Abstract

This study investigates the psychological factors influencing intentions to protect urban wetlands in Punta Arenas, Chile. It examines residents’ perceptions and valuations of urban wetlands, exploring relationships between wetland-specific variables and broader environmental and place-based factors. A theoretical model is tested, incorporating place attachment, connectedness with nature, and previous pro-environmental behaviors. The study utilizes a survey with 297 participants and employs structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The results reveal a complex interplay between place-based identities, general environmental orientations, and wetland-specific cognitions in shaping conservation intentions. Connectedness to nature emerges as a central factor influencing both attitudinal and behavioral intention pathways toward wetland protection. The study’s findings have implications for targeted interventions and policy decisions aimed at promoting wetland conservation in urban areas. © 2025 by the authors.