Welcome to Human Nature

A journey Into understanding the purpose of the human experience through our connection to nature

My name is Keegan Sentner, and I want to welcome you to Human Nature. As we embark on this journey, I want to introduce myself and share a bit of how we got here. Once we’ve gotten a little more acquainted, we’ll dive into the purpose of this newsletter and what you can expect in the future. Thanks for being here friends, enjoy.

"The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only paradise we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need." - Edward Abbey

As humans, we’ve always been intertwined with our world's natural systems, simply because, we were created by these systems. We’ve too often forgotten that we are products of nature, members of a global environment, with a deeply rooted connection to the wild places and creatures of this Earth.

For myself, my journey to understanding this connection started at a very young age. Throughout my childhood, I found myself entranced by the stories of individuals and communities who lived in unison with nature. From the divers exploring the depths of the oceans to the researchers studying the fascinating creatures that populate our planet’s rainforests - these were the people whose stories captivated my young and curious mind.

These stories inspired me to cultivate my own connection with nature. So much so, that throughout my youth, I burdened my parents by spending countless hours running through the mud in our backyard, swimming in the waves of the Pacific, and trying to understand even the smallest of creatures that crossed my path.

As I got older though, this fascination and curiosity with nature led me to understand something else - there is a contrast between the progression of modern society and the existence of the natural world.

This awakening, which quickly consumed my youthful and angsty teenage mind, set the trajectory for my entire existence.

Growing up outside of Los Angeles, the contrast between society and nature was on full display at all times. The suburban sprawl of Southern California perfectly highlighted the disconnect between people and the planet - this beautiful and mesmerizing landscape overrun by the virtuality of civilization and the neverending bustle of our constructed society.

This was even more exacerbated by the little time I was able to get away from the city. In rare moments of escape, I was able to spend my time hiking under the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada, crossing the vastly uninhabited deserts of the Mojave, or chasing sunsets up the coast of Big Sur.

This ability to leave society and transcend into nature was a privilege and although my younger self may not have realized it - these experiences were the foundation for a worldview that would one day contextualize my entire existence.

As I moved into adulthood, my time spent outdoors also started to provide a deeper understanding of myself. At the time, I was a young adult who had just left business school and had very little understanding of my purpose in life.

One spring semester in community college, I took a conservation biology course which made me realize that I could make a career out of my love for the planet. For the next decade, the majority of my time was spent researching and studying our world’s natural ecosystems. My entire life became dedicated to understanding ecology, wildlife management, climate change, and the connection between nature and human society.

In the last few years, I’ve strayed away from research and focused on communicating these topics to broader audiences. I’ve worked as an environmental journalist, writer, and documentary filmmaker, chasing stories about the people and individuals on the frontlines of environmental issues.

Throughout this entire process, I’ve also begun to get more serious about cultivating my personal and spiritual relationship with nature - learning to camp, backpack, and care for myself and others in the outdoors. These efforts have led to a profound realization of self-awareness, and the need for my body and mind, to hold a deep connection with the planet.

All of these experiences have led to this - an idea, or more accurately, a feeling. Our species needs to maintain a stronger connection to nature to have any chance of having a future on this planet.

In the past few decades, society has begun to sever the connection between ourselves and nature. We’ve built an increasingly virtual society that no longer prioritizes the protection of the natural world, creating issues such as climate change and plastic pollution, as well as our own issues with anxiety and mental health.

The good news is that we can always find our way back to nature. Through my work, I’ve witnessed people from across the planet who continue to develop a stronger connection with the natural world. I’ve also met many others who have realized the need for a natural presence in their lives and have begun their own journey to reestablish a divine connection with the outdoors.

In many ways, the stories of these individuals and communities have given me hope for the future of our planet and its people.

All of this leads us here, to Human Nature, a newsletter dedicated to exploring the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world.

In practical terms, there will be two aspects to this newsletter. First, I will seek out my own experiences and document these attempts to understand and cultivate my connection with the natural world. The other aspect of this newsletter will come from the stories of others - individuals and communities who are already building a deeper connection to the planet.

Most importantly, though, this platform will work to become a community where people from all around the world can come together to celebrate our existence living on this beautiful and miraculous planet. Together, I’m hoping we can build a place where we can cultivate ideas, collaborate, and simply share in our collective journey.

This will be an evolving process, and I’m excited to see how things develop and change along the way. There will also be more updates and additions to come, but for now, each week, I’ll be sending out a weekly newsletter sharing more about this very important and fascinating subject.

I’m very excited to have you here and to embark on this journey with me. Let this be the beginning of a wild and exciting life where we reclaim our Human Nature.

For any questions about the newsletter or myself, please reach out to KeeganSentner24@gmail.com.

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