Nature, Experience, and Value:
Does Beauty Still Matter?
Herb Schroeder
USDA Forest Service
Northern Research Station
Evanston, Illinois, USA
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
National Forest
System
Research
Northern Research
Station
State and
Private Forestry
Evanston, IL
http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/units/socialscience/
What is Environmental Psychology?
“The study of human behavior and well-being in relation to
the sociophysical environment". (Stokels and Altman 1987)
“The branch of psychology concerned with providing a
systematic account of the relationship between a person
and the environment". (Russel and Snodgrass 1987)
“The study of the interrelationship between behavior and
experience and the built and natural environment.” (Bell,
Fisher, Baum, & Greene 1990)
“Environmental Psychology is what environmental
psychologists do". (Proshanky, Ittleson, & Rivlin 1970)
Scenic beauty prediction equation for
ponderosa pine forests
B = -3.871 + .6006 P1 -.0196 P2 -.0012 P3 -.0141 D
+.2620 S + .2016 F + .0359 G
B = scenic beauty estimate
P1 = number of ponderosa pine per acre > 16 inches diameter
P2 = number of ponderosa pine per acre 5 - 16 inches diameter
P3 = number of ponderosa pine per acre < 5 inches diameter
D = cubic feet per acre of dead wood on ground
S = pounds per acre of shrubs
F = pounds per acre of forbs
G = pounds per acre of grass
Experiences, Meanings, and Values of Special Places
Category
Naturalness
Beauty
Serenity
Awe-inspiring
Excitement
Remoteness
Refuge/escape
Social Ties
Family History
Heritage
Strong
Attachments
Gratitude
Examples
“We appreciate the rustic and primitive character of the whole Black
River area”
“I've walked through this area at least a hundred times, and it's
beautiful in all seasons of the year.”
“I like the pastoral character of the south half of the peninsula -- really
peaceful.”
"We were stunned when we got to the top and looked out towards the
Bay. It was the wonder & awe a child gets about the world"
“I remember we all went from one clump of flowers to another, as
excited as if discovering gold.”
“Although only a 7 minute drive from my home, it seems far removed
from my daily surroundings.”
"I like the isolation, the ability to escape the phone, T.V., the effects of
civilization."
“Many, many, memorable moments with dear friends, and/or groups. ”
“Grandpa's cabin was built there at the turn of the century. … My
grandparents were a part of the park history.”
"When I stop on Madeline, the history takes over. I realize this was the
home for the Ojibwe people for many years. Their history on Madeline
intrigues me to no end."
“We love this Lake so much we would not consider retiring any place
else but here.”
“With the world becoming such a busy place I am thankful to have a
retreat like this to come to! ”
“Natural beauty” in the experience of
special places
“Black River is still in its natural and beautiful condition,
causing all the beautiful falls and providing fishing for
many.”
“This shore line should be maintained in its natural state
for strolling and enjoying the great natural beauty of the
lake and woods. Our family has spent much time walking
the shoreline and enjoying the natural beauty of the
beach and lake.”
“A place where we go that the "peace" and natural
beauty almost takes me back in time to Indians and
original settlement. A feeling … that makes or helps me
understand the beauty of our NATURAL Environment.”
Benefits of contact with green
nature
•
•
•
•
•
Recovery from surgery
Stress reduction
Recovery from mental fatigue
Community empowerment
Reduction in violence
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Landscape and Human Health Laboratory
Frances E. Kuo, Director
http://lhhl.illinois.edu/index.htm
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Landscape and Human Health Laboratory
Frances E. Kuo, Director
http://lhhl.illinois.edu/index.htm
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Landscape and Human Health Laboratory
Frances E. Kuo, Director
http://lhhl.illinois.edu/index.htm
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Landscape and Human Health Laboratory
Frances E. Kuo, Director
http://lhhl.illinois.edu/index.htm
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Landscape and Human Health Laboratory
Frances E. Kuo, Director
http://lhhl.illinois.edu/index.htm
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Landscape and Human Health Laboratory
Frances E. Kuo, Director
http://lhhl.illinois.edu/index.htm
“Ah, yes, trees are indeed
beautiful, …, but we are talking
about so much more than just a
pretty face here.”
(Provenzano 2008)
Beautification be Damned!
“When I chaired the National
Urban Forest Council, I used
to go around the United
States giving a speech
entitled "Beautification Be
Damned" and said that
because of the economic
benefits of trees we would be
urging their plantings and
maintenance in urban areas
even if they were ugly and
smelled bad.” (Donald
Willeke)
Interaction with natural
environments and things
Experiential value
Interaction with natural
environments and things
Experiential value
Physiological, social,
and psychological
outcomes
Instrumental value
Interaction with natural
environments and things
?
Physiological, social,
and psychological
outcomes
Instrumental value
"A view then of this bridge and its surroundings
as you approach it on the path is soul-enriching!”
“There are so many beautiful nature preserves
and lands to explore, and I have. They all have
natural beauty that fills me with joy, just to
behold it.”
“What an uplifting experience it is to come here
in early spring when the old oaks are outlined
against the sky.”
“This beautiful spot restores my soul and makes
me glad to be alive.”
Photo by Angelo Carosio
"There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the
wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy,
and its charm." (Theodore Roosevelt 1910)
"The evenings have been really lovely. But the whole
experience here has a flavor, an essence that will not
be expressed in words. I get so tired of saying 'lovely'-but where are the words?" (Margaret Murie 1962)
"Spending a whole day floating down a river through
the wilderness is an experience that cannot be put into
words, except maybe by eloquent writers and poets.
There is nothing to interrupt the beauty, except for a
couple of bridges, and a cabin or two.” (Survey
respondent)
"Our ability to perceive quality in nature begins, as in
art, with the pretty. It expands through successive
stages of the beautiful to values as yet uncaptured by
language. The quality of cranes lies, I think, in this
higher gamut, as yet beyond the reach of words."
(Leopold 1949)
Interaction with natural
environments and things
Experiential value
Physiological, social,
and psychological
outcomes
Instrumental value