The Relative Influence of Childhood Activities and Demographics on Adult Appreciation for the Role of Trees in Human Well-being

	INTRODUCTION Almost 50% of the world’s people live in urban areas, and the percentage is growing rapidly.  Chances to interact with nature in these stark surroundings are greatly reduced.  Will children raised in such areas fail to appreciate the benefits of urban trees?  Do positive childhood experiences with nature promote positive attitudes toward trees in adults?
	OBJECTIVES 1) Assess how much urbanites agree that “Trees in cities help people feel calmer.” 2) Determine if demographics or childhood contacts with nature influence this response. 3) Determine the relative importance of these factors in influencing this response.
	METHODS  In a 20-minute telephone survey of 2,004 adults in large metropolitan areas in the U.S., participants were asked about their childhood experiences with nature and their current understanding and appreciation of urban trees.  Demographic information was also gathered.  Logistic regression was used to determine which of 5 childhood experience and 5 demographic variables was most important in explaining adult attitudes.
	RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Sixty-three percent of respondents strongly agreed that “Trees in cities help people feel calmer.”  Two childhood experience and 3 demographic variables were significant in explaining the response to this statement.  These are shown in Table 1 in decreasing order of importance.
	Figure 1.  Childhood outdoor activities, such as hiking, planting trees, or visiting parks, were the most influential of all variables in the model.  People who participated in such activities more frequently were more likely to strongly agree that trees help people feel calmer.
	Figures 2 and 3.  Gender and Age were the next most influential, with women and older respondents more likely to strongly agree with the statement.
	Figure 4.  Parents’ feelings about nature also was an influence.  People whose parents had very positive attitudes toward nature were more likely to recognize trees as calming.
	Figure 5.  While Blacks were less likely than Whites to strongly agree that trees helped people feel calmer, Ethnicity was the least important influence of all.
	CONCLUSION While both childhood experiences and demographics influenced adults’ perceptions of the calming value of trees, the influence of childhood experiences was stronger.  Adults who spent more time during childhood in outdoor activities, such as hiking, picking flowers, and bird watching, were most likely to strongly agree that “Trees in cities help people feel calmer.”