Our latest research paper, published in Landscape and Urban Planning, explores which environmental features make us feel most connected to nature. This study highlights the potential of landscape planning and design in addressing the growing disconnection between humans and the natural world.

The study took a new approach, using network analysis to dig into the features that shape our nature connection experiences. We asked 205 people in the UK to recall four moments when they felt connected to nature, noting what they saw around them—like wild animals, mountains, or even paved roads—and how connected they felt. By mapping these features as a network, we could see which ones matter most and how they interact.

The features that stood out most positively in our network were those tied to wild, rural landscapes—think nice weather, wild nature, meadows, mountains, and both small and large animals, alongside oceans. These elements were consistently present in people’s most nature-connected moments, suggesting they have a unique power to draw us closer to the natural world. Rivers, ponds, trails, sand, and plants also had a positive influence, though their impact was less pronounced compared to the wilder features.

The most notable positive members of the network (see figure) were nice weather, wild nature, meadows, mountains, small and large animals, and oceans. In essence, these features were highly and uniquely present in peoples’ nature-connection experiences. Rivers, ponds, trails, sand, and plants had a medium positive influence, but their importance was notably weaker than the aforementioned items.

The detailed situation network of environmental features that impact nature connectedness.

Note. Nodes: Larger nodes indicate greater importance; Green nodes had a positive importance; Red nodes had a negative importance for connectedness. Edges: Thicker bands indicate stronger relationships; Green bands indicate a positive relationship; Red bands indicate a negative relationship. Label colour: The colour of labels was determined by the cluster assignment derived from the network community structure.

On the other hand, the features that most disrupted nature connection were clear signs of human presence—paved roads, motor vehicles, and trash were the biggest culprits, often absent from people’s nature-connected experiences. Poor weather, technology, and human-made buildings also had a negative effect, though less strongly.

Key Takeaways for a Greener Future

So, what does this mean for designing spaces that reconnect us with nature? First, it’s clear we need more rewilding—bringing back wild spaces with animals and rugged landscapes, not just adding more urban parks. Limiting human-made features is just as crucial. Think fewer buildings, roads, and litter in natural spaces—perhaps through zoning or “do not disturb” campaigns. Trails are a great addition—in fact, they were the most central part of the network, meaning they seemed to help people engage with the other important wilder features. But things like benches or signs? They’re less important and might even make a space feel too human if overdone.

For urban areas, where wild nature isn’t always an option, we can still make a difference. The trick is to make parks feel wilder—using trees to hide buildings or muffle noise, creating quiet, untamed corners while balancing safety concerns. It’s not just about adding more trees or meadows; it’s about crafting spaces that let us feel immersed in nature, even in the city.

Why This Matters

These findings give landscape planners and policymakers a roadmap to strengthen our bond with nature. By focusing on wild, rural features and dialling back human impact, we can create environments that not only support biodiversity but also nurture our well-being. It’s a reminder that nature connection isn’t just about access—it’s about the quality of the experience. What features make you feel closest to nature? Let’s keep exploring how we can design a world where nature and people thrive together.

Lengieza, M. L., Richardson, M. & Hughes, J. P. (2025). Feature networks: The environmental features that are central to nature- connectedness experiences. Landscape and Urban Planning doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2025.105362