This post is in partnership with The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. As always, thoughts/opinions/words are my own. Click here for full disclosures.

I have to be honest with you.

I thought I loved nature.

I mean, this blog is called The Thinking Branch because of the place I used to go when I was a kid when I felt overwhelmed, or just wanted to sit in its beautiful sounds when I felt inspired and wanted to write my poetry. 

I noticed from a young age the benefits it had — the curiosity it sparked and the peace it often created.  I spent many years as a kid digging in the dirt, inspecting bugs, climbing trees and sometimes just laying in the grass appreciating the way the wind cooled off a hot summer day.

I felt bad when I stepped on bugs.

I STILL “love” nature as an adult.

I awe at oddly-shaped trees, I love spending time hiking with my family, I go for walks when I need the mental-health benefits of fresh air and I’m known to over-comment to whoever is with me when nature makes things especially peaceful at sunset.

And I still feel bad if I step on a bug. 

But a few weeks ago, I participated in the Pittsburgh Parks’ Lake Elizabeth clean-up as part of the Earth Month activities … and I quickly realized there’s a whole other definition of “love” when it comes to nature.