The Spark that Lit my Fire

Photo Credit: Diana Zebroski

A Lightbulb Moment

 I would like to begin with a personal story to illustrate why I am so passionate about accessible nature for all and the inspiration behind starting this blog.

 A few years ago, I took an Environmental Justice class at Indiana University South Bend with my mentor and professor, Dr. Monica Tetzlaff. We explored American Environmental history and how ethnic groups, such as African Americans, Native Americans, and Latinos, historically lived in harmony with nature by relying on the land. However, systemic oppression intentionally distanced them from their connection to nature traditions.

I had to read a book called Black Earth Wisdom by American farmer and educator Leah Penniman, and it was in this book that I had a light bulb moment that inspired me to pursue a career in Environmental Education. There was a passage that said that African American and Latino children are the most nature-deprived due to where they live. 

This broke my heart into tiny little pieces! All children should have the chance and opportunity to play outside and enjoy the wonders of nature, no matter where they live. 

" The goal of life is living in agreement with nature." - Zeno

Photo Credit: Diana Zebroski

Growing up with Nature in an Urban Environment

I believe that all children deserve access to nature, thanks to my own memories and reflections in nature. I grew up in a very urban environment in one of the bigger cities in the Netherlands. Still, I have fond memories of nature, such as climbing trees, visiting our local pond, gathering nuts and berries, and walking through the nearby park with my friends, where we would play soccer, hide and seek, and have small picnics on the grass. My nature memories have shaped me into the person that I am today. I carry my love for nature because of these memories, as well as the childlike wonder that playing outside instilled in me. 

The Root Cause

In this class, we learned another layer to the issue of children's limited exposure to nature. This time, due to spending more time indoors because of the rapid advancement of technology in our modern society. This phenomenon is impacting our children's mental and physical development, and it needs to be addressed to foster health and well-being, while also inspiring younger generations to become advocates for our environment during the climate crisis of our lifetime. 

Sustainability, the term broadly stands for "Meeting the needs of present generations, without compromising the needs of future generations." How are children supposed to care for and about our environment if they are purposely separated from it due to these technological advancements and systemic oppression?

I invite my readers to join me on a deep dive where I will share my personal stories, explain Nature Deficit Disorder, offer solutions for getting your family outdoors even if you don't have access to green spaces, and I hope to inspire a spark that ignites your passion for understanding how connecting with nature benefits us all.