Fostering a Blog

  This hike felt a little different than the others. I was walking the trail with Dr. Williams, and instead of focusing only on the environment, we ended up talking about basketball, the Masters, and whatever else came up during the walk. The conversation made the trail feel less like a class assignment and more like a regular day spent outside. Even though we weren’t stopping to point out every plant or animal, I still found myself noticing the little things. The sunlight coming through the trees, a squirrel darting across the path, the sound of wind moving through the leaves. It made me realize that appreciating nature doesn’t always mean being quiet or overly focused. Sometimes just being out there and taking it in, even in the middle of a conversation, is enough. This hike reminded me that nature can be part of normal moments and doesn’t always need to feel like an event.

  As soon as the weather started to warm up, I got back into golfing in the mornings. It’s something I used to do more often, but this spring made me want to start again. Getting out on the course early is always better. It’s quiet, the weather is nice, and it feels like a good reset before the rest of the day. This has become a way for me to spend more time outside without it feeling like I have to plan around it. It ties into the stuff we’ve been talking about in class because it shows how nature doesn’t always have to be a hike or a trail. Golf has become part of how I stay connected to the outdoors without thinking too hard about it.

  Walking through Highland Park, I noticed how much the river running through the middle adds to the space. The trees around it, the way the sidewalks curve with it, and how it cuts right through a developed area all reminded me of what we talk about in class with urban wilderness. You don’t have to be out in the woods to feel like you’re in nature. This was a good example of that. It’s built into the neighborhood, but the trees and water make it feel more open and calm. I probably wouldn’t have thought about it much if it weren’t for this class, but now I notice these things more. It showed me how nature can still be part of everyday places.

Fort Worth Nature Center's Social Media Boost      This semester, our class is working on ways to help the Fort Worth Nature Center improve its social media presence. The Nature Center is an incredible spot that more people should know about—and social media is the perfect way to draw them in. Here are three ideas we’re planning to implement to help FWNC stand out online: 1. Trail Spotlights With so many trails to choose from, it’s easy for visitors to feel unsure about where to start. We’ll create quick highlight posts for different trails—covering views, length, difficulty, and best times to go. It’s a simple way to make the Nature Center feel more accessible and inviting to first-timers. 2. Wildlife of the Week From bison to birds, FWNC is full of unique animals. A “Wildlife of the Week” series would spotlight a new species each week with photos, fun facts, and where you might find them. It’s educational, eye-catching, and gives people a reason to follow along. 3....

  Before the Flood  Reaction Watching Before the Flood showed just how serious climate change has become and how much the Earth is changing because of it. The film follows Leonardo DiCaprio as he travels around the world, visiting places already impacted by rising temperatures, deforestation, and pollution. Seeing these changes firsthand made the issue feel more real compared to just reading about it or seeing statistics. It reinforced how climate change isn’t just a future problem—it’s happening now. One of the biggest takeaways for me was how much human activity has shaped the environment. In class, we’ve discussed how urban expansion and industrialization continue to replace natural spaces, and this documentary showed exactly that. Cities keep growing, forests are being cleared, and pollution is increasing, all leading to a cycle that speeds up climate change. The film made me think about how much we take from the environment without considering long-term consequences. Ano...

Lazy Saturday Baseball has always been a sport that blends perfectly with nature. The crisp air, the warmth of the sun cutting through a slight breeze, and the endless blue sky stretching above the field—it all adds to the experience. Sitting in the stands, watching the game unfold, there's a certain rhythm to it, one that matches the movement of the world around it. The sound of the wind rustling through the trees beyond the outfield fence, the smell of fresh grass, and the occasional chirp of birds soaring above all create an atmosphere that feels both lively and peaceful. Of course, baseball season also means allergy season, and that’s the one downside. The moment spring rolls in, the air is thick with pollen, and I can feel it before I even step foot in the stadium. But even with watery eyes and the occasional sneeze, there’s still something about being here that makes it all worth it. The sun shining down, the smell of the dirt on the infield, and the natural energy of the gam...