When the ordinary becomes extraordinary

Nature has a beautiful way of shifting your perspective. A plant that seems mundane, when examined more closely, may reveal itself to be lifesaving. An animal you consider a pest may sustain one you admire. A sunny landscape you pass every day could be the last remaining habitat for your favorite butterfly. As we go about our busy lives, we are often unaware of the many remarkable things unfolding in the natural world around us.

Yet nature works its quiet magic in another way, too. If you take the time to listen or look more closely, a deeper understanding of the world around you can inspire you to change a habit, find wonder in something you once thought ordinary, or, best of all, leave you wanting to learn more.

This is one of my favorite things about spending time outside—whether hiking, wandering through a garden, or sitting beside the quiet pond at Woodcock. The more time I spend doing these things, the more I notice. And the more I notice, the more questions I have. With each answer comes the realization that humans are only a small part of a truly extraordinary world.

Lenore Herbst has been executive director at Woodcock since 2018. Her favorite place to explore nature is on long hikes with friends or in her garden at home.