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Welcome to the Nature at Work Community – Introduce Yourself!
Hello everyone! I’m Susan Johnson, Founder & CEO of Nature at Work and Founder/Strategic Lead of the South Carolina Healthy Business Challenge. I’m so glad you’re here.
This space is where we can get to know each other and start building connections across our Nature at Work community. Please take a moment to introduce yourself! You might share:
• Your name, organization, and role
• What brought you to Nature at Work
• One way you connect with nature in your personal or professional life
I’ll start in the comments below. Can’t wait to meet you all!
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10 Replies
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Hi everyone! I’m Susan Johnson, Founder & CEO of Nature at Work.
One of my favorite ways to connect with nature is on my daily jogs. There’s a path through the marsh to the dock in my neighborhood where I always slow down, turn off my headphones, and walk mindfully—listening to the birds, feeling the breeze, and sometimes snapping a photo.
Can’t wait to hear your stories and see how you bring nature into your day!
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Maria Ouzounidis
Global Eco Adventures (GEA)
Board Member (Event Planner and Public Relations)
Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Dr. Susan Johnson, Founder of Nature at Work, on a variety of environmental education initiatives throughout South Carolina including the South Carolina 7 (SC7)—a 30-day expedition featuring hiking, rafting, climbing, tubing, and kayaking across the state—as well as PowerPlantSC, a large-scale tree-planting initiative that originated from the Governor’s Floodwater Commission. We’ve also participated together in organizing numerous events such as Earth Day celebrations, litter cleanups, and press conferences with other like-minded environmental partners. This long-standing collaboration and shared passion for conservation and community engagement made partnering with Nature at Work a natural next step.
One of my favorite ways to connect with nature is during the summer months in Greece. As the birthplace of Western civilization, Greece offers a unique blend of natural beauty and ancient history. Spending time among historic ruins and centuries-old cities is a powerful reminder of how people once lived in harmony with the land—a perspective that deepens my appreciation for both the past and the natural world around us.
As a proud Greek, I find endless inspiration in the country’s landscapes—especially on islands like Santorini, where striking black and red sand beaches meet the iconic volcanic caldera. The awe-inspiring views, fresh local food, and warm Mediterranean climate create an environment that invites reflection, renewal, and a deep connection to the earth.
This sense of connection and reverence for nature aligns closely with the mission of Nature at Work. Just as my experiences in Greece ground me in the importance of preserving natural and cultural heritage, Nature at Work promotes deeper engagement with the environment through education, conservation, and meaningful outdoor experiences.
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This reply was modified 5 months, 3 weeks ago by Maria.
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Maria, I’m so grateful for the opporunities to collaborate with you and GEA over the years through SC7 and so many great projects. I’m so glad you’re part of this next chapter with Nature at Work!
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This reply was modified 5 months, 3 weeks ago by
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Hi everyone!
My name is Kaya Fagerstrom. I’m one of the lucky Nature at Work interns this fall and am grateful to be here.
I’m an avid rock climber and outdoor enthusiast who has felt the benefits of engagement with the natural world first hand. Lovely to meet you all!
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Welcome, Kaya! We’re so glad to have you on the team this fall. Your love for the outdoors and hands-on experience are such a great fit for Nature at Work!
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Hello! My name is Amel Stewart and I’m one of the interns for Nature at Work this fall. I feel deeply connected to nature while I’m walking! Whether I’m on the beach, on my neighborhood bike path, or on a hiking trail, I always feel like my best self when I’m walking outside. I’m so excited to be a part of Nature at Work because of the educational opportunities about the importance of a nature-based work/life balance, and to join the movement of people who know that nature has a place in every aspect of our lives.
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Welcome, Amel! Congratulations on your new position with the Sustainability Institute’s Restoration Crew, I know you’ll bring great perspective from that hands-on experience to your work with Nature at Work!
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Hello! I’m Michelle McCollum, President & CEO of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor. We manage several large-scale, statewide programs to include SC7, SC Trail Towns, the SC Resilience Conference, The Southern Edge Magazine, and the Barbados Carolina Connection Project.
I have had the honor of working closely with Susan on each of these initiatives over the past five years and her passion, experience, work ethic and knowledge is a true inspiration. I cannot wait to see what we do with Nature at Work under her leadership.
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Michelle, I’m so grateful for your partnership and friendship through all we’ve built together over the years. You’ve been such a driving force behind connecting people, places, and purpose across South Carolina and I’m so excited to continue that work together through Nature at Work!
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Hi Everyone,
I am Rick Crawford, a husband, father, nature nerd, and fly fishing-obsessed sustainability consultant. I am also the founder of Emerger Strategies, host of The Sustainable Angler Podcast, and founder of the Fly Fishing Climate Alliance.
Emerger Strategies turns sustainability from a confusing obligation into a clear business advantage. From retailer compliance and GHG accounting to sustainable packaging, EPR compliance & reporting, we help you do it right — efficiently, credibly, and with confidence.
<strong data-start=”0″ data-end=”34″ data-is-only-node=””>The Sustainable Angler podcast is your go-to source for insightful conversations about sustainability, conservation, and the future of fishing.
The Fly Fishing Climate Alliance is made up of fly fishing guides, shops, lodges, brands, and nonprofits committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 because we understand that climate change is negatively affecting the fisheries that our businesses depend upon.
I am thrilled to be a founding member of Nature at Work because I know that nature has the ability to heal us, inspires us, and makes us better human beings! Looking forward to connecting with everyone!
Protect what you love,
Rick
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