Effectiveness of a two-year nature-based intervention in rising place attachment and connection with nature

This study examined the effectiveness of a 2 year nature based intervention program based on immersive activities in the local environment, in fostering adolescent students’ place attachment, connection with nature, and optimism in a rural area facing depopulation. Eighty-four adolescents were involved in the intervention consisting in a wide range of nature-based activities in the local areas plus creative re-elaboration. At the beginning and the end of the project, participants filled in questionnaires to assess place attachment, connection with nature, and optimism. After three nature-based activities they also completed measures of positive and negative affect and vitality. The results confirmed increased place attachment, connection with nature, and optimism at the end of the two school years, and raised positive affect and vitality, as well as decreased negative affect after the nature-based activities. The findings emphasize the nature-based interventions effectiveness in strengthening connection to place and nature.