The Lasting Impact of Time Outdoors

As an environmental education professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, Dr. Brent Jackson studies what researchers call the human dimensions of natural resources—a field that examines how people interact with natural systems and what those interactions mean for both human well-being and conservation outcomes. His work sits at the intersection of environmental science, psychology, and sociology, focusing on how access to nature shapes mental health, resilience, and long-term environmental stewardship.

Initially trained in conservation biology and ecology, Dr. Jackson worked on species-focused research, including studies on Eastern Indigo snakes. While scientifically valuable, it also revealed a critical gap in conservation practice. “We can’t necessarily change how wildlife behaves, but we can impact how people behave,” Dr. Jackson explained, describing the shift that led him toward studying human behavior as a central driver of conservation success.

Dr. Jackson’s research demonstrates that natural systems influence far more than ecological function. Peer-reviewed studies show that time spent outdoors is associated with measurable improvements in subjective well-being, including reduced stress, improved mood, and increased resilience, particularly among children and adolescents. His nationally representative research during the COVID-19 pandemic found that adolescents who continued participating in outdoor play and nature-based activities experienced significantly smaller declines in mental health and well-being than those who did not. These findings suggest that access to outdoor environments can buffer individuals against periods of heightened stress and disruption.

Importantly, Dr. Jackson’s work shows that these benefits extend beyond individual health. Outdoor activity and exposure to green space are linked to increased physical activity, stronger social connections, and greater social cohesion- factors that contribute to healthier, more resilient communities.

A central focus of Dr. Jackson’s research is improving equitable access to nature while supporting conservation goals. Rather than treating human well-being and environmental protection as competing priorities, his work demonstrates that they are mutually reinforcing. Communities designed with accessible green spaces, such as parks, trails, and neighborhood natural areas, can simultaneously enhance quality of life and strengthen public support for protecting the natural systems that sustain them.

Another key area of Dr. Jackson’s research examines significant life experiences - formative interactions with nature, often occurring in childhood, that shape a person’s long-term environmental values and behaviors. These experiences frequently involve trusted adults and everyday outdoor settings, not remote wilderness. Research shows that such early experiences strongly influence environmental attitudes, career paths, and willingness to support conservation later in life. Dr. Jackson notes that “these significant life experiences during childhood have a profound impact on our trajectory in life,” underscoring the importance of environmental education and consistent access to green spaces for young people.

His research also challenges the assumption that meaningful nature experiences must occur in pristine or undeveloped landscapes. Studies in environmental psychology and education, including Jackson’s own, show that nearby, human-designed green spaces can provide many of the same mental health and developmental benefits as more remote natural areas. “We’re evolutionarily adapted for these spaces,” Dr. Jackson said. “They don’t necessarily need to be pristine wilderness spaces, but green space is important.”

This finding is particularly relevant as urbanization rises and access to undeveloped land declines. Jackson connects this trend to the concept of the “extinction of experience,” which describes the reduction in everyday interactions with nature, especially among children, due to screen time, safety concerns, and limited access to green space. His research suggests that reversing this trend through intentional community design and environmental education may be critical for both human health and long-term conservation outcomes.

Ultimately, Dr. Jackson’s work frames environmental education as far more than knowledge acquisition. “I often think of environmental education like an iceberg,” he said. “The knowledge gains are just the tip of the iceberg. The bulk of the benefits are actually below water.” Those benefits - resilience, social connection, physical health, and environmental stewardship - highlight the role of nature as a foundational component of human well-being. In this framework, protecting natural systems is not only an ecological imperative but a public health and community resilience strategy.

Rather than expecting everyone to become an expert naturalist, Dr. Jackson hopes people take small steps: noticing a plant they pass every day, learning its name, and recognizing its role in the larger system. He argues that when people understand these connections, decision-making naturally shifts toward care and protection. Dr. Jackson explains that at the heart of environmental stewardship lies human well-being. Caring for natural systems, he argues, is fundamentally an act of caring for people.