Nature connectedness and mindfulness are not new practices. Throughout human existence, cultures have been connected to their environment and dependent on the natural resources provided by the earth's ecosystems, the interconnected systems of biological organisms, and the physical environment. This relationship with the Earth formed the foundation for the cultural norms and the development of a sense of place that taught these early societies to respect and be mindful of their surroundings, appreciating the land, water, air, flora, and fauna. This sense of place establishes a deep connection to the environment, bonding an individual to the natural surroundings. The feelings of comfort, safety, and well-being established by forming a sense of place contribute to the development of stewardship, which is conserving, caring for, and being mindful of the natural environment and its resources.

It is impossible to talk about nature connectedness without recognizing the connection between nature and mindfulness. Nature has the ability to capture our attention. Many of us have found ourselves mesmerized by the colors in a rainbow, captivated by the sound of moving water or the smell of pine trees, hypnotized by moving cloud formation, or a number of other observations of the natural environment. This innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living things is called biophilia, a concept developed by Edward O. Wilson in 1984 (Wilson, 1984). Nature has a way of connecting us with our senses, causing us to pause and be in the moment. In nature, we more often than not allow ourselves to take a deep breath and be more present and mindful. The mindful state heightens our observations, allowing us to notice patterns and rhythms of the environment around us. Mindfulness in nature can help support our inner resilience, connection with the world around us, and capacity to support one another.