Significant Influences on Nature Experiences: A Comparative Study of Southern German and Northern Spanish Pupils Aged 14-15

Abstract

Abstract An understanding of the current situation of nature experiences among adolescents is of critical importance for the protection of nature. The participants of this study are 14-15 year-old pupils from Bavaria (Southern Germany) and Asturias (Northern Spain). In particular, the author was interested in a) the level of outdoor experiences of each group; b) the influence of independent factors, such as gender and environmental behaviour at home, upon nature experiences; c) the relationship between outdoor experiences and environmental knowledge, readiness to act and actual environmental behaviour; d) cultural differences between Asturian and Bavarian pupils. Using a standardised questionnaire, the data were collected in spring 2007. As the study showed, nature experiences can be separated into different dimensions. There are differences in the extent and type of influence nature experiences have on the samples of Bavaria and Asturias. The Asturian pupils have higher values in the dimension relating to their present situation and in their expectations of future nature experiences in comparison with the pupils in the sample of Bavaria. Also, it might be proven (with the help of regressions) that nature experiences may positively affect environmental knowledge, attitudes and actions. These results could potentially help educators and researchers to identify the aspects of existing in-school programmes and extra-curricular activities that need to be improved.