Nature Journals I - Entry 1

 After our first Treks and Texts class, I took a short walk around campus and made a conscious effort to slow down and notice the natural environment around me. It was a mild January afternoon, with temperatures in the 60s and a steady breeze pushing clouds quickly across the sky. Students moved in every direction, filling the sidewalks as they rushed to class, and I was reminded of how busy campus life can feel even when surrounded by green space. 

I noticed several large live oak trees, which are common in Texas and easy to recognize by their wide branches and thick, curved trunks. Their dark green leaves contrasted with the lighter grass below, and fallen leaves covered parts of the sidewalk. I also saw crepe myrtle trees beginning to lose their flowers, with faded pink petals scattered along the grass. 

As I walked, I heard birds moving between branches and the faint sound of insects, even in winter. The air felt calm, and a light breeze moved the leaves and branches, reminding me that nature is always active, even during quieter seasons. I also became more aware of how controlled this environment is. The grass is trimmed, the trees are spaced evenly, and everything feels intentional. 

This short walk helped me realize how disconnected I usually am from nature, even when it is right in front of me. Campus nature feels safe and curated, which is comforting but also limiting. Paying attention made me realize that environmental awareness begins with observation, even in familiar places. This experience showed me that nature not only exists in wild spaces, but also alongside daily student life. 

Comments

  1. williams.dan76January 20, 2026 at 10:52 AM

    Great start to your blog, thanks. I appreciate that you could slow down to notice the natural world that surrounds us. These days all of us are disconnected from nature, since our urban lives keeps pushing us from one thing to the next thing, and there are always things. But perhaps our class can take time to slow down and observe.

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