-6.88%
more nature exposure around schools linked to fewer chronically absent students
Exact: 6.88% lower chronic absenteeism
Schools with greater nature exposure had 6.88% lower chronic absenteeism
Using propensity score matching and Bayesian inference across 2,686 California K-12 schools (2020–2024), nature exposure was associated with a 6.88% reduction in chronic absenteeism (Cohen's d = 0.44, p < .001, n = 2,035). This was the largest individual effect observed, surpassing all energy retrofit interventions tested alone. It also yielded the highest return on investment at 16.1% with an estimated 3,191 recovered instructional days annually.
Nature exposure demonstrated the largest standalone effect, with schools exhibiting 6.88% lower chronic absenteeism (d = 0.44, p < .001; n = 2,035).
Related findings
1.52×
Less greenspace linked to higher odds of cases accepted for child protective services
Census blocks with <10% greenspace had 1.52× the odds of a case being accepted for CPS services compared to blocks with >30% greenspace
Yuan He et al., 2024, Child Abuse & Neglect
1.52×
Less greenspace linked to higher odds of substantiated child maltreatment reports
Census blocks with <10% greenspace had 1.52× the odds of a substantiated CPS report compared to blocks with >30% greenspace
Yuan He et al., 2024, Child Abuse & Neglect
meaningful pre-to-post increase in intention to join the organised hiking tour
Virtual nature exposure significantly increased intention to participate in an organised hiking tour
Elena Brambilla et al., 2025, JMIR Serious Games
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