Nature connectedness refers to the cognitive, emotional, and experiential bond that individuals feel with the natural environment. It encompasses a sense of oneness with nature, recognising that humans are an integral part of the broader ecological system.

The Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS), developed by Mayer and Frantz in 2004, is a psychological tool designed to measure an individual's emotional and cognitive connection to the natural environment. The scale is based on the idea that people who feel more connected to nature are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviours and hold positive attitudes toward environmental conservation.

• Mayer, F.S. & McPherson Frantz, C. (2004). The connectedness to nature scale:

A measure of individuals’ feeling in community with nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24, 503-515.

Researchers have also studied various pathways to building a connection with nature.

Professor Miles Richardson is a leading researcher in nature connectedness, psychology, and wellbeing at the University of Derby (UK).

His research explores:

• How people build a meaningful connection with nature

• Which psychological pathways enhance this connection

• Links between nature connection, wellbeing, and pro-environmental behaviours 

In a pivotal paper (Richardson et al., 2020), identified five key pathways that facilitate deeper nature connection:

1. Contact
   – Direct sensory experiences (touching, smelling, listening to, or looking closely at nature).

2. Emotion
   – Feeling positive emotions towards nature, such as awe, wonder, and compassion.

3. Meaning
   – Using nature for symbolic, cultural, or personal meaning; e.g. seeing nature as part of life’s journey, finding metaphors in seasons.

4. Compassion
   – Developing caring attitudes and behaviours towards nature, including conservation actions.

5. Beauty
   – Noticing and appreciating aesthetic qualities in nature (colours, shapes, sounds)