Wanderings And Ponderings

Every conference has its standout moments. The conversations that linger. The connections that feel both familiar and energizing. The reminders of why we do the work we do. During my time in Tulsa with ORPS, I experienced one of those moments, and it became an unexpected highlight of the entire trip. I had the chance to reconnect with a colleague whose perspective I deeply value. In the rush of conference schedules, with sessions, panels, hallway chats, and an endless list of names and faces, it can be easy to move quickly from one obligation to the next. But this conversation slowed everything down in the best way. It grounded me. It reminded me that our field advances not only because of research, policy, and practice, but because of relationships. There is something powerful about talking with someone who understands the complexity of our work. Outdoor recreation, community wellbeing, workforce development, and resource management all intersect in ways that are both challenging and...