Jeremy’s Story

I love nature. I spent much of my childhood roaming the backwoods of America's national parks. My father is a dendrochronologist who studies environmental events through tree ring analysis, and I accompanied him on many research trips throughout my youth. I spent my free time following him along the steep rocky ridges of the Uinta Mountains and across the bucolic and unspoiled landscapes of Glacier and Yellowstone National Park. Through these experiences I have come to really appreciate the positive way nature impacts me. When I am in nature I think more clearly, breathe easier, and find I’m able to reconnect with the parts of myself that matter most.

My favorite way to connect with nature is through bird watching. I love driving down to Utah Lake to see my favorite birds including Great Blue Herons, Double-Crested Cormorants, and Northern Harriers. This hobby works well for me because it gives my outdoor time structure and goals: I get to look for new birds, watch migrations come and go, and see familiar birds live their lives. While I love the birds, they are really just a means to end, a way to get me outside on cold Saturday mornings and into the natural air. 

Through this module I don’t expect you to fall in love with bird watching like I have, but I do hope you can connect with nature and enjoy its restorative benefits in a way that works with your schedule, values, and interests. Nature connection can be solitary or group-oriented, competitive or contemplative, physically taxing or restorative, it is totally up to you.

Check out the reconnecting with the natural world portion of the module for a list of ideas to find the one the works best for you.