Charlotte Fowler - Nature's hospitality

He also used the example of thinking about nature as someone’s home. Forests, rivers, and coastlines aren’t empty spaces, they’re lived-in environments for countless species. When you see it that way, respect becomes more than just a guideline, it’s common decency. You wouldn’t walk into someone’s home and leave trash, damage things, or ignore their presence, so it shouldn’t be any different outdoors. At the same time, people often move through nature as if it belongs to them. Trails can start to feel like something we “own” or control, rather than spaces we’re borrowing. That mindset can make it easier to ignore the impact we have, whether it’s stepping off trail, disturbing wildlife, or leaving things behind. It creates a subtle distance between us and the environment, where we see ourselves as separate and in charge instead of just one part of a larger system.

Thinking more about nature’s hospitality, it shows up in really basic but important ways. The shade of trees, the stability of a trail, access to fresh air and water. These are things we rely on without always noticing. Nature doesn’t provide these things for us specifically, but they’re still available to us, which can feel like a kind of quiet generosity. At the same time, that hospitality has limits. Ecosystems can only handle so much disturbance, and when those limits are pushed, the balance that makes those spaces livable starts to break down. So being a guest in nature also means recognizing those limits and acting accordingly. Overall, this way of thinking encourages a more respectful relationship with nature, one that’s grounded in a sense of shared belonging and responsibility. Next time I’m in nature, I’ll be more conscious of who lives there, more aware of how I move through it, and more grateful for the hospitality it offers.