Reminding yourself why it matters

It can be so easy to stay inside and forget that there's a busy world out there. And when bad news about nature appears in the headlines, as it so often does, it's easy to shut down and say it doesn't matter anyway. But all wealth comes from nature. Plants take care of us and support the giant web of wildlife. We need nature, even if it's sticky, crawly, dirty, and scary.
Here are a few ways to remind yourself of the wonderfulness of nature and to remember that it's worth speaking up for.

• Visit an ecosystem at risk. I just spent a week on St. Helena island in South Carolina, the largest salt marshes in the U.S. I fell in love with the tiny crabs that scuttle out at low tide. They skitter around the exposed sea grass, frantically scooping invisible food into their mouths with both claws.
  Seeing this ecosystem reminded me why it is so important to prevent sea level rise. The lawns of the resort ran right up to the grasses where these creatures live. You can bet that when the sea rises, these homeowners will fight as hard as they can to keep their property intact. If there's no sea grass exposed at low tide, where will the crabs scuttle? Then what will the birds eat? And with no birds, who will the alligators eat? The 1%?
• Go for a walk. If you can't get to an ecosystem like the one described above, find one near you. Parks and hiking tails are numerous. Even in cities, there are surprises. There's a little river trail behind the Law School in Hartford, excellent planters in the square by Devil's Gear in New Haven, entire meadows on Prospect Street by Yale. I found a mini-preserve in the woods by walking to the end of my suburban street. There’s nothing like a little forest time to reset your mind. 
• Sit and watch. If you find a surprise wild place, or just a plant-filled yard, stop and look. Adjust your eyes to smaller and smaller critters, and you will be amazed at who you find. Even if you don't see any insects, there is a lot to notice about plants.
• Read. Maybe it's dark out. Or you're wearing a stupid outfit. You can stay inside and read. There's some great science writing about different places and natural processes that will give you a deeper appreciation for what you see. I recommend Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, and Tree by David Suzuki and Wayne Grady. There are dozens more out there, these are just ones that I am reading.
• Grow something. Anything. Houseplants, (spider plants are good) vegetables (beans and potatoes are easy) or annual flowers. Even now, in September, you can still plant a fun fall pot of annuals. Growing things reassures us of our relationship with the planet, how it sustains us, and how we sustain it as well.
  
• Learn some names. Find a book, online guide, or dorky friend to help you learn to identify some trees, plants, or invasives. I first began recognizing plants at my aunt’s farm a few years ago. She taught me the names of some weeds, and it was like learning to read. Knowing the names of plants helps you see patterns and helps you feel less alone on this huge planet.

So, go experience something new and weird out there. It does not need to be transcendent. It can take five minutes. All you need to do is be open to and appreciative of the lessons nature can teach us if we stop to look.