Connections, reciprocity and wonder: Descriptions of meaningful experiences in nature reveal benefits for humans and environments in Australia

1.Having ‘meaningful’ experiences in nature – those that shape the way an individual views their relationship with nature – has been highlighted as one important way for people to deepen their connection with nature.2.This mixed-methods study draws on a survey conducted across Australia in 2023 to better understand how people describe their meaningful experiences in nature and how meaningful experiences are associated with nature connection, wellbeing, and pro-environmental behaviours.3.Through responses to the open-ended question: ‘Think of a meaningful experience you have had that shaped the way you think about ‘nature?’, we identified five themes: Formative childhood experiences; Connection with self, others and place; Giving back to nature; Stress relief and health benefits; and Wonder at the ‘bigness’ of nature.4.Quantitative analysis found that providing a response to the meaningful-experience question was significantly associated with human-nature connection, life satisfaction (but only when human-nature connection was not controlled for), and three pro-environmental behaviours: advocacy behaviours, consumer-conscious behaviours, and conservation activities. The associations between reporting a meaningful experience and undertaking advocacy and conservation behaviours remained significant after human-nature connection was controlled for.5.These associative findings have policy relevance, including supporting access to green space, opportunities for children to spend time in nature, and participation in environmental conservation.6.Meaningful nature experiences were described as connecting people with themselves, others, and local places. Reporting such an experience was also associated with selected wellbeing and environmental outcomes.