UCAN Survey - National Initiative National Initiative to Understand and Connect Americans and Nature

OMB Control Number 1018‑XXXX 

 Expires XX/XX/2018

Understanding and Connecting Americans and Nature.  Dr. Stephen R. Kellert, Yale University,
and D.J. Case and Associates

Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is sponsoring this survey
under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956. The survey will provide information
necessary to understand the connection between Americans and nature in an increasingly
diverse, technologically oriented, and rapidly changing society. Results will help improve the
design and delivery of new or existing programs aimed at engaging the public in nature‑
related activities. Your response is voluntary. An agency may not conduct or sponsor and you
are not required to respond to an information collection unless it displays a currently valid
Office of Management and Budget control number. We estimate that it will take you 20 minutes
to complete the survey. These times include the time necessary to gather information, read
instructions, and complete the survey. You may send comments on any aspect of this
information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, (Mail Stop BPHC), Falls Church, VA 22041.

Thank you for agreeing to participate in this important study of Americans' interests in nature
and the outdoors.
1. In general, would you say your pastimes, hobbies, and recreational interests are...?
More indoors‑oriented
More outdoors‑oriented
About the same indoors‑ and outdoors‑oriented

2. In general, do you tend to think of yourself as...?
A "city‑person" at heart
A "country‑person" at heart
Both a "city‑ and country‑person" at heart

3. For each of the following, please indicate if it's something that you would consider to be
"nature" (check all that apply).
Wild animals
Indoor plants
Outdoor gardens
Zoos
Pets and domestic animals

  National Park
  State Park
  My time walking to the car, bus, or train
  Ski resort
  Oceans

  Paintings of landscapes

  Photographs of animals
  Insects
  Neighborhood or local park
  Home aquarium or home terrarium
  Maintained lawns
  My time sightseeing while commuting/driving
  Ponds and lakes
  Family vacation destination like a major theme park
  Yard plants
  Moon, sun, and stars
  Beach

  From

this point on, please consider "nature" to include wild animals, plants, landscapes, and
other features and products of the natural environment.

4. How would you describe your interests in nature compared to your other interests? Would
you say things of nature are...?
  Your MOST enjoyable interests
  Among your MORE ENJOYABLE interests

  Neither more nor less enjoyable than your other interests
  Among your LESS ENJOYABLE interests
  Your LEAST enjoyable interests

5. On average, how satisfied are you with the amount of time you're able to get outdoors to
experience nature?
  Very satisfied

  Somewhat satisfied
  Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
  Somewhat dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

6. In a typical week, when weather allows, about how many hours do you spend outside in
nature? (Do not include organized sports.)
Less than 2 hours
3‑5 hours
6‑10 hours
11‑20 hours
21‑30 hours
More than 30 hours
Don't know

7. How often would you say you read something about nature?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Less than monthly
Never

8. Would you say your interests in nature are more than, less than, or the same as your parents
(or those who raised you)?
More
Less
The same
Don't know

9. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly
agree
a. I have more time now for nature
interests than in the past
b. I have more financial resources now to
pursue my nature interests than in the past
c. I'm making time to share my interest in
nature and the outdoors with children
d. I find myself more content when I make
time for nature
e. People I care about are making more
time for nature
f. There are plenty of places to enjoy
nature

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
nor disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

10. How important is each of the following in hindering your interests in nature today?
Extremely
important

Very
important

Moderately
important

Slightly
important

Not at all
important

a. Not enough time
b. Health reasons
c. Other things are more important in my
life

d. Few friends to be with outdoors
e. Aging
f. Greater interest in computers, smart
phones, and electronic media
g. The outdoors is unsafe
h. Not enough places nearby to enjoy the
outdoors
i. Financial reasons

11. As time goes on do you find your interests in nature growing, declining, or remaining
unchanged?
  Growing

  Declining
  Remaining unchanged

12. For each of the following brief statements about nature, please indicate if you think each
statement is true, false, or you don't know. (Please answer based on your current knowledge.)
True

False

Don't know

a. Spiders have 10 legs
b. Raptors are small rodents
c. All adult birds have feathers
d. The manatee is an insect
  e. An octopus is a kind of fish

f. Snakes have a thin covering of slime in
order to move more easily
g. Most insects have backbones
h. Only land plants produce oxygen
i. Most of the earth is covered by water
j. Oceans play little role in climate and
weather
k. Nothing lives in soil

13. How familiar would you say you are about news, events, and issues that affect nature and
the outdoors at...
Extremely
familiar
  a. Your local level
b. Your state level

Very familiar

Moderately
familiar

Slightly
familiar

Not at all
familiar

c. The U.S. national level
d. The international level

14. How would you rate your interest in each of the following activities?
A lot

Some

None at all

a. Camping
b. Swimming
c. Hiking
d. Jogging or running
  e. Bicycling

f. Boating
g. Fishing
h. Hunting
i. Exploring the outdoors
j. Feeding or watching birds or other wildlife
k. Watching nature‑TV programs

15. How would you rate your interest in each of the following activities?
A lot

Some

None at all

a. Reading or looking at pictures about
nature
b. Surfing the web for nature information or
pictures
c. Gardening outdoors
d. Growing indoor plants
e. Yard work

f. Visiting a zoo, aquarium, nature center,
natural history museum, or botanical garden
g. Creating nature art or photos
h. Belonging to nature organizations
i. Organized sports like basketball, soccer,
or baseball
j. Taking a walk outdoors
k. Collecting or gathering nature objects like
rocks, leaves, or mushrooms

16. What is your favorite outdoor‑ or nature‑oriented activity?

17. What is your second‑favorite outdoor‑ or nature‑oriented activity?

18. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly
agree

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
nor disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

a. Certain smells and sounds of nature
bring to mind some of my happiest
memories
  b. My love of nature is one of my strongest
feelings

c. There are many more important issues in
my life than my concerns for nature
d. I think love is a feeling that people
should feel for people, not for other
animals and nature
e. I don't think people should love their
pets as much as they love other people

19. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly
agree

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
or disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

a. I think most insects are ugly
b. I enjoy nature more than anything else

c. I'm most attracted to animals that are
beautiful
d. Seeing something especially attractive in
nature arouses my curiosity
e. My decision to visit a park or outdoor
area depends on seeing something
beautiful there

20. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly
agree

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
nor disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

a. Being alone in the outdoors is
uncomfortable to me
b. There are animals I really dislike
  c. I don't like being in nature by myself

d. I prefer to stay on paved paths when I'm
in the outdoors
e. I think the world would be a better place
without dangerous animals
f. Times have become so dangerous that
parents can't allow their children to be
outdoors on their own

21. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly
agree

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
nor disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

a. People are certain to master nature
through technology
b. I've enjoyed learning skills that help me
face nature's challenges
  c. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods
remind me that nature can never be

completely mastered
d. People need to control nature to meet
human needs even if it sometimes harms
nature and wildlife
e. To me, an animal trained to help humans
is better than one owned just for
companionship

22. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly
agree

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
nor disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

a. We must develop our energy resources
regardless of the effects on nature
b. We need to build on land for people
even if it results in fewer places for wildlife
to live

c. I most value animals like cows and sheep
that serve some practical purpose
d. Natural resources must be developed
even if it results in the loss of some
wilderness
e. Our oceans will always provide plenty of
fish to meet our needs
f. Nature will always provide enough water
to meet our needs

23. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly
agree

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
nor disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

a. An understanding of how nature works is
as important to a child's education as
reading, writing, and math

b. The intelligence of future generations
will suffer if our society becomes more
isolated from nature
c. Learning more about nature and how it
works is one of my greatest interests
d. I find most insects boring

24. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly
agree

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
nor disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

a. Being in nature helps give meaning and
purpose to my life
b. Being in nature gives me a sense of
peace

c. There have been moments in my life
when nature has helped me feel spiritually
connected to something greater than
myself
d. I care as much about the suffering of
animals as the suffering of people
e. Plants and animals have as much right to
exist as people
f. My spiritual or religious feelings have

little to do with nature

25. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Strongly
agree

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
nor disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

a. I enjoy having things in my home that
remind me of nature
b. People no longer have much to learn
from how things work in nature

c. I am sometimes inspired and feel more
creative when I see things in nature
d. Reading stories about nature is one of
my greatest pleasures
e. Being able to do things outdoors appeals
to me more than doing things indoors
f. Music I enjoy often reminds me of the
outdoors and nature

26. Which one of the following persons most influenced how you think or feel about nature?
  Parent
  Brother/sister
  Grandparent
  Other relative
  Friend

  Teacher
  Camp counselor/Youth group leader
  Scout leader
  Fish/wildlife/outdoor professional
  Other

27. Briefly, what do you think is the single most important thing that nature gives us?

28. Briefly, what experience would you say most influenced how you think or feel about nature?

29. In general, would you say your physical health is...?
  Very good
  Good

  Fair
  Poor
  Very poor

30. In general, would you say your emotional outlook on life is...?
  Very good
  Good

  Fair
  Poor
  Very poor

31. To what extent does your health limit your ability to be involved in each of the following?
Never

Rarely

Sometimes

Often

Always

a. Moderately demanding activities such as
moving a table, pushing a vacuum cleaner,
bowling, or playing golf

b. Significantly demanding activities such as
working outside, climbing a hill, climbing
several flights of stairs, or going on a trip

c. Getting outdoors as much as you'd like
d. Accomplishing as much as you would like
on a daily basis

32. In your opinion, how important is getting outdoors and into nature for helping your
physical health?
  Extremely important
  Very important

  Moderately important
  Slightly important
  Not at all important
  Don't know

33. In your opinion, how important is getting outdoors and into nature for helping your
emotional outlook on life?
  Extremely important
  Very important

  Moderately important

  Slightly important
  Not at all important
  Don't know

34. Overall, how would you rate your quality of life?
  Very good
  Good

  Fair
  Poor
  Very poor

35. How satisfied are you with the each of the following where you live?
Somewhat
Very satisfied
satisfied

Neither
Somewhat
satisfied nor
dissatisfied
dissatisfied

Very
dissatisfied

a. Health services
b. Schools and educational system
c. Access to public transportation

d. Roads

e. Entertainment and arts
f. Places for outdoor and nature recreation
g. Air quality
h. Water quality
i. Parks and open space
j. Safety from crime

36. In your opinion, do we need to increase the number of programs available for Americans to
enjoy nature, the outdoors, and wildlife?
  Strongly agree
  Somewhat agree

  Neither agree nor disagree
  Somewhat disagree
  Strongly disagree

37. In your opinion, are programs for Americans to enjoy nature and wildlife underfunded,
adequately funded, or over‑funded?
  Under‑funded

  Adequately funded
  Over‑funded

  No opinion

38. Which funding sources do you think should help pay the cost of activities related to nature
and wildlife?
Strongly
agree

Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat
agree
nor disagree
disagree

Strongly
disagree

a. Hunting and fishing license fees
b. Small extra charge on bird‑feeding/‑
watching supplies
c. A charge on oil and gas development
  d. Dedicated portion of general tax
revenues from state and federal sources

e. Fines collected for environmental
polluting
f. Small extra charge in state sales tax on
most merchandise
g. Partnering with private sector
organizations to fund programs
h. National Income Tax Check‑off
i. Fee on international travel to and from
the U.S.

Other source of funding (please specify)?

  Thank

you...just a few more questions. You are free to leave blank any question you'd rather
not answer.

39. What is your sex?

  Male

  Female

40. Which best describes the area where you grew up?
  Urban

  Suburban
  Rural

41. Which best describes where you live now?

  Urban
  Suburban
  Rural

42. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?

  No

  Yes

43. What is your race? (check all that apply).
  White
  Black or African American

  American Indian or Alaska Native
  Asian
  Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

44. What is your age?
  18 to 24
  25 to 34
  35 to 44

  45 to 54

  55 to 64
  65 to 74
  75 to 84
  85 or older

45. What is the last grade in school you completed, or degree you received?
  8th grade or less
  High school incomplete (grades 9, 10, 11)
  High school complete (grade 12 or equivalent)

  Some college, no degree
  Associate degree
  College graduate/Bachelor's degree
  Post‑graduate degree such as Master's, PhD, MD, JD

46. Which of the following income categories best describes your total ANNUAL household
income averaged over the past 5 years?
  Less than $15,000
  $15,000 to $24,999

  $25,000 to $49,999
  $50,000 to $74,999

  $75,000 to $99,999
  $100,000 to $124,999
  $125,000 to $149,999
  $150,000 to $199,999
  $200,000 to $249,999
  $250,000 or more

  47. Please

enter your 5‑digit zip code:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, PATIENCE, AND PARTICIPATION
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