Take It Outdoors with Humanities in Nature Walks
Humanities in Nature at Lazy 5 Regional Park. Photos: Nevada Humanities/Megan Berner.
By Staff of Nevada Humanities
“We all unconsciously use elements in the toolbox of the humanities - curiosity, reflection, observation - when we explore the world around us. Through the humanities, we can learn about our human relationship with nature and the environment in new and exciting ways.”
Nevada Humanities has been having fun outside this spring with Humanities in Nature, an outdoor program that integrates the humanities into an exploration of the natural world, which is part of a joyful collaboration with Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. These walks have introduced northern Nevada residents to their outdoor environment and encouraged them to explore and reimagine the outdoors through the lens of human connection and creation. Participants in these walks are guided by both a naturalist and a humanities expert to create a deeper connection between ecological education and stewardship and our connection to place. Those who participate have received a copy of our humanities nature guide, Sagebrush to Sandstone: A Humanities Guide to Outdoor Nevada. A participant at a recent event noted that, “I really enjoy these walks; they have taught me to think about things in new ways.”
Photo: Nevada Humanities/Bridget Lera.
“As an AmeriCorp member serving with the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, I have truly enjoyed immersing myself in the beautiful parks and trails of our community. It has been an even bigger treat to collaborate with the amazing poets and authors that Nevada Humanities has connected us with. Experiencing nature with the poetic expertise of our guest speakers has given me a different perspective to the local spaces I have explored since I was a child. Watching the connections form between our participants, local parks and poetry has made this a truly inspiring experience.”
Humanities in Nature events are happening across northern Nevada at these locations:
June 9, 2022, 6–7 pm at Damonte Ranch Park with Dustin Howard
June 30, 2022, 6–7 pm at Idlewild Park with Spoken Views Collective
July 21, 2022, 6–7 pm at Oxbow Nature Study Area with Joanne Mallari
A full listing of upcoming Humanities in Nature walks locations and start times, as well as information about Sagebrush to Sandstone, is on the Nevada Humanities website. These events do require advance registration. You are welcome to learn more and register here.
