Ru Mahoney
RU MAHONEY is a freelance Science Impact Producer based in Seattle, WA. She works at the nexus of conservation, education, and storytelling to catalyze interdisciplinary approaches to increasing science literacy and engaging public audiences. Her research on science communication has been supported by the National Science Foundation, and she has been a contributor to Jackson Hole WILD, Science Media Awards and Summit in the HUB, Utah Public Radio, TEDxHunstville, and the National Children's Forest program. Ru is currently a research and impact production consultant on two feature-length documentaries.
3 words to describe Nature?
Primal. Nostalgic. Restorative.
3 things Nature taught you?
That change is inevitable, that those who adapt thrive, and that if you make Nature your home you can be at home anywhere.
3 most treasured Nature spots?
Lake Superior is powerful. I spent a lot of summers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. If I could buy a lake cottage tomorrow, it would be somewhere along the coast of Superior.
The west coast of Scotland is stunning. My father's family emigrated from there, so I'm a little biased. But there's a reason the drive from Glencoe to the Isle of Skye is world-famous. I'll keep going back as long as I'm living. It's all my favorite colors and landscapes in a beautiful day's drive. Even if it's cold and rainy, which is often.
Pololu Valley on The Big Island in Hawai`i is worth getting up before dawn for. It's wild north shore waves, stacked mountain cliffs, and moss covered trees all in one. Plus the trail down gives a perfect vantage for watching the sunrise so the sea cliffs slide through gradients of pink and gray light. It's really special.
When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel...?
Dangerously prone to immediate wanderlust.
When you see a forest, it makes you feel...?
Present. This is my happy place and where I go if I need clarity and peace.
When you see a volcano, it makes you feel...?
Insignificant. I recently had the chance to be very close to gushing lava and my reaction was surprisingly visceral. I often feel a sense of belonging to nature. Like it knows me, and if I'm respectful I will be safeguarded. (That's not really true of course, but that feeling makes me careful but brave.) With the lava I felt a strong sense of not belonging. It was an interesting first for me.
When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel...?
Really conscious of time passing, and a determination to make the most of it.
When you hear thunder, it makes you feel...?
Calm. Happy calm. That might sound counter-intuitive, but I grew up in Florida where thunder was frequent. I think it triggers a sense of nostalgia and well-being for me. It's definitely the best soundtrack to sleep to.
When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel...?
Introspective. Like change might be coming, either outside or inside myself.
Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person?
Mostly forest for sure, but forest near the ocean. The smell of salt in the air is one of those simple things that make me feel grounded and deeply satisfied. I recently moved to the Pacific Northwest and I can't get enough of being near beautiful forests that smell like salt and earth. It's definitely where I feel most like myself.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being?
10! It's an enormous part of my identity and the catalyst for most of my self-knowledge.
Share with us a childhood nature memory?
My family spent quite a lot of time outdoors. My parents where both school teachers and we lived out of a van in the summers, usually heading north to the Boundary Waters, into Canada, sometimes taking trains further north when there weren't any roads to take. I didn't know the term "dirtbagger" then, but we were living that lifestyle to the max every summer of my life. It fundamentally shaped who I am.
One summer we were camping near Au Train, MI and there were northern lights. I was pretty young - maybe six or seven? - but I remember my parents waking me up and giving me a big blanket to wrap up in. Then my dad put me up on top of our van and I remember sitting up on the roof watching the aurora and thinking the world was full of magic.
My mother
Families are complicated. After 15 years of tumultuous and often absent communication, my mother and I have mended our differences and picked up where we left off, back to a time when our relationship was what one of a mother-son should be. A lot of who I am today is because of her, even my love of nature. As a young boy, she always made sure that we spent as much time exploring the shores of the St-Lawrence river or roaming the local woods. I am really grateful for the values and skills she taught me. Thank you mother.
3 words to describe Nature?
Beauty, Respect and Strength
3 things Nature taught you?
That beauty doesn’t cost a thing. That it is the best place for your mind to wander and meditate. That we need to respect it because, simply, we are part of it.
3 most treasured Nature spots?
Close to water so that I can hear the sound of waves or the sound of a running creek. Leaning against a tree so that I can feel its energy. Walking under the rain, even better when it is warm.
When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel...?
In peace, meditative, and small.
When you see a forest, it makes you feel...?
If alone, I am a bit worried. If I am with others, I feel in harmony, I feel the energy.
When you see a volcano, it makes you feel...?
In awe... from far away. But also insecure.
When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel...?
Happy, calm, mesmerized by the perfect beauty. I am fascinated by how it changes, how it evolves - the colors, shades and forms.
When you hear thunder, it makes you feel...?
I simply love hearing thunder! It is so delightful! It is exciting! I want to run outside and watch the storm... from sitting on a chair on a veranda though!
When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel...?
I love falling asleep to the sound of the wind whistling. That said, I wouldn’t want to be in a hurricane or tornado - terrifying!
Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person?
Water!! Whether the ocean, a river, or a creek.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being?
10. But at the same time, I am not dependant on it to be happy.
Share with us a childhood nature memory?
One memory I have is at my grand parents’ chalet, there was a vast field nearby where we gathered wild berries. Another one is by the St-Lawrence River where I spent countless hours playing in tide pools looking for little fish and shells. I also remember loving relaxing in a hammock, looking up to the sky and the top of trees, just letting my imagination run free.
Meredith Shirk
MEREDITH SHIRK is the founder of Svelte, a multifaceted approach to attaining one’s optimal lifestyle. Shirk is passionate about achieving peak performance and has consulted for major fitness brands. She is currently developing a line of health food products. She holds a NASM Personal trainer and Fitness Nutrition Specialist Certifications and is a former 3x All - America collegiate water polo player.
3 words to describe Nature?
Powerful. Unmoving. Serene
3 things Nature taught you?
Sufficiency. Patience. To Be humble
3 most treasured Nature spots?
7 Sisters, Baja Mexico. Open Ocean near West palm beach Florida. Under the ocean
When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel...?
Calm. Reflective. Grateful
When you see a forest, it makes you feel...?
Small. Appreciative. Awe struck
When you see a volcano, it makes you feel...?
Vulnerable. Curious. Amazed
When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel...?
Happy. Peaceful. Like time has stopped
When you hear thunder, it makes you feel...?
Excited. A bit scared. Intrigued
When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel...?
Nostalgic. Restless. Like I need to nestle in
Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person?
OCEAN ;)
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being?
12
Share with us a childhood nature memory?
I used to dive the reefs of west palm beach with my father and sisters. No matter what mood i was in every time i was submerged in the ocean water, everything was calm. One afternoon my dad took me to dive the "Breakers Reef" and I remember diving down to the bottom (maybe 10 feet), and just sitting there. I was just 13 or 14 years old, but I vividly remember seeing a large group of jacks swimming in front of me. They were HUGE fish, but just so graceful in the water... That moment has stuck with me as I just remember the feeling of being so small in something so vast and beautiful...
Cody Shirk
CODY SHIRK is an international investor who sources his deals by one simple method: exploring.
3 words to describe Nature?
Pure, vast, mystery
3 things Nature taught you?
Humility, joy, fear
3 most treasured Nature spots?
Channel Islands (off of California), Baja desert, Central America jungle
When you look at the ocean, it makes you feel...?
Humbled
When you see a forest, it makes you feel...?
Curious
When you see a volcano, it makes you feel...?
Fearful
When you see a sunrise or sunset, it makes you feel...?
Lucky
When you hear thunder, it makes you feel...?
Alive
When you hear the wind howling, it makes you feel...?
Aware
Are you an Ocean, Mountain, Forest, or Desert person?
Ocean
On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is Nature to your well-being?
9
Share with us a childhood nature memory?
I grew up in a rural area of Malibu, CA. I didn't have any friends that lived close by, so I'd spend most of my days hiking or surfing by myself. On the weekends, I'd often pack a small backpack with water and food. I'd just start walking into the hills, bushwhacking the coastal chaparral and avoiding cactus. I always wanted to know what was around the next corner, because I knew there was a good chance no one had ever walked the ground that I was on. I've always like that feeling. The feeling of mystery. Of curiosity. Of knowing that the next corner could be hiding an incredible secret. On one of these hikes, I had probably walked several miles into the hills. It had taken me hours of climbing over rocks, avoiding yucca bushes, and picking ticks off my arms. I was probably 12 years old at the time, so although I was adventurous, I still had that childhood fear of the unknown inside of me. I ended up hiking into a dried up creek bed with sheer stone walls on either side. After walking up the creek bed for a little while I came to a huge rock that was a waterfall during the rainy season. At the base of the waterfall was a small amount of water. I couldn't hike up the waterfall face and either side was impassible. It was a box canyon. What I didn't notice was that there was an enormous coyote drinking water from the tiny amount of left over water. It's grey coat perfectly blended in with the stone background. Frozen in fear, I just looked at the animal. I realized that I had completely blocked it's exit, and I knew that I was in an extremely vulnerable position. I though the coyote was going to eat me. I just stood there. The coyote finally walked towards me and passed by me within an arms length. It didn't run and it didn't avoid me. It just casually walked by while making perfect eye contact. Maybe some kind of mutual understanding.