Final Project Paper & Presentation

Nina Bacon, Maddie Droguett, Meredith Goldberg
Dr. Dan Williams
HCOL 4000
5 December 2023

Nature's Classroom: Surmounting Challenges and Cultivating Connections

For our concluding presentation, we opted to address two recurrent semester themes: surmounting challenges and employing nature for interpersonal connection. As a group, we had unexpected experiences while exploring nature in this class, such as when we went canoeing and volunteering at the nature reserve. Despite encountering challenging circumstances, we managed to forge meaningful memories and now reflect upon the trials with humor. Additionally, by exploring nature with our journals throughout the semester, we contemplated on messages imparted by our loved ones, creating new experiences in sacred natural spaces.

Our first major takeaway from this class is in relation to the impact of nature on our mental and physical wellbeings. We found, from our experience this semester, that overcoming challenges in nature continuously helped reveal to us hidden beauty that we frequently overlook. Undoubtedly, this semester presented us with a multitude of challenges and obstacles, whether during our ventures at the nature reserve or on our educational canoe excursion to Benbrook Lake. It is relatively easy to acknowledge and relish the aesthetic and therapeutic dimensions of nature when you are sitting in a hammock, overlooking beautiful mountains, or laying on a tropical beach. However, typically, when working in nature and facing difficulties, we escape as fast as possible. For instance, on a rainy and dreary day, it is common to watch individuals run with their head down from their car to the store in hopes of escaping the “ugly” bits of nature. But, this semester we chose to face these challenges, and in a way, conquer them. If we stopped attending the nature reserve after the extreme heat and tree incident, we would never have gotten to witness the vast amount of invasive species we removed. Similarly, if we called it quits on our last rainy day volunteering, we would have lost the opportunity to work with friends, in nature, both appreciating the bamboo but also making room for wildlife to thrive. There is simply more reward when working hard for something. Just as purchasing a new sweater can spark bits of joy, it is more meaningful when it is earned and not just handed to you. We often take for granted the parts of nature that exist without our interference or assistance; however, when we work to conserve and protect our environment, we have an increased appreciation for its beauty.

Throughout this course, we have been constantly blown away by the power nature possesses in fostering connections with loved ones. For Meredith, the repetition of flowers and plants found in the Mary Oliver poems resonated greatly with her. Her paternal grandfather used to always say, “let the living smell the flowers” meaning that if you have something kind to say to someone, say it while they are still able to appreciate it. Don’t wait until it is too late to let someone know just how much they mean to you., Mary Oliver’s poem “When the Roses Speak, I listen” builds upon this concept of living a joyful and fruitful life through shedding one’s inhibitions and focusing on those things in life that bring immense abundance. Additionally, the sheer presence of being surrounded by nature can also strengthen human connection. When embarking on our nature walks, we typically asked a friend to accompany us. Immersing oneself in nature can bring deep reflection and serenity. Walking with a friend allows for a deepening of a friendship by providing an intentional opportunity to spend quality time with someone amidst a tranquil environment. Remarkably, our nature walks became a catalyst for reunions with friends not seen for months, even years. Nature was the unifying force in rekindling these connections.

These intentional moments allowed us to invest quality time in our relationships. For Maddie, the use of nature journaling allowed her to make new friends and spend time with old ones. For many of her nature explorations, she went on those adventures with her partner who is an avid nature lover. It was a wonderful opportunity to take part in a hobby that her partner loved, bringing the two of them closer together. She was also able to spend time with a new friend, Nina, while canoeing together as a class. It's beautiful to remark on how nature can bring people together and forge new relationships.


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