River Ramblings: How the James Helped Me Find My Flow

   

    In 2020, after graduating from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Geology, I moved up to Richmond, Virginia to “see about a girl” pursuing a PhD at Virginia Commonwealth University. With lockdowns still in place and large group organization discouraged, I was struggling to find human connection and purpose. In this time, I found solace along the James in well-known places like Belle Isle and Texas Beach. With my dog and river shoes, we journeyed through the river and my imagination ran wild thinking of the monumental importance and gifts this watershed provided for humans, plants, animals, and the surrounding ecosystem throughout time. My anxious thoughts about finding a job, making money, and the uncertainties of the future seemed microscopic compared to the steady flow of the water and the evolving natural world around it.

     In those quiet moments, surrounded by nature, I felt a deep connection to something much larger than myself—something ancient, resilient, and enduring. I believe these biophilic experiences or human connections to nature profoundly impact our relationships and are essential for shifting perspectives and habits towards our environment. In this blog, I aim to explore ideas, foster discussions, and engage with differing perspectives to promote a sense of reciprocity with the James River, working toward a more sustainable, equitable, and thriving environment for all who depend on it. As a charge, I’m reminded of a quote from the book Rooted by Lyanda Lynn Haupt. 

“When we allow ourselves greater freedom in space and place than has come to be the norm, we create our own pathways of meaning and knowledge upon the land where we dwell. Wandering freely, we garner landmarks, presences, ecological awareness, a sense of kithship. Our brains and our hearts alike gather this knowledge as we become intimate with the paths that speak to us most strongly. Our footsteps in the outer world create an inner, wilder cartography that whispers, This way, this way…”

― Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit

    I hope that by sharing this context and my goals of this project, I open up this community to free discussion, engagement, and social learning. Stay tuned for surveys, interviews, and James River discussions. Feel free to comment on this post or join the reddit group for thoughts, discussions, and ideas. 

Reddit Group: https://www.reddit.com/r/JamesRiverRamblers/