Outdoor journeys as a catalyst for enhanced place connectedness and environmental stewardship

Humans struggle to comprehend, appreciate, and protect natural environments when they have had minimal or no exposure these spaces. While there are many theoretical explanations for this bifurcation between humans nature, is an absence of wide-ranging solutions address the issue. With a dramatic global shift towards swelling urban culture driven by technology, current research strongly emphasizes importance nature’s health benefits. This study investigates weakening connections world effect that characteristics processes nature-based journeys on individual perspectives environmental awareness stewardship. Using qualitative methods, nine participants from three Outward Bound Canada expeditions were interviewed explore how outdoor at least one week in length influenced their sense connectivity and/or Results demonstrate positive association participants’ increased connection stewardship nature. Participants experienced reduced fear while comfort levels areas grew. Their values associated with changed, few, challenged them question personal employment situation. also augmented naturalistic understanding, surroundings, nurtured desire continue visiting and, most, inspired will participate volunteer initiatives improve state environment.