From Mountain Streams to Museum Streets: Reconnecting with Nature in Urban Life
by Rick LoBello
I walked quietly along a mountain stream in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona. The forested landscape, the sound of water, the rustle of leaves all left me with a renewed spirit. Back in El Paso, I returned to my work with fresh energy and a deeper sense of purpose.
The next day I attended a leadership challenge training sponsored by the City of El Paso. As I wandered through downtown museums, I couldn’t help but reflect on the contrast between the natural beauty I’d just experienced and the concrete environment surrounding me. This is how many people live—surrounded by buildings, disconnected from the rhythms of the natural world.
This disconnection, often called the “extinction of experience,” has real consequences. It can affect our mental and physical health, diminish our environmental awareness, and weaken our commitment to conservation. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Every chance I get, I try to help people connect with nature. I believe that when people experience the beauty and peace of natural spaces, they begin to value them. And when they value nature, they’re more likely to stand up for it.
Urban design can play a powerful role here. Cities that prioritize green spaces, tree-lined streets, and access to nature can help restore that connection. It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about wellbeing, community, and the future of our planet.
Here in El Paso our Zoo and local parks like Franklin Mountains State Park and other protected areas in the city and in our region are important parts of our system of green spaces. Get outside and enjoy them and connect with your natural environment.
Photos by Rick LoBello