Nature In Your Words and Pictures

We asked what nature means to you—and you answered.

Last updated September 28, 2022

Three young people sit facing the Victoria Falls waterfalls as the wind blows their hair. — Victoria Falls: Three people share the beauty of the waterfalls. © Harry Randell

Something changes when we go outside. Our spirits are lifted and the stresses of everyday life shrink away. We find inspiration by observing the big things, like epic landscapes, and the small things, like the patterns of moss on a rock.

Nature gives us all a little something different. That’s why we asked participants of The Nature Conservancy’s previous photo contests to share reflections on just how meaningful nature is in their lives.

This is what nature means to you:

Nature is everything to me. It reminds me of who I am, it pushes me to leave the comfort zone and feel alive every second of my existence.

Natalia Kuzmina

A rocky island and ice covering the surface of Lake Baikal in Russia. — **Frozen Lake Baikal** Ice on Lake Baikal in Russia. This photo was entered into The Nature Conservancy's 2018 Photo Contest. © Natalia Kuzmina

Only in nature can we find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

Dan Snyder

Aerial view of water moving around rock formations at La Push Beach in Washington. — La Push Beach Aerial of rock formations at La Push, WA. This photo was entered into The Nature Conservancy's 2018 Photo Contest. © Dan Snyder

South Meadow Creek Lake Colorful sunset during a warm summer night at South Meadow Creek Lake in the Tobacco Root Mountains, Montana. © Colton Stiffler

“Spending time out here helps to keep me grounded and reminds me that we have a deep connection to this earth and responsibility to protect it.

Colton Stiffler

Nature makes life magical.

Tracy Colson

A closeup underwater view of a manatee snout taking a breath at the surface of the water in Crystal River, Florida. — Manatee Takes a Breath A manatee takes a breath at the surface in Crystal River, Florida. © Tracy Colson/TNC Photo Contest 2018

Nature matters to me because it sustains my spiritual, emotional and physical well-being. It’s a place where I can feel alive.

Angela Reed

A wide view of a lake surrounded by forest near McCall, Oregon. — **Lake in Oregon** Lake in an enchanted forest near McCall, OR © Angela Reed

Nature not only gives myself & others peace of mind, a sense of balance and the wonderment of its beauty, but it sustains all of our lives as well. We need to embrace nature & protect nature’s life & in doing so protecting our own

Tammy Stewart

A donkey grazes on a farm bathed in misty sunlight in Townsend, Tennessee. — Farm in Tennessee A donkey grazes at a farm in Townsend, TN. This photo was entered into The Nature Conservancy's 2018 Photo Contest. © Tammy Stewart

Snow-covered trees surround a lake that reflects Hallet Peak during an early season snowfall in Rocky Mountain National Park. — Rocky Mountain Lake Snow-covered trees with reflection of Hallet Peak during an early season snowfall in Rocky Mountain National Park. Part of The Nature Conservancy's 2018 Photo Contest. © Andrew Lockwood

Nature has always been a place of reflection for me, a place where I can slow down & process everything going on in my life. Finding an undisturbed location in nature & having it all to myself...allows my mind to focus creatively.

Andrew Lockwood

Being in the woods calms me, centers me and soothes my soul.

Cindy Christina

Burned trees and understory regrowth after a fire in Sweet Home, Oregon. — **Forest regrowth in Oregon** Forest regrowth after a fire in Sweet Home, OR. This photo was entered into The Nature Conservancy's 2018 Photo Contest. © Cindy Christina

Nature is a constant reminder of both mortality & also our resilience. Life adapts to so many contrasting environments. Life overcomes so many challenges & obstacles, evolving over the ages to become stronger, learning & growing.

Sidra Monreal