In their study, Lumber, Richardson and Sheffield propose that a genuine connection to nature transcends factual knowledge or species identification and is instead built through five experiential and emotional dimensions: contact, emotion, meaning, compassion, and beauty. These pathways, identified through empirical research, were shown to significantly increase nature connectedness, a state linked to both human well-being and pro-environmental behavior. The authors conducted three studies, including a field intervention, where participants engaged in walking activities that incorporated emotional reflection, aesthetic attention, and symbolic meaning-making. The results indicated that those who actively participated in these activities developed a deeper connection to nature compared to those who simply walked through natural settings without guided engagement. This model challenges traditional conservation strategies that rely heavily on ecological education, suggesting instead that subjective, emotional, and symbolic engagement—such as appreciating natural beauty, feeling empathy toward living beings, and finding metaphorical meaning in natural elements—are more effective in fostering a sustainable, respectful relationship with the environment. The authors emphasize that in an increasingly urbanized and distracted world, fostering these five pathways can counteract the disconnect from nature, offering a route not only to individual fulfillment but also to collective ecological responsibility. Thus, the “why” of connecting with nature lies in reawakening an innate biophilic sensibility that is not taught but felt, shared, and lived.
Lumber, R., Richardson, M. and Sheffield, D., 2017. Beyond knowing nature: Contact, emotion, compassion, meaning, and beauty are pathways to nature connection. PLOS ONE, 12(5),
