It’s in our Nature

Going for a walk every day with my dog is more than a routine—it’s an essential part of my wellbeing. Whether I’m wandering through the parks, driving out to the lake, or walking along the Nova Scotia coast when I’m able to get home, being in nature resets me. I look up at the treetops, breathe in the scent of the forest, and listen to the leaves crinkling under my feet, and something in me settles.

This connection probably goes back to childhood, when I spent time with my family on Volksmarches in Germany, learning that walking in nature was a kind of medicine. As an adult, I’ve rediscovered that wisdom through practices like sit spot and forest bathing. Nature has always been my prescription for health—steadying, healing, and reminding me to slow down and take a moment just for myself.

I have been involved in protecting nature since 1982 when I first worked at Parks Canada. I then worked for the Canadian Wildlife Federation and was the CEO of Nature Canada for 16 years. I sat on the Board of Birdlife International for 10 years and am Vice Chair of WWF Board now. Conserving large swaths of nature is, in my opinion, one of Canada’s international obligations because we still have intact natural areas left and those do not exist in many other parts of the world. We are the breeding ground for millions of birds and have the longest coastline in the world. We must protect nature. Getting out into nature is so important for our mental health and I try to do that as much as possible!

Nature makes me feel relaxed, happy, amazed! Spending time in the forest or along the coasts makes me feel part of something bigger than just work, life, and me. I also work in environment, although from behind a desk. As a risk assessor for contaminated sites, I try to make our world healthier to live in by assessing risks to human health and the environment and recommend clean ups where needed. And all of this is possible because I am lucky to live on Vancouver Island: although human activities have affected nature, there is also lots of wild to discover between the mountains and the sea for my dogs and me.

I was born and raised in a country whose culture is so disconnected from nature that leaving your home was very unsafe. Violence was everywhere. When I moved to Canada, I immediately felt the safety of the forest, grasslands, and mountains around me. Ever since, it’s been my goal to understand ecology and be as observant as I can! I love to spend time sitting outside my house watching the birds and the weather and understanding how they interacted with each other. I love to walk by the river and find little plants that I may not know, taking notes about them, and going home to research them. I want to be a worthy steward of the land and be able to help preserve it in my own way.

I’ve spent time living in all of the Atlantic Provinces (except PEI, but I’ve visited many times!). I have been able to explore the bay of Fundy and the Atlantic Ocean several times over and have loved every part of it. I’m your average every day nature enthusiast who seeks out ways to be in nature every day that I am healthy enough to get up and get out there!

I am in awe of the brilliance and beauty that all aspects of nature has to offer. Nature has been therapeutic for me in so many ways. It helps calm my spinning thoughts and antsy energy, it keeps me curious and adventurous, it gave me the space I needed to figure myself out in several different ways, it grounds my philosophy that diversity is the name of the game and learning to love it all is how we win and has fostered a renewed sense of spirituality that has been key in finally feeling like I am on the right path so to speak.

From watching Zoboomafoo as a child to completing a Master of Environmental Science degree, I have been a lover of the science of life throughout my time earthside. My life’s mission is to understand the science of life: how it manifests, its diversity, and how to protect biodiversity. I enjoy hiking, walking by the Humber River and Lake Ontario, cycling through the various trails of Toronto, and going on field course excursions. My interests lie particularly in the study of birds, insects and fishes. I believe that we, as humans, have a responsibility to steward all life on Mother Earth – we are both a part of and separate from Nature. As well, I have a deep respect for Indigenous conservation science and practice, including the Seventh-Generation Principle. From a spiritual standpoint, I believe all life is sacred, and I am doing all I can to play an active role in mitigating the biodiversity and climate crises.

I have always loved the outdoors, however it has only been in the last 10 years or so that I have come to truly appreciate it. My camera was instrumental in making that happen. The lens helped me to really see the beauty around us. Time in nature has now become my “reset” when I need to clear my head, to gain perspective, and to re-energize. I will take every opportunity to get out, often with a camera in hand to explore our parks, green spaces and even our own backyard. There is life and beauty everywhere. As the saying goes – it makes me a better person – both physically and mentally. I have severe osteoarthritis and some days it is challenging to take even short walks however if I choose the right path, pace myself and take my time, I can be out there like any well-seasoned adventurer.

Nature has shaped not only who I am, but how I move through the world and what I believe I am responsible for. My relationship with the outdoors, and especially with climbing, has deeply influenced my identity, wellbeing, and sense of purpose.

Climbing taught me that growth does not come from force or domination, but from awareness, patience, and trust. Outdoors, I learned to listen to my body, to recognize limits without shame, and to understand that rest and failure are essential parts of progress. Being in nature has been foundational to my mental/emotional wellbeing. It grounds me, helps me regulate stress, and gives me clarity in moments when life feels overwhelming or uncertain.

As a Muslim/Arab woman, my experience in outdoor spaces has also been shaped by questions of access, safety, and belonging. The outdoors is often framed as neutral or universally welcoming, but in reality, many people are excluded by design, culture, and unspoken norms. Through climbing, I became more aware of who is represented, who feels welcome, and who is missing. That awareness has shaped my worldview and my commitment to change.

I actively work to create and support outdoor spaces where people from underrepresented communities can participate without having to compromise their identity. This includes challenging the idea that the outdoors is only for a certain type of person, advocating for inclusive programming/leadership, and contributing to communities that prioritize respect, safety, and accountability. I believe access to nature is essential to wellbeing, connection, and self-determination.

Nature continues to inform how I live and lead. It has taught me responsibility to place, to community, and to one another. My relationship with the outdoors is not just personal. It is about who gets access to healing, challenge, and belonging, and who does not. I choose to be part of building an outdoor culture that reflects the full diversity of the world we live in.

I have been working as an Architectural Designer for 25 years. The intensity of this industry led me to experience high levels of stress for years. To escape, I spent many years on wild, global adventures, but I eventually burnt out.

With motherhood came a new sense of urgency to take care of myself, repair my relationship with the Earth, with this land, to rise rooted and cultivate a brighter future. Sharing this powerful practice with others is my soul mission. I have been Certified Nature Therapy Guide for over 7 years and have guided over 1000 people on Forest Therapy walks and Nature Immersion experiences.

I am blessed to be able to live and guide on the lands of the Haudenosaunee, Algonquin, Huron-Wendat and the Anishinaabe Nations in Eastern Ontario. I am also a Director with the UNESCO, Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network and love supporting the land that I live and guide on through my work with this organization.

Nature has always been a part of who I am. It brings me peace in a busy world, fosters my curiosity, and provides excitement in the form of wildness and beauty. I am about to graduate from the university of northern British Columbia after studying wildlife and fisheries in both college and university. I have moved to BC from my home in Ontario to do so, and in the process, I have experienced some of the diversity of ecosystems and wildlife that Canada has to offer. Caring for nature and allowing it to be apart of who I am gives me purpose. I hope to share this passion with others through storytelling. Our planet provides endless inspiration.