Brenna and her dog planned to visit all of Wisconsin’s state parks in a year.
Brenna Spear went to college for something she loved, but when she graduated, there were no full-time jobs in her field. She had to rethink how to include her love of nature in her life.
Brenna grew up on a hobby farm near Omro and was outside all the time — climbing trees, running through cornfields, and caring for the animals. “I was always tromping around in puddles and stuff,” she said. She took all the ag and plant classes the high school offered.
So it wasn’t a huge surprise that Brenna decided to study forestry in college. After graduation, she was excited to get into the work. “But they were not hiring when I graduated.”
After dabbling with some different contract work and part-time jobs, her dad encouraged her to come home and work for a good company outside of her chosen field. Brenna found a good job, but it was not what she had planned. With a job inside, sitting in an office, being outside became an after-work hobby.
Working mostly nights, Brenna needed a way to be active (and outside) during the day. She also needed to find a way to help her dog be active. So she and her pup set out to visit all of the Wisconsin State Parks in a single year.
“They’re all my favorite!” Brenna declared. But seeing so many great parks opened her eyes to the fact that there were amazing outdoor spaces closer to home. “I challenged myself to get outside more without having to drive many hours,” she said.
For several years now, Brenna has been doing just that with the annual Fox-Wolf Watershed Cleanup. The first year she did it by herself, but lately “I’ve been stealing friends to do it with me. It makes it really fun to bring co-workers and their families.”
It turns out, the cleanup combined Brenna’s longing to be outside with her desire to be more involved with the community.
Ironically, it was through her non-forestry job that she first heard about the cleanup. Her employer actively promotes volunteerism, giving employees time and information, but also matching their donations of both time and money.
Brenna figured out how to make the most of this system and looks forward to the cleanup every year.
“I’m starting to recognize faces at the Cleanup,” Brenna said. “I don’t really know them, but people are nice. Everyone is there for a common purpose. And Fox-Wolf staff do a great job connecting with others.”
Brenna readily sees the connection between her time cleaning up trash and her time visiting the state parks.
“I want to visit them all again in 20-30 years to see how it changes. I hope there will be more parks, more green space, more opportunities for people to be out in nature and find their spot.”
Brenna hopes that not just for herself, but for you as well. She likes helping others find their favorite spots. “You have to set yourself up for success,” she advised. “Find the right thing that brings you joy, so that you will enjoy it. And get a snack first.”
Watershed Moments is a publication of Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, sharing the stories of how your donations have impacted lives in our community. Read our latest project updates, make a secure online donation, or become a member at www.fwwa.org
