Influence of wilderness experience on the adoption of environmentally responsible behaviour

[摘要] Conventional environmental education programmes appear to have limitations inprecipitating the radical change needed to solve major environmental problems. Inthis study the potential of wilderness experience (WE) as a catalyst for developingecoliteracy and consequent adoption of environmentally responsible behaviour(ERB), are discussed. Attitudinal changes and adoption of ERB by adult participants,following a weekend WE conducted in the Pilanesberg National Park, located in theNorth-West Province of South Africa, were probed through group and individualinterviews over a period of time. Results indicate that WE may be a significantcatalyst in developing ecoliteracy, while effects on adoption of ERB are diluted byseveral factors – both personal and structural (societal). The role of the wildernessguide in facilitating effective re-connection with nature, and stimulating thedevelopment and growth of ecoliteracy in individual participants in the WE, ishighlighted. It is suggested that WE provides a substantive addition to themechanisms available for experiential environmental education programmes, in thatit accesses different ways of learning that focus on the emotional and spiritualelements of the human connection to nature.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University