Urban vegetation, wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviour: a socio-ecological experiment in Wellington City, New Zealand

Investigates whether engagement with urban nature influenced the wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviour of residents of Wellington City, New Zealand. Abstract The challenges ahead for sustainability and biodiversity conservation require a better understanding of the relationship human beings have with the natural environment. The evidence that nature has a positive influence on human wellbeing is extensive but there is uncertainty about the influence of urban vegetation in the immediate vicinity of residents’ homes. Current research is also inconclusive as to the mechanisms that underlie the relationship between nature, human wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviour. Investigates whether engagement with urban nature influenced the wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviour of residents of Wellington City, New Zealand. Engagement with nature was specified by the amount of vegetation cover in urban neighbourhoods and participation in a community-planting scheme. Wellbeing was assessed by measures of mental and physical health and satisfaction with life. &nbsp