THE RELATIVE INFLUENCE OF CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES AND DEMOGRAPHICS ON ADULT APPRECIATION FOR THE ROLE OF TREES IN HUMAN WELL-BEING

Adults in major metropolitan areas across the US were surveyed regarding their childhood experiences with nature and their current attitudes toward trees.
Almost all respondents expressed positive attitudes toward trees in cities, regardless of childhood exposure to plants or background.
A majority strongly agreed that “Trees in cities help people feel calmer.” Their responses were influenced by childhood experience and demographic variables.
Participation in outdoor activities during childhood was the most important influence in explaining positive adult attitudes toward the calming value of city trees.
Additional important variables included parents’ feelings about nature, and the gender, age, and ethnicity of the respondents.
Income and childhood participation in organized environmental activities were less important in explaining the responses of those who strongly agreed that trees help people feel calmer.
Education and childhood home surroundings did not influence the response.

XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Expanding Roles for Horticulture in Improving Human Well-Being and Life Quality

V.I. Lohr, C.H. Pearson-Mims

attitudes, environment, gardening, human issues in horticulture, nature, outdoors, plants

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2004.639.33