Emma Joyner- Your Brain on Nature

 At the beginning of Your Brain on Nature, Selhub and Logan (2012) suggest their childhood relationship with nature matured into a deeper care and understanding of our natural world, stating “These experiences allow us to recognize and appreciate the value of nature and the importance of environmental protection” (p. 8). This is something I can surely relate to as I spent the majority of my childhood in the woods and swamps surrounding my home. Furthermore, this fascination with nature has blossomed into adulthood, where I am currently pursuing a career in animal-related science. While childhood memories may have fueled my initial interest in nature, it is my current experiences in the outdoors that truly inspire me to protect, preserve, and care about it. When I had the opportunity to camp and hike in the Everglades, I could not pass it up. Despite these notable experiences in the outdoors, the human connection to nature may be inherent according to the “biophilia” theory (Selhub & Logan, 2012, p. 8 ). This term was coined by Edward O. Wilson who noticed culturally universal preferences for certain aspects of nature. Furthermore, the reason for these affinities has to do with our early human ancestors’ drive for self-preservation which has essentially extended into our modern selves (Selhub & Logan, 2012, p. 9). In class, this reminded me of our discussion on aesthetics. Similarly, we noticed similar environment-related preferences across cultures. Biophilia encompasses several key aspects: the innate human attraction to nature, the restorative and healing effects of natural environments on mental and physical well-being, the desire to protect and preserve the natural world, and the sense of interconnectedness between humans and nature. It also emphasizes the importance of incorporating natural elements into our daily lives, whether through outdoor activities, urban design, or fostering environmental stewardship (Selhub & Logan, 2012, p. 8-32). Biophilia rejects the notion that we are visitors in the outdoors but rather we have a natural affinity for the outdoors that can be harnessed for personal growth and development. This deeper understanding calls us to embrace environmental stewardship not as a moral obligation in isolation, but as part of our evolutionary heritage – a responsibility we can’t ignore.

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