Let’s talk about Love. I know it seems a bit early to be talking about Love in the Fall edition of a seasonal newsletter. And you may think it would be a better topic closer to February, but the fact of the matter is that this newsletter’s theme is Deeper Connections with Nature. And loving a person, an animal, or even a place means having a deeper connection. So, let’s talk about Love. I’ll go first…

My first love was a yellow pine forest. And it still is one of my greatest loves. As a kid, growing up in our local mountains, I spent hours outside rambling about through the forest. Climbing to the top of black oak trees watching the world below or laying out on warm granite rocks watching the sky change. To this day, the smell of a pine forest, puts me at ease and makes me happy. The pungent smell of terpenes from the pine trees mixed with the hint of decaying wood and black oak leaves is an instant reset to my nervous system. And while I may have had a small fling with coral reefs in my late teens, by the time I was 20 years old, I was back in the forest. It was and still is a beloved companion. A place where I could be myself, a place where I found hope and inspiration, it was trustworthy and honest, and where I felt authentically connected.

Now, 30 years later I've been lucky enough to have a career in many places that I love, and certainly the grasslands, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodlands that make up the Nature Reserve are also places I’ve fallen in love with. But Love ebbs and flows and recently I've been looking toward getting back to basics with my love of Nature. To spend more time reconnecting in many ways the same way that I first did when I was younger. To be a little stiller and more watchful, more mindful and present. I’m looking to rebuild those deeper connections.

Beginning in October, we’ll be hosting special programs and events meant to create opportunities for you to connect in more meaningful ways with nature by spending time on The Nature Reserve. Become a mindful observer of the natural environment through a Nature Journaling Class. Learn skills and techniques for watching and recording flora, fauna, and the natural changes occurring on the land. Or join us for Forest Bathing on The Nature Reserve and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature while surrounded by majestic oaks. There will also be opportunities for Outdoor Yoga and Art in Nature Workshops.

As we move into through the fall season, join us in finding ways to connect in a deeper and more meaningful way with the natural world. To discover a place, a love, where you can find hope and inspiration, a place where you can be yourself, a place where you can build a deeper connection with nature.