RECON - Nature Reconnection for Transformation and Biodiversity

Spending time in nature and feeling connected to it is increasingly recognized as key to protecting biodiversity and creating a more sustainable society. This project builds on global efforts to stop biodiversity loss by exploring how experiences in nature - and the emotional bonds people form with it - can inspire real change in how societies care for the environment. Through a new initiative called the Societal Transformation Laboratory for Nature Reconnection Advocacy, the project works in three Central European regions: Vienna, Stuttgart, and Warsaw. These metropolitan areas are ideal places to explore how cities and their surrounding landscapes can better support both people and nature. The goal is to develop practical strategies that help communities reconnect with nature and manage landscapes in ways that support biodiversity. The project focuses on three main tasks: Understanding how people interact with nature in cities and why those relationships matter. Developing new methods and structures to encourage spending time in nature and support stronger connections between people and nature. Testing these ideas in real-life settings to see what works and how positive change can be scaled up. To do this, the research team uses a mix of approaches. These include surveys, mapping how people use and value green spaces, interviews, observations, and creative methods that capture how people experience nature through their senses. Local residents, policymakers, planners, and other stakeholders are actively involved, ensuring that the results are useful in practice. An international and interdisciplinary team - bringing together experts in urban planning, environmental management, social sciences, and sustainability - leads the project. By working closely with communities and decision-makers, and through citizen science activities, the project aims to strengthen trust in science and support informed decisions. Ultimately, the project sees nature not just as something to protect, but as an active partner in building healthier cities, stronger communities, and a future where both people and biodiversity can thrive.