Global biodiversity is currently facing a crisis, with human activities accelerating the extinction of species and the degradation of ecosystems. Within the broader community working to protect nature, naturalists stand out as a distinctive group and often play a critical role in conservation efforts. Identity is a fundamental concept in social psychology; however, its application in conservation education has been limited.
In a study published in PsyCh Journal, researchers from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences introduced the first validated scale to measure “naturalist identity” and revealed how this identity can drive meaningful action for biodiversity conservation.
Naturalist identity refers to the extent to which individuals see themselves as someone who is curious about, knowledgeable about, and engaged with the natural world, similar to the identity of an amateur naturalist. Unlike general “environmental identity” which focuses on attitudes and values, naturalist identity includes both self-recognition (e.g. “I consider myself a naturalist”) and competence (e.g. “I can explain natural phenomena to others”).
Using a mixed-methods approach, including interviews with naturalists, surveys, and statistical modeling, the researchers developed a 10-item Naturalist Identity Scale (NIS). The scale was tested across more than 800 participants, including both self-identified naturalists and university students, and showed strong reliability and validity.
They found that a stronger naturalist identity is associated with more frequent biodiversity conservation actions, such as intervening when wildlife is harmed or sharing nature-related knowledge. Importantly, this relationship is partially explained by a sense of moral obligation: people who strongly identify as naturalists are more likely to feel personally responsible for protecting biodiversity, which in turn motivates them to take conservation actions.
“Naturalist identity doesn’t just predict what people know or feel, it predicts what they actually do,” said Dr. CHEN Jin. “And a key part of that process is the feeling that you ought to help.”
The researchers suggested that fostering naturalist identity, especially among young people, could be a powerful strategy for conservation education. Programs that build both recognition (e.g. being seen by others as a naturalist) and competence (e.g. learning to identify species or use field guides) may help turn casual interest into lasting commitment.
"Our findings suggest that conservation education should go beyond teaching facts about biodiversity. It should help individuals see themselves as people who can and should make a difference," added CHEN.
First published: 4 May 2026
