On this episode of Trail Notes by Trash Free Trails, Rach Coleman introduces us to the first pathway of nature connection; Emotion. We dive into the life and story of Nan Shepherd, a 20th century nature writer who’s words on the Cairngorms in The Living Mountain have taught a generation how to put words to the feelings nature conjures in us. Together, we acknowledge nature’s profound impact on how we feel and reflect on how the attempt to put these feelings into words draws us back into ourselves - creating a profound and dynamic relationship between us and our environment.

‘Find happiness and wonder. Find an emotional bond with, and love, for nature e.g. talking about, and reflecting on your feelings about nature.’

Learn more about Nan Shepherd and The Living Mountain: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poet/nan-shepherd/

2017 Paper ‘Beyond Knowing Nature’, Richardson et al. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0177186

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Purposeful Adventures is Trash Free Trails summer campaign celebrating what nature connection means to you. Find out more and share your adventures: https://www.trashfreetrails.org/purposeful-adventures