We asked Nadja to explain what a nature connection core routine is,
and to tell us a little about the two routines referred to in the article, Meet Nadja Vol Ochs, Vashon Wilderness Program’s New Executive Director, Part 2
By Nadja Vol Ochs
Core routines or routines of connection are simple, repeatable practices that help people build a meaningful, personal relationship with the natural world and themselves over time. Rather than one-time activities, they are experiences we return to again and again, allowing skills, awareness, and connection to deepen naturally through familiarity and presence. They are similar to how many people settle into routines such as meditation, yoga, journaling, or any other consistent practice every day.
The sit spot is a beautiful example of this. By returning regularly to the same place outdoors, participants begin to notice subtle changes in that place, shifts in light, sound, weather, and animal and insect activity. This practice strengthens observation skills, attention, and sensory awareness, while also fostering a sense of belonging. Over time, the place becomes known and personal, transforming from “a place in nature” into a relationship. It invites curiosity, patience, and reflection, which are key foundations for both ecological understanding and emotional connection.
Gratitude, as a core routine, offers something equally powerful, but more relational. Time and time again, as we share gratitude as a community through all layers of the organization, we are drawn into each other’s lives, perspectives, and stories. This practice connects us not only to nature, but to one another, anchoring the experience in positivity, hope, celebration, challenges, or joy. It helps participants recognize what they value, name what they notice, and feel part of something larger than themselves.
Together, these routines create a rhythm of connection: to place, to self, and to community. Over time, they nurture both awareness and care, which are at the heart of meaningful learning and relationship with the natural world.
