Identifying nature activities that promote adult nature connection using the Evaluating Nature Activities for Connection Tool (ENACT)

Nature Connection (NC) is an important driver of conservation behaviour. Conservation organisations aim to increase people's NC through a wide range of nature activities. Using the Evaluating Nature Activities for Connection Tool (ENACT), this study evaluated the effectiveness of different nature activities for increasing adult NC and promoting conservation behaviour. 1126 adults completed ENACT after attending one of 100 nature activities across 27 nature reserves. Linear mixed models were used to examine predictors of ENACT scores and these revealed clear differences between types of activity. Group-based activities, whether special events or regular activities, worked better for building NC than large, drop-in events. Importantly, this pattern of results applied to participants with lower pre-existing trait NC. A cost-benefit analysis illustrated how potential NC benefits related to activity running costs and suggested how activities might be improved. Conservation organisations can use this evaluation evidence to improve the effectiveness of nature activities in building NC and promoting conservation behaviour. •Conservation organisations can improve their activities to connect people to nature.•Group activities on nature reserves strengthen nature connection.•People with low or high nature connection respond to different aspects of activities.•Evaluating Nature Activities for Connection Tool is useful in cost-benefit analyses.