Abstract

Literature indicates that contact with nature significantly contributes to psychological, physiological and social benefits for humans. At the same time relatively little is known about the intangible benefits that come from the nature experience and what aspects of the experience contribute to these benefits. These issues are poorly understood especially in respect to Australia’s Indigenous populations. Thus, the focus of my PhD is to explore the intangible benefits that relate to nature and their role in health, well-being and social capital, with a particular focus on Indigenous people.

The goal of the work is to gain a deeper understanding of the intangible benefits that nature affords. This study focuses on three separate nature experiences; 1. Community gardening. 2. Indigenous land management in Victoria, Australia. 3. Development of a well-being tool measuring the benefit of contact with nature with people in the UK compared to Australia.