I remember being a restless child in school and staring at my desk. During class, I would be daydreaming into an imagined world where I could see all the molecules on the surface of my desk slowly rearranging so that even in dense material, for not one single moment, was a solid object the same on a microscopic level as it was just the moment before.

 

That sense of wonder, and seeking for a feeling of the infinite, has never left me.

 

Today, when I am not in the woods or knee-deep in vernal pools, I am often found reading about the outdoors or planning my next trip. I am always prepared to discover a new local spot, seek out that species that has eluded me, or to pick up a friend who has never found a salamander by headlamp.

 

I believe that no experience outside is too small to learn from and no outdoor space is lacking the feeling of the wild if you cultivate the ability to focus on what is around you. Being outdoors always brings me awe and inspiration.

 

As my connection and knowledge of the outdoors grow, so does my ability to translate the patterns and unique language of nature to others. Even with more distractions at their fingertips than ever, our children are still seeking this connection to the wild and craving access to this language. It is essential. In a sometimes strange and volatile world, the ability to intimately learn something precious and vital about our Earth is a powerfully grounding skill for everyone.

 

Meet me in the woods.