban residents. The results of an online survey of 560 visitors to three community parks (managed primarily to provide a variety of physical, social and cultural opportunities) and three conservation parks (managed primarily to protect native plants and wildlife) in Madison, Wisconsin, USA, were used to investigate HNC. Linear mixed effects models evaluated visitors’ HNC as a function of their (1) literacy and sentiment about wildlife species, (2) park experience, (3) number and frequency of nine childhood and adult recreation experiences, and (4) demographics. Across the park response groups, the number and frequency of childhood and adult recreation experiences was significantly associated with HNC, and this positive association persisted in multiple recreation activities. Furthermore, species literacy and sentiment, visiting a park for 'Nature', and frequent and extended visitation also was significantly associated with HNC by park type. Our research demonstrates the importance of lifelong recreation experiences in the development and enhancement of HNC and provides evidence for differences in the expression of HNC associated with particular attributes of urban park visitors and their views of wildlife.人与自然联结（Human-nature connection, HNC）是一种源于探究个体对自然世界的认同程度与建构方式的概念。该关系通常被定义为一种对自然的情感联结，源于个体自童年时期起便展开的情境化、具身化互动。这一特性使得对人与自然联结发展程度的评估颇具复杂性，但同时也为提升个体终身的人与自然联结水平提供了积极可行的路径。随着全球城市人口持续增长，各界日益认识到城市绿地在培育人与自然联结、进而塑造城市居民环境身份认同方面的潜在价值。本研究针对美国威斯康星州麦迪逊市的3座社区公园（主要功能为提供丰富的身体活动、社交与文化体验场景）与3座保护公园（主要功能为保护本土植物与野生动物）的560名访客开展线上调查，并以该调查结果探究人与自然联结的相关问题。本研究采用线性混合效应模型，将访客的人与自然联结水平作为以下变量的函数进行评估：(1) 对野生动物物种的认知素养与情感倾向，(2) 公园游览经历，(3) 9项童年与成年休闲体验的数量与发生频率，(4) 人口统计学特征。在不同公园类型的受访群体中，童年与成年休闲体验的数量与频率均与人与自然联结水平呈显著正相关，且该正向关联在多种休闲活动中均保持稳定。此外，针对不同公园类型的亚组分析显示，野生动物认知素养与情感倾向、以‘亲近自然’为目的的公园到访、高频次与长时间的公园游览均与人与自然联结水平显著相关。本研究证实了终身休闲体验在人与自然联结的建构与提升过程中的重要作用，并为城市公园访客的个体特征及其对野生动物的看法所带来的人与自然联结表现差异提供了实证依据。