A longing for the natural past: unexplored benefits and impacts of a nostalgic approach toward restoration in ecology

Kevin G. Willson; Justin L. Hart; Bettina Zengel

doi:10.1111/rec.12985

journal article Jun 21, 2019

A longing for the natural past: unexplored benefits and impacts of a nostalgic approach toward restoration in ecology

Kevin G. Willson

Justin L. Hart Bettina Zengel

Restoration Ecology Vol. 27 No. 5 pp. 949-954 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/rec.12985

Abstract

Nostalgia has endured a negative societal perception since its inception, which influences how it is deployed in ecological restoration. However, the emotion has undergone a paradigmatic shift over the past 15 years with new quantitative psychological research providing insight into complex and oftentimes positive effects. In particular, personal nostalgia can increase social connectedness, optimism, self‐esteem, inspiration, openness, creativity, and charitable giving. Here, we view ecological nostalgia, which we define as a desire to return a degraded ecosystem to a past state that complements bittersweet memories of a better ecological period, as an accompanying motivator for applied ecological restoration. However, some restoration ecology circles presently reject the connection with nostalgia, which excludes potential benefits for restoration practices. We provide a survey of recent psychological nostalgia research to critique and reevaluate the stigma surrounding nostalgia in restoration. By doing so, we are optimistic that more informed views of nostalgia will be adopted by the restoration community to cautiously embrace a connection that can help motivate ecological restoration activities.

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Details

Published: Jun 21, 2019
Vol/Issue: 27(5)
Pages: 949-954
License: View

Authors

K

Kevin G. Willson

Department of Biology University of New Mexico Albuquerque NM 87106 U.S.A.

J

Justin L. Hart

Department of Geography University of Alabama Tuscaloosa AL 35487 U.S.A.

B

Bettina Zengel

Department of Psychology University of Essex Colchester U.K.

Cite This Article

Kevin G. Willson, Justin L. Hart, Bettina Zengel (2019). A longing for the natural past: unexplored benefits and impacts of a nostalgic approach toward restoration in ecology. Restoration Ecology, 27(5), 949-954. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12985

A longing for the natural past: unexplored benefits and impacts of a nostalgic approach toward restoration in ecology

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