Just as seasons evolve and change, so do our book lists, calendar of discussions and ability to finish our reading assignments. During the planning call I cast my vote for the trio of nature themed books, highlighting an ability to compare and contrast (as we naturally do) between them throughout the season. Alas, just as the leaves turn golden and fall from the trees, so to my fellow readers fell; one by one from their task of finishing the books. Luckily for them, I was already inspired by the stories, essays and reflections I read, culminating in Julian Aguon’s final quote: “in the fight against climate change – the fight of our lives – we will not win by way of facts. But we might by way of stories.”

Below are the provided prompt questions we discussed, inspired by A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing from Soil to Stars edited by Erin Sharkey and No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies: a Lyric Essay by Julian Aguon. We invite you to reflect, respond, and share as you feel moved.

When have you used the outside world to escape from your current reality? What did that do for you when you returned to your current reality? 

Think about a time when being outside made you feel free. What was it about that experience that made you feel big, expansive and flowing like the wind? 

When did nature teach you a lesson? What was that lesson?  

What does nature teach us about grief? 

Is there an elder in your life that has taught you something about nature? How did they go about their teaching? 

Is there a physical space that you feel a deep connection to? How did you know this place was something special to you?

Is there a living thing in nature that means something special to you? Is it a plant? Is it an animal? What is it about this living thing that speaks to you? 

What have you learned about nature from someone from a different culture than you?

Tell us a nature story.