Volunteering in nature: a win-win strategy for healthy people and healthy nature

Abstract

The current study investigated the differences between environmental volunteering program and natural experience program in natural benefits, place attachment and pro-environmental behaviours. Fifty-eight college students were recruited to participate in these two programs which were conducted in a highland farm. Comparing to those in natural experience program, the results indicated that participants in the environmental volunteering program perceived greater natural benefits, expressed a stronger place attachment to activity site, as well as reported a better human-nature relationship and improved pro-environmental behaviours. The findings of this study also presented how these measurements predict volunteers’ natural benefits and pro-environmental behaviours. Environmental volunteering is an environmental health strategy that could be incorporated into individuals’ health promotion. Suggestions for promoting environmental volunteering, and their implementations are proposed.