Simple line drawing of a plant with a tall central stem, six leaves, and a small flower near the base.
The Environmentalist
PHOTO ESSAY

The Timeless Connection Between Humans and Nature

Embracing this timeless connection—despite initial hesitations and the growing presence of technology—is essential, as it forms the foundation of environmentalism and reminds us of our inherent ability to coexist with the natural world.

7 minute read
People hiking on a grassy trail with wildflowers, trees, and a lighthouse in the background under a clear sky.

Summer Impressions

Many people find the natural world intimidating, as modern life has conditioned us to live surrounded by advanced infrastructure and technology, rarely engaging directly with the outdoors. Stepping into nature often pushes individuals out of their comfort zones, especially the deeper they immerse themselves. Though it may take longer for some, everyone has the potential to reconnect with the timeless bond we share with nature—a connection deeply ingrained in us. After all, humans once lived in harmony with the natural world, coexisting with it as part of our daily lives. Though it may feel unfamiliar at first, people often discover that these seemingly foreign environments become surprisingly comfortable. Embracing this timeless connection—despite initial hesitations and the growing presence of technology—is essential, as it forms the foundation of environmentalism and reminds us of our inherent ability to coexist with the natural world.

Four people walking on rocky cliffs near the sea under a clear blue sky.

Guided and sheltered endeavors: 


watching from afar and following the paved road

View of green hills and a fenced field under a cloudy blue sky seen through a car window and side mirror.
Person in a blue jacket walking on a gravel path with stone and wooden fence posts on either side, overlooking grassy fields under a cloudy sky.
Wooden trail sign pointing to Eagle Trail on a grassy outdoor path with tents and a cabin in the background under bright sunlight.
Two people sitting at a picnic table near a waterfront with boats docked, framed by trees at sunset.

Taking initiative to further the adventure-the thrill of a simple


meander outweighs its minor and occasional hardships

Hikers climbing a steep trail overlooking a coastal arch bridge spanning a rocky shoreline with blue ocean water.
Two people wearing jackets and beanies standing on hexagonal basalt columns by the sea under a cloudy sky.
Person in white shirt holding and looking at a folded hiking trail map in a wooded area with sunlight filtering through trees.
Two people walking on layered rocky shoreline near the ocean with clear sky.

Rocks rock! A newfound fascination for the smaller things.

Person kneeling on a pebble beach wearing a white T-shirt with red print, with small stones arranged in two lines on their legs.
Person wearing a white cowboy hat leaning against a rock face while causing loose dirt and rocks to fall.
Person lying on a rocky beach near the ocean, wearing a headscarf and swimsuit, with a bottle nearby.
Three women walking and exploring a green, densely vegetated forest path on a sunny day.
Three people stirring and eating a mixture of pink and dark food in a large metal bowl on a wooden picnic table.
Close-up of a person holding a large dragonfly on their finger while sitting in a canoe on a calm river.
Person wearing white Reebok sneakers and socks standing on a rocky surface next to a green fern leaf with sunlight and shadow patterns.

Overnighters-accepting less acceptable forms of shelter because

the experience is worth the back pain

Black SUV parked near an orange and blue tent at sunset with mountains and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
Person wearing a striped beanie and white long-sleeve shirt sitting inside a brightly colored tent with the Marmot logo on the fabric.
Two tents, one yellow and one blue, set up on grassy cliff overlooking the ocean near pine trees at sunset.
Three people near a lake in a mountainous area during dusk, one sitting and the others standing, surrounded by rocky peaks.

Solitude is bliss-finding comfort in being solo–


are we ever really alone in the outdoors?

Silhouette of a person wearing a cowboy hat standing on a rocky hill at sunset with mountains and colorful sky in the background.
Person in a purple jacket walking on a rocky beach near ocean waves with yellow flowers in the foreground.
Hiker wearing a backpack and a colorful beanie looking down while standing on a rocky hill with sunlit mountainous terrain in the background.
Person wearing a dark jacket and colorful beanie standing on a rocky beach facing the ocean under a cloudy sky.

Doing the damn thing-no longer watching from afar and doing what


was once incomprehensible. The thrill of it all (the meander, the


beauty, the bliss) outweighs every major hardship. 

Hiker wearing mask and sunglasses holding two trekking poles standing next to a large packed backpack on rocky mountain trail under clear blue sky.
Blue denim jacket hanging on a tree branch with green leaves and blue sky in the background.
Silhouettes of three people standing in calm water under a bright sun in a clear sky.
Hiker with backpack and trekking poles walking on rocky trail surrounded by large boulders and distant mountainous landscape.
Silhouettes of two people standing with arms raised on a rocky cliff against a bright sunset over a body of water.

More from this Issue:

Flock of sandhill cranes flying in a clear blue sky.
Photo Essay

The Incredible Migration of Sandhill Cranes 

James Bitner

Large red tomato with various windows and miniature people walking on it, resembling a surreal house.
Sustainability

Tomato, Perspective, Traces

Lauren Kim

Watercolor painting of a tree with partially green and brown leaves against a blue sky, with a fence and small trees in the background.
Local

The Superfund site that ties UC Berkeley to Toxic Waste Contamination

Yashal Sarfaraz

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