A shared love of nature and education drew Kat Panther and Leslie Senn to their volunteer roles at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. Both are volunteer naturalists in their 70s who lead guided hikes, host staff discovery stations, and help connect visitors to nature through a variety of hands-on experiences. The duo lead Midweek Nature Strolls on the second Wednesday of each month at 10am for those interested in learning more about the natural world and the beauty of the forest environment.
“We choose the mornings for the hikes because that’s the best time to see the wildflowers, birds and creatures moving about,” Leslie says. “One of the purposes of these walks is to take our hikers to areas of Bernheim Forest they may not have been to before.”
Kat says she and Leslie weave poetry, art, and history into these slow-paced walks through the forest trails.
“In January our stroll was titled Friendship Like the Holly Tree, taken from an Emily Bronte poem,” Kat says. “Poets often write poetry inspired by nature, and our Holly Collection has so many stories to tell.
“We now have some regular hikers each month, and sometimes visitors join us. Everyone has something to add to the hikes.”
Leslie says the Midweek Nature Strolls program has allowed her to continue using her experience as a teacher and enabled her to be outdoors and to build new friendships.
Kat adds that volunteering has helped provide structure and organization to her life in retirement, two things that were important during her professional life as a director of programs at Frazier Rehab Institute.
“I thought I was going to be more ‘go with the flow’ in my retired life,” Kat says. “But no, having a schedule and operating in planning mode apparently are part of my DNA. I have taken on an organizer role for the annual Bernheim BugFest event, and that really floats my boat!”
Both Kat and Leslie encourage other retirees to consider volunteering. They say this type of involvement gets you out of the house and provides an opportunity to interact with others and maintain a connection to the community.
“Everyone has a smile, a helping hand, or a skill they can share,” Leslie says. “In return you gain friendships, have a connection outside of your home and a reason to get up. Volunteering gives me a sense of purpose and engagement, and having an event on my schedule motivates me to get out and enjoy the day with others, to converse, and exercise. No matter what your interests are, there is somewhere in the community that needs you.”
“Volunteering is such a gift — you receive more than you give,” Kat adds. “I’m so proud to be a volunteer with Bernheim Forest. I love the Bernheim family of volunteers and staff. I love the peace of mind I feel when I’m there, and I love what I’ve learned and that I can pass something along to our visitors.”
By Kym Voorhees Raque
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