Clayton, S., 2007, Domesticated nature: Motivations for gardening and perceptions of environmental impact, in: Journal of Environmental Psychology, 27, 3
- Author : Clayton, S.
- Year : 2007
- Title English : Domesticated nature: Motivations for gardening and perceptions of environmental impact
- Journal/Series : Journal of Environmental Psychology
- Volume Number (ANNUAL: Counting Volumes of the Year shown above) : 3
- Volume Number (CONSECUTIVE: Counting all Volumes of this Journal ever published) : 27
- Pages : 215-224
- Abstract in English : Gardening is an important activity for many Americans. A 2003 survey by the National Gardening Association found that 78%, or 84 million, of US households participate in some do-it-yourself lawn and garden activities. It is one of the principal ways in which they experience nature. Yet the gardening and yard care practices of homeowners can have a significant negative impact on the natural environment. The present study was designed to investigate motivations for gardening and their relationship to attitudes toward nature and to gardening practices. Understanding such motivations may inform attempts to promote more sustainable gardening practices. Results suggested that appreciation for nature was a significant motivation for gardening, but that social concerns and uses were also important. Both nature uses and social uses of the yard were associated with satisfaction. Increasing evidence that gardening may promote health should enhance recognition that gardening can be an important part of human life and encourage further research into its psychological significance. Increasing awareness of the potentially detrimental impact of gardening practices on the environment (Steinberg, 2006) should prompt efforts to encourage people to protect the part of nature that they enjoy.
- Comments/Notes : KEYWORDS: gardening, conservation,nature, attitudes, identity.