Nature Brings Out the Best in Us

People Need Nature

I like the quotation “people need nature, nature does not need people.”  When we are in the natural world, in our backyards, parks, forests, backcountry or high up in the mountains, we feel peace, tranquility and contentment.

Hi, my name is Susan Murray. I have volunteered in the outdoors since my 20s. It started with an ad in the L.A. Times when they asked for volunteers to count Bighorn Sheep in the San Bernardino Mountains. Just sitting in the beautiful mountains, observing, listening, and contributing to an environmental cause, got my husband and me hooked. That led to helping set up water features off the beaten path in the desert, then to trail projects in Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and many other places. Our friends found it unusual and “not what they would do” with their vacation time. But we were drawn to the wilderness, to contribute to it and to meet like-minded individuals.

My Introduction to ConservationVIP

ConservationVIP is an organization that makes it easy for people to go to beautiful places, to meet local people, and to contribute. In short, it helps people to “Travel with Purpose.” It combines being in a great landscapes or cultural heritage site, with the ability to immerse oneself, to contribute to the lands with locals and in the community.

My first trip with ConservationVIP was to the Galapagos. Not only did I love the animals, locals, and islands, but I also met friends I still communicate with. Life brings us on many paths. On this trip, ConservationVIP asked me to become a trip leader. In June, I completed my 7^th trip.

Connecting to Nature in the Virgin Islands

One of the trips I lead is on St. John, a National Park, in the US Virgin Islands. What a treat to be on this island, near Cinnamon Beach, one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the world!

On the Virgin Islands Volunteer Trip, we sleep in the forest in large tents on platforms.  We listen to the sounds of crashing waves, birds, frogs, and insects at night. There is a kitchen platform in the center. The leaders wake up early and head for the kitchen to make some of the best Puerto Rican coffee (from Mark, our leader) for the early risers. After eating breakfast and fixing lunches, off we go to our projects.

Conservation Projects in the Virgin Islands

In the Virgin Islands, we collaborate with the Friends of Virgin Islands organization. They are, indeed, friends. They are fun, take good care of us, and make sure we are happy and healthy. The weather can be hot and humid. Nevertheless, our groups persevere to do the brushing and cutting needed to open views around historical structures and to preserve them and their history.
We also plant new trees and bushes. They support the ongoing initiative to prevent erosion and to regrow native flora wiped out by the devastating hurricanes in 2017.

The views “from our office for the day” never get old. After a day of volunteering we come back to camp and are rewarded with lounging on the white sandy beach, blue sea, and sky. Our travelers meet locals who speak about the history, medicinal plants, birds, and the sea. The beauty, the people we meet and the contributions we make all inspire us.

A Legacy Received and Passed On

We are lucky to be in the locations where we travel.  Often there is a legacy. ConservationVIP was founded by individuals with experience at the National Park Service and USDA Forest Service whose hearts were into doing good. Because of their reputation and passion, ConservationVIP is invited to work in these special places. Our travelers continue to uphold this legacy and build on this trust through their conservation project activities, attitude, and interests. Mark Hardgrove, who is our Director of Field Operations, once said “our volunteers are special.”  I did not know what it meant at the time, but now I do. People who volunteer with ConservationVIP ARE special. They believe that nature brings out the best in them. They come together to be safe, have fun, and make a difference.

Following Our Hearts to Nature

Nature is not a coincidence and life is not either. We follow our hearts to the places where we feel most happy and content. That is where we like to contribute and give back.