Exploitative vs. appreciative use of nature – Two interpretations of utilization and their relevance for environmental education

•The direction of item wording and its modification.•The specific view of utilization, exploiting or appreciation nature.•A clear message for educators when planning their environmental programs, since as more as people appreciate nature for personal gain as more they preserve the environment.

Environmental attitudes traditionally are measured with quantification of Preservation and, Utilization (2-MEV). With a sample of 308 Irish students, we once again confirmed the 2-MEV model, with several negatively formulated Utilization items loading on the Preservation factor, and negatively, formulated Preservation items loading on the Utilization factor. Exploitative and appreciative Utilization are shown to be distinct by a slightly negative correlation which even disappears when controlled for Preservation. Multiple regression analysis showed positive predictive validity of Preservation in relation to the appreciative use of nature, but negligible predictive validity in relation to exploitative Utilization. Consequently, a clear message exists for educators when planning their environmental programs: The more people appreciate nature for personal benefits, the more they preserve the environment.