Deborah Robertson-Andersson, Judy Mann-Lang, Monica Maroun, Shana Mian & Christa Panos. Presented at the Symposium of Contemporary Conservation Practice 2015.

1. Can nature-based experiences affect an
individual’s connection to nature without
teaching conservation and what is the
“stickiness” of such experiences?
• Deborah Robertson-Andersson1, Judy Mann-Lang2, Monica
Maroun3;4, Shana Mian1 & Christa Panos4

2. JEEP JOCKEYS: THE REAL ICONS OF
CONSERVATION
• Deborah Robertson-Andersson1, Judy Mann-Lang2, Monica
Maroun3;4, Shana Mian1 & Christa Panos4

3. • Current biodiversity conservation programs can be
effective but biodiversity is still decreasing

4. How do we teach conservation?
• A positive human-nature relationship is essential for countering
today’s environmental problems. Frantz et al. (2005) and Nisbet et al. (2009)
• We call this relationship “connectedness”. Schultz (2002a)
• Connectedness to nature defined as “a self-perceived relationship of
interconnection between the self and the natural world”. Mayer & Frantz, (2004)
and Schultz et al. (2004)

5. How do we measure connectedness?
• The New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale (Dunlap et al. 2000; Schultz 2002a)
• The Inclusion of nature in the self (INS) scale (Schultz, 2000; 2001; 2002)
• The Implicit Associations Test (IAT) (Greenwald et al. 1998; Schultz et al 2004)
• The Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) Mayer & Frantz, (2004)
• The Love and Care for Nature (LCN) scale (Perkins, 2010).

6. • Researchers propose that if you can increase people’s
connectedness they are more likely to engage in a range of
conservation behaviours (Schultz, 2001; Mayer & Frantz 2004; Gosling & Williams 2010).

7. How do we expand the sense of self to
include the natural environment?

8. How do we expand the sense of self to
include the natural environment?
• Most literature recommends experiential learning in nature

9. How did we test this?

10. How did we test this?

11. What did we find?
• CNS and INS Total Scores
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Before After
CNS_BHEJANE
INS_BHEJANE
CNS_HONS
INS_HONS

12. What did we find?
• INS Scores
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
BEFORE AFTER
1
6
432
75
643 5643 5

13. " We went into more details
about certain trees helping
me be more interested in
plant life"
"I learnt to appreciate
nature and it also gave me
the enthusiasm to be a part
of conservation"
"staff"
" Without the guide it was a kind of
walk, with the guide it was a
learning experience"
"I am not a fan of the out doors....I
wasn't keen on the trip, but I have
done a 180 degree turn and really
enjoyed myself"
"I feel so much cooler
because I am filled with fun
facts thanks to the Bhejane
staff"
" He made a difference by
explaining not only the big animals
but the small insects, birds and
trees, this made me a lot more
interested into not just the big
animals but the small ones"

14. How can we improve our measurement of
the experience?
Measuring knowledge is the traditional approach
BUT
Knowledge doesn’t lead to an increase in connectedness

15. How can we improve our measurement of
the experience?
• International Scales require adaptation for them to
work in an African Context
• We need more sensitive scales in order to measure
attitudes and values

16. The value of this study
It’s the first time we are trying to measure objectively the impact
of an non formal environmental experience in South Africa
We learnt how not to design a questionnaire!
The issue of long term change needs to be addressed
The importance of psychographic pre survey data (INS > 4)
Learnt to challenge our assumptions – a nature based experience
is less effective with higher incoming INS

17. Thank you!