<p>In the context of the global transformation of educational goals, it is crucial to enhance students’ learning engagement—defined as their active, sustained, and full participation in learning activities. This study focused on Chinese middle school students, aiming to examine connection to nature and meaning in life contribute to learning engagement. Based on the learning engagement model, Study 1 (<i>N</i> = 626) used a questionnaire survey to examine the relationships among connection to nature, meaning in life, and learning engagement. The results indicated that the mediating role of meaning in life in connection to nature and learning engagement. Additionally, Study 2 (<i>N</i> = 20) employed a 2 (Group: Intervention vs. Control) × 2 (Time: Pre-test vs. Post-test) mixed experimental design to test the effectiveness of group counseling intervention aimed at enhancing meaning in life. The intervention significantly improved both meaning in life and learning engagement among participants with low connection to nature. These findings enrich the learning engagement model by highlighting the roles of connection to nature and meaning in life from both environmental and individual perspectives. The study also emphasizes the importance of fostering meaning in life as a strategy to enhance learning engagement, especially for students with limited access to natural environments. This provides practical guidance for designing school-based mental health interventions.</p>