Connection for conservation: The impact of counting butterflies on nature connectedness and wellbeing in citizen scientists

Biodiversity conservation is fundamentally linked to human values, attitudes, and behaviours. Nature connectedness, the strength of a person's relationship with nature, is an important determinant of pro-nature actions, and therefore vital for counteracting biodiversity loss. Citizen science may improve nature connectedness, though such outcomes are underexplored in comparison to scientific and educational results. Addressing this gap, we studied the experiences of participants in the Big Butterfly Count, a UK mass-participation citizen science activity that aims to raise awareness and gather data on the abundance of widespread butterfly and moth species. Participants completed surveys before and after the three-week Big Butterfly Count period (n = 382), and at six- to seven-week follow up (n = 345). Improvements in nature connectedness, decreased anxiety, and increased tendency to notice nature and butterflies, were found immediately after the count period, with improved wellbeing and nature noticing at follow-up. Stronger emotional responses during the butterfly count were associated with greater increases in nature connectedness and nature noticing. Qualitative data revealed mixed emotions, from sadness and concern about biodiversity loss, to feelings of hope and optimism through taking actions to help butterflies. These findings suggest that citizen science participation prompts people to notice and enjoy nature in ways that enhance their wellbeing and connection with nature, supporting the mutual health of people and the rest of the natural world. The study highlights the potential for nature-based citizen science to benefit conservation beyond the focal species or habitat, by changing how people think, feel and act towards nature more broadly.