Employees’ reactions to nearby nature at their workplace: The wild and the tame

Urban businesses, much like residential places, vary widely in their landscaping practices. Large mowed areas are widespread; native vegetation is far less common. The latter has numerous environmental benefits, but its wilder, rougher texture has not been as widely accepted. Very little of the research on naturalistic vegetation has been carried out in the context of workplaces or addressing the reactions of the employees. This study is a step in this direction. Using a survey and photo-questionnaire, employees along a major business corridor were asked about their nearby natural setting, satisfactions, preferences, and desired changed to the landscape. With respect to ground texture the findings show that the more prairie-like, less groomed areas can be very effective. A few large trees can make a substantial difference, and in denser vegetation a suggestion of a path enhanced satisfaction. The treatment of parking lots poses particular challenges, but these too can be landscaped with native vegetation to great advantage. Comparison of the preference ratings by the employee sample and a much larger general sample showed striking parallels. Preference for nature settings, especially of a walkable scale, are far greater than for places with major buildings or parking areas. Nonetheless, the study offers encouragement for the use of ecologically sounder practices as part of the nearby natural environment.