Region of focus:
Marion county & neighboring counties.
Communities in and around Marion County are the current areas of C2N’s immediate application.
Marion County specifically has very little native ecosystem’s remaining. This makes connecting to what’s left, even if it is very different than pristine natural areas, even if we perceive it to be “less wild” extremely important to our wellbeing.
Centering on Marion County enables a strong sense of place and belonging, thus bringing together individuals, families, and communities in a way builds attachment to familiar environments.
Expanding the program’s reach in the future depends on it’s success and longevity.
Definitions
Connectedness with Nature:
"Schultz (2002) describes inclusion of self in nature as “the understanding that an individual has of her place in nature, that s/he places on nature, and his/her actions that impact the natural environment” (p. 67). Connection with nature is said to have three psychological components—cognitive, affective, and behavioral—as well as three core structural components—connectedness, caring, and commitment (Schultz, 2002)."
Environmental Identity:
"Environmental identity is one part of the way in which people form their self-concept; a sense of connection to some parts of the nonhuman natural environment, based on history, emotional attachment, and/or similarity, that affects the way in which we perceive and act towards the world; a belief that the environment is important to us and an important part of who we are. (Clayton, 2003, pp. 45-46)."
From: Balundė, A., Jovarauskaitė, L., & Poškus, M. S. (2019). Exploring the Relationship Between Connectedness With Nature, Environmental Identity, and Environmental Self-Identity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. SAGE Open, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019841925