At least, not exactly.

This trip was just the kind of experience that first made me want to work in the environmental field. Growing up I craved “pristine” wilderness experiences. As I child, I remember trying to find the exact spot along the Milwaukee River where I couldn’t see any buildings above the trees and then pretend I was not in a city.

In the last few years, something has shifted in the way I appreciate “wilderness.” I noticed it very distinctly on our most recent staff retreat at Camp Silverbrook in West Bend. On my first retreat, 6 years ago, I remember thinking, “You know, this would be just perfect if I couldn’t hear the highway.” But this time, I noticed that the highway sounds didn’t bother me as much. In a way I appreciated them; they were a reminder of how easy it is to get to a beautiful outdoor place.

Similarly, I’ve come to appreciate places like Three Bridges Park for their accessibility and the way they are connected to the urban landscape, rather than their “away-ness.” It’s pretty incredible to stand on the 33rd Ct. Bridge and hear on one side the sounds of a manufacturing facility while on the other side hear the persistent chattering of a kingfisher as it swoops to catch a fish in the river.

Because we live in a society that tends to cultivate feelings of stress, self-importance and an illusion of independence, places where we can feel calm and small and connected are tremendously important. So, these small snatches of green space, where we do most of our work, feel just as sacred as Denali to me. And even if it’s not “subarctic,” I think you can (and should!) find splendor there.