Exploring the Impact of a Naturalist Training Camp on Biodiversity Conservation Willingness and Mental Well-Being

Abstract

Engaging the public in naturalist activities has been identified as a promising approach to enhancing conservation awareness and improving mental well-being; however, empirical evidence supporting this relationship remains limited. This study aimed to explore the impact of a naturalist training camp on participants' conservation attitudes and mental well-being. The 9-day camp, organized by the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), focused on increasing participants' knowledge, social connectedness, and naturalist identity through a combination of indoor lectures and outdoor fieldwork on plants, insects, reptiles, and birds. Each session was led by expert researchers and science communicators. A mixed-methods approach was used to assess the camp's effects on 26 participants through questionnaires administered before, immediately after, and 6 months post-camp, as well as phone interviews. Quantitative analysis revealed significant improvements in participants' knowledge of biodiversity, social connectedness, perceived naturalist identity, and mental well-being, although changes in conservation attitudes were not statistically significant. Qualitative data further supported these findings, indicating that enhanced conservation willingness and mental well-being were likely influenced by increased knowledge, social connectedness, and perceived naturalist identity. Interview responses highlighted the importance of the camp's unique environment, supportive atmosphere, and the professionalism of the instructors in contributing to its success. Overall, this study underscores the value of promoting public engagement in naturalist activities as a means of addressing both biodiversity loss and mental health challenges while also advocating for ecological civilization to enhance human and environmental well-being.

Keywords

Botanical garden / mixed methods / naturalist identity / semi-structured interviews / social connectedness

References

[1] Aiman, A., N. A. A. Aziz, N. Saadun, E. L. A. Lin, A. M. Lechner, and B. Azhar. 2022. “Attitudes and Willingness of Local Communities Towards Natural Urban Forest Conservation in a Rapidly Developing Southeast Asia City.” Cities 129: 103832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2022.103832.

[2] Ajzen, I.1991. “The Theory of Planned Behavior.” Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 50: 179–211.

[3] Ballantyne, R., and J. Packer. 2005. “Promoting Environmentally Sustainable Attitudes and Behaviour Through Free-Choice Learning Experiences: What Is the State of the Game?” Environmental Education Research 11, no. 3: 281–295.

[4] Ballantyne, R., and J. Packer. 2009. “Introducing a Fifth Pedagogy: Experience-Based Strategies for Facilitating Learning in Natural Environments.” Environmental Education Research 15, no. 2: 243–262.

[5] Berto, R.2014. “The Role of Nature in Coping With Psycho-Physiological Stress: A Literature Review on Restorativeness.” Behavioral Sciences 4: 394–409. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs4040394.

[6] Bonney, R., C. B. Cooper, J. Dickinson, et al. 2009. “Citizen Science: A Developing Tool for Expanding Science Knowledge and Scientific Literacy.” BioScience 59, no. 11: 977–984.

[7] Bratman, G. N., H. A. Olvera-Alvarez, and J. J. Gross. 2021. “The Affective Benefits of Nature Exposure.” Social and Personality Psychology Compass 15: e12630. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12630.

[8] Bratman, G. N., J. P. Hamilton, K. S. Hahn, G. C. Daily, and J. J. Gross. 2015. “Nature Experience Reduces Rumination and Subgenual Prefrontal Cortex Activation.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 112: 8567–8572. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1510459112.

[9] Britton, E., G. Kindermann, C. Domegan, and C. Carlin. 2020. “Blue Care: A Systematic Review of Blue Space Interventions for Health and Wellbeing.” Health Promotion International 35: 50–69.

[10] Cantarero, K., W. A. P. van Tilburg, and E. Smoktunowicz. 2021. “Affirming Basic Psychological Needs Promotes Mental Well-Being During the COVID-19 Outbreak.” Social Psychological and Personality Science 12: 821–828. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550620942708.

[11] Capaldi, C. A., R. L. Dopko, and J. M. Zelenski. 2015. “The Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Happiness: A Meta-Analysis.” Frontiers in Psychology 6: 976.

[12] Chawla, L.1999. “Life Paths Into Effective Environmental Action.” Journal of Environmental Education 31, no. 1: 15–26.

[13] China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA). 2024. 2023 China Mainland Birdwatchers and Birdwatching Organizations Baseline Survey Briefing. Beijing: Chinese Wild Bird Association.

[14] Clayton, S.2003. “ Environmental Identity: A Conceptual and an Operational Definition.” In Identity and the Natural Environment: The Psychological Significance of Nature, edited by S. Clayton and S. Opotow, 45–65. MIT Press.

[15] Colombo, S. L., S. G. Chiarella, C. Lefrançois, J. Fradin, A. Raffone, and L. Simione. 2023. “Why Knowing About Climate Change Is Not Enough to Change: A Perspective Paper on the Factors Explaining the Environmental Knowledge-Action Gap.” Sustainability 15: 14859. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014859.

[16] Ernst, J., and S. Theimer. 2011. “Evaluating the Effects of Environmental Education Programming on Connectedness to Nature.” Environmental Education Research 17, no. 5: 577–598.

[17] Fischer, J., R. Dyball, I. Fazey, et al. 2012. “Human Behavior and Sustainability.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 153–160.

[18] Folke, C., Å. Jansson, J. Rockström, et al. 2011. “Reconnecting to the Biosphere.” Ambio 40: 719–738.

[19] Fosnot, C. T. 2005. Constructivism: Theory, Perspectives, and Practice. 2th ed. Teachers College Press.

[20] Frick, J., F. G. Kaiser, and M. Wilson. 2004. “Environmental Knowledge and Conservation Behavior: Exploring Prevalence and Structure in a Representative Sample.” Personality and Individual Differences 37: 1597–1613.

[21] Fu, S., and K. H. Nielsen. 2023. “Reviving Natural History, Building Ecological Civilisation: The Philosophy and Social Significance of the Natural History Revival Movement in Contemporary China.” Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 10: 377. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01889-3.

[22] Fu, X. L., and K. Zhang. 2023. Report on the Development of National Mental Health in China (2021–2022). Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press (China).

[23] Gonalves-Souza, D., P. H. Verburg, and R. Dobrovolski. 2020. “Habitat Loss, Extinction Predictability, and Conservation Efforts in the Terrestrial Ecoregions.” Biological Conservation 246: 108579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108579.

[24] Haslam, S. A., C. Haslam, T. Cruwys, et al. 2022. “Social Identity Makes Group-Based Social Connection Possible: Implications for Loneliness and Mental Health.” Current Opinion in Psychology 43: 161–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.07.013.

[25] Hazari, Z., G. Sonnert, P. M. Sadler, and M. C. Shanahan. 2010. “Connecting High School Physics Experiences, Outcome Expectations, Physics Identity, and Physics Career Choice: A Gender Study.” Journal of Research in Science Teaching 47: 978–1003. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20363.

[26] Hosbein, K. N., and J. Barbera. 2020. “Alignment of Theoretically Grounded Constructs for the Measurement of Science and Chemistry Identity.” Chemistry Education Research and Practice 21: 371–386. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RP00193J.

[27] Ineson, E. M., T. Jung, C. Hains, and M. Kim. 2013. “The Influence of Prior Subject Knowledge, Prior Ability and Work Experience on Self-Efficacy.” Journal of Hospitality Leisure Sport & Tourism Education 12, no. 1: 59–69.

[28] Jiménez, A., I. Iniesta-arandia, M. Muñoz-santos, B. Martín-lópez, S. K. Jacobson, and J. Benayas. 2014. “Typology of Public Outreach for Biodiversity Conservation Projects in Spain.” Conservation Biology 28: 829–840.

[29] Jordan, R. C., S. A. Gray, D. V. Howe, W. R. Brooks, and J. G. Ehrenfeld. 2011. “Knowledge Gain and Behavioral Change in Citizen-Science Programs.” Conservation Biology 25, no. 6: 1148–1154.

[30] Joye, Y., and S. Dewitte. 2018. “Nature's Broken Path to Restoration: A Critical Look at Attention Restoration Theory.” Journal of Environmental Psychology 59, no. 8: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/72uhz.

[31] Kaiser, F. G., and U. Fuhrer. 2003. “Ecological Behavior's Dependency on Different Forms of Knowledge.” Applied Psychology 52: 598–613.

[32] Kaplan, S.1995. “The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework.” Journal of Environmental Psychology 15: 169–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2.

[33] Keller, J., J. Kayira, L. Chawla, and J. L. Rhoades. 2023. “Forest Bathing Increases Adolescents' Mental Well-Being: A Mixed-Methods Study.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 21, no. 1: 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010008.

[34] Kellert, S. R. and Wilson, E. O., ed. 1993. The Biophilia Hypothesis. Washington, DC: Island Press.

[35] Krasny, M. E., and K. G. Tidball. 2012. “Civic Ecology: A Pathway for Earth Stewardship in Cities.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10, no. 5: 267–273.

[36] Krippendorff, K. 2018. Content Analysis: An Introduction to Its Methodology. 4th ed. Sage Publications.

[37] Lataster, J., J. Reijnders, M. Janssens, M. Simons, S. Peeters, and N. Jacobs. 2022. “Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Well-Being Across Age: A Cross-Sectional General Population Study Among 1709 Dutch Speaking Adults.” Journal of Happiness Studies 23: 2259–2290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00482-2.

[38] Lee, R. M., M. Draper, and S. Lee. 2001. “Social Connectedness, Dysfunctional Interpersonal Behaviors, and Psychological Distress: Testing a Mediator Model.” Journal of Counseling Psychology 48: 310–318. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.48.3.310.

[39] Lin, H., Z. R. Hong, and Y. C. Chen. 2013. “Exploring the Development of College Students' Situational Interest in Learning Science.” International Journal of Science Education 35: 2152–2173. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2013.818261.

[40] Liu, H., H. Nong, H. Ren, and K. Liu. 2022. “The Effect of Nature Exposure, Nature Connectedness on Mental Well-Being and Ill-Being in a General Chinese Population.” Landscape and Urban Planning 222: 104397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104397.

[41] Magill, N. F. 1995. International Encyclopedia of Sociology. New York, NY: Fitzroy Dearborn.

[42] Mascia, M. B., J. P. Brosius, T. A. Dobson, et al. 2003. “Conservation and the Social Sciences.” Conservation Biology 17: 649–650.

[43] Mayer, F. S., and C. M. Frantz. 2004. “The Connectedness to Nature Scale: A Measure of Individuals' Feeling in Community With Nature.” Journal of Environmental Psychology 24, no. 4: 503–515.

[44] Merenlender, A. M., A. W. Crall, S. Drill, M. Prysby, and H. Ballard. 2016. “Evaluating Environmental Education, Citizen Science, and Stewardship Through Naturalist Programs.” Conservation Biology 30: 1255–1265. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12737.

[45] Miller-Rushing, A., R. Primack, and R. Bonney. 2012. “The History of Public Participation in Ecological Research.” Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10: 285–290.

[46] Mitas, O., and M. Bastiaansen. 2018. “Novelty: A Mechanism of Tourists' Enjoyment.” Annals of Tourism Research 72: 98–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2018.07.002.

[47] Mraz, J. A. 2015. Identities and Motives of Naturalist Development Program Attendees and Their Relation to Professional Careers. Doctoral dissertation, The University of Southern Mississippi.

[48] Nolan, J. M., P. W. Schultz, R. B. Cialdini, N. J. Goldstein, and V. Griskevicius. 2008. “Normative Social Influence Is Underdetected.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 34: 913–923. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167208316691.

[49] O'Brien, L., M. Townsend, and M. Ebden. 2010. “‘Doing Something Positive’: Volunteers' Experiences of the Well-Being Benefits Derived From Practical Conservation Activities in Nature.” Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations 21, no. 4: 525–545.

[50] Office of National Statistics (ONS). 2011. Measuring Subjective Wellbeing. London: Office of National Statistics.

[51] Pan, X. C.2018. “Research on Xi Jinping's Thought of Ecological Civilization and Environment Sustainable Development.” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 153: 062067. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/153/6/062067.

[52] Robbins, T. R., A. Mayes, and J. Thomas. 2021. “Exploring Community Initiatives That Produce High Quality Volunteers: Citizen Science and Master Naturalist Programs in the United States.” Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies 41: 53–60. https://doi.org/10.32873/unl.dc.tnas.41.5.

[53] Ryan, R. M., and E. L. Deci. 2017. Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness. The Guilford Press.

[54] Sachs, A. 2022. Nature Prescribed: Evaluating Social Outdoor Activity as a Solution to Loneliness. Doctoral dissertation, University of Colorado.

[55] Sandra, D., J. Settele, S. Eduardo, Brondízio, et al. 2019. “Pervasive Human-Driven Decline of Life on Earth Points to the Need for Transformative Change.” Science 366, no. 6471. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aax3100.

[56] Schmidly, D. J.2005. “What It Means to Be a Naturalist and the Future of Natural History at American Universities.” Journal of Mammalogy 86: 449–456.

[57] Shao, G.2023. “A Model of Teacher Enthusiasm, Teacher Self-Efficacy, Grit, and Teacher Well-Being Among English as a Foreign Language Teacher.” Frontiers in Psychology 14: 1169824. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1169824.

[58] Smith, T. B., and L. Silva. 2011. “Ethnic Identity and Personal Well-Being of People of Color: A Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Counseling Psychology 58: 42–60. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021528.

[59] Steg, L., G. Perlaviciute, and E. van der Werff. 2015. “Understanding the Human Dimensions of a Sustainable Energy Transition.” Frontiers in Psychology 6: 805. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00805.

[60] Stets, J. E., and C. F. Biga. 2003. “Bringing Identity Theory Into Environmental Sociology.” Sociological Theory 21, no. 4: 398–423.

[61] Sun, Y. 2016. Naturalist Urges Interaction With World Around Us. China Daily. Accessed June 23, 2024. https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2016-01/14/content_23080611.htm.

[62] Ulrich, R. S.1983. “Aesthetic and Affective Response to Natural Environment.” Human Behavior and the Natural Environment 6: 85–125.

[63] Ulrich, R. S., R. F. Simons, B. D. Losito, E. Fiorito, M. A. Miles, and M. Zelson. 1991. “Stress Recovery During Exposure to Natural and Urban Environments.” Journal of Environmental Psychology 11: 201–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80184-7.

[64] Van Valkengoed, A. M., and L. Steg. 2019. “Meta-Analyses of Factors Motivating Climate Change Adaptation Behaviour.” Nature Climate Change 9: 158–163. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-019-0401-5.

[65] White, M. P., S. Pahl, B. W. Wheeler, M. H. Depledge, and L. E. Fleming. 2017. “Natural Environments and Subjective Wellbeing: Different Types of Exposure Are Associated With Different Aspects of Wellbeing.” Health & Place 45: 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.03.008.

[66] Wilson, E. O. 1984. Biophilia: The Human Bond With Other Species. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

[67] Wong, I. K. A., Y. K. P. Wan, G. Q. I. Huang, and S. Qi. 2020. “Green Event Directed Pro-Environmental Behavior: An Application of Goal Systems Theory.” Journal of Sustainable Tourism 29, no. 11–12: 1948–1969.

[68] World Health Organization (WHO). 2022. Mental Health: Strengthening Our Response. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response.

[69] World Health Organization (WHO). 2024. WHO Launches New Manual to Support Delivery of Psychological Interventions. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://www.who.int/news/item/11-03-2024-who-launches-new-manual-to-support-delivery-of-psychological-interventions.

[70] Wu, C. Z., T. Wang, W. T. Duan, W. X. Wang, and Q. W. Sun. 2022. “Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of the Social Connectedness Scale.” Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Medical Sciences 43: 7.

[71] Zajda, J.2021. “Constructivist Learning Theory and Creating Effective Learning Environments.” Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research 25: 35–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71575-5_3.

[72] Zelenika, I., T. Moreau, O. Lane, and J. Zhao. 2018. “Sustainability Education in a Botanical Garden Promotes Environmental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Willingness to Act.” Environmental Education Research 24: 1581–1596. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2018.1492705.

[73] Zhang, W., X. Zhang, and Q. Zhou. 2021. “How Does Knowledge Seeking and Knowledge Generation Promote Green Supply Chain Management? An Empirical Study From China.” International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications 26, no. 1: 37–57.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2025 The Author(s). Integrative Conservation published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG).