Inspiring the Outdoor Experience: Does the Path through a Nature Center Lead Out the Door?

Abstract

This study investigates the visitor experience at a Swedish nature center within a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The question of whether this interpretive facility succeeds in motivating the visitor to get outdoors for a direct experience of nature is explored. Use of the environmental connectedness perspective and concerns about diminished nature experience support the importance of this study. A number of qualitative methodologies are used to investigate the research questions, including thought listing, phenomenology, and field observation. Results indicate that this particular nature center generally succeeded in the goal of inspiring visitors for a direct nature experience. The success in motivating visitors appears to be a result of a number of key variables, including place-based exhibitry, access, and personal visitor factors. Given the setting for this study, we conclude that interpretive nature centers have the potential to play an important role in the re-imagination of urban environments.