Get into nature

- What inspires and rejuvenates you? For me, spending time in nature reminds me that we are but one living species on this marvelous planet. We are part of a beautiful story, and we can help make it even better. I live in an urban area, but I've found parks and paths that provide the type of complex natural environment I need to gather perspective. Think about your home. What does the landscape around you look like? Are there migrating animals like Monarch Butterflies? When do certain plants, like Milkweed, bloom? Taking time to slow down and connect with nature can help us reflect on why we continue to take steps on our sustainability journey. And connecting with nature doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice the comforts you enjoy, like the technology in the palms of our hands. In fact, there are some fabulous digital tools that can help us identify natural phenomena and share data with people all over the world while we're connecting with nature. One of my favorite tools is called iNaturalist, and I use it like my personal field guide. I relocated to California from my home state of Wisconsin. And the western flora and fauna are a lot different from the species I grew up with. I use the iNaturalist app on my hikes and take photos of living things I find interesting. The uploaded photos are shared with fellow naturalists. And scientists all over the world can use the data to answer scientific questions. This type of community or citizen science is a powerful way to connect with the natural world. And it's likely that the natural environment is changing around you. And by making observations, you can help scientists and resource managers understand when and where those changes are taking place. For a workplace solution, have you considered holding a team off-site at a local natural area? Some of the most impactful team building experiences I've had have taken place while we hiked together. And recent research suggests that we're physically and mentally more healthy when we're interacting with nature. Win-win. You might also consider hosting a bioblitz. A communal citizen science effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible. Think of it like a scavenger hunt for living things. To do even more good in the world, consider organizing or joining a beach, park, or trail cleanup. There are ways for us to take action every day to improve and beautify the communities we live and work in. In our busy lives, it's important to take time to slow down and appreciate the incredible complexity that thrives in our natural world.