Abstract: Nature and the outdoors have always been an important
part of the fabric of American life. However, there are major questions
about the present and future role of nature and the outdoors in our
increasingly diverse, technologically oriented, and rapidly changing
society. For our programs to remain relevant to American life today and
tomorrow, we must be aware of public sentiment toward the part nature
plays in the quality of our lifestyles.
It is for these reasons that we plan to use a quantitative survey
to collect information on the attitudes that the public maintains
towards the natural environment; the effects of contact with nature on
participants' health and quality of life; the extent of contact with
nature and obstacles to greater contact with nature; general knowledge
of nature and wildlife; concerns toward selected environmental issues;
and socio-demographic variables. Results will help improve the design
and delivery of new or existing programs aimed at engaging the public
in nature-related activities (e.g., outreach and educational
programming at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries).<<<Read More>>>
