By Mohitpreet Singh
Donna Kaye recently retired after a 45-year career as an early childhood educator. Reflecting on her work, she emphasized her deep connection with nature and the joy of working outdoors through her Forest Nature Sc
hool program. That joy and her passion for nature led her to start a new initiative.
After retirement, Kaye launched a “Walking in the Woods”program to stay connected with nature and maintain a social outlet. The walks were held once a week, initially attended by her friends, though turnout varied from no participants to up to eight. Despite the unpredictability of participation, Donna found joy in walking alone or with the group.
To ensure a wider reach and better organization, Kaye partnered with
Quinte Conservation. It helped with promotion, registration, and safety waivers, enabling her to focus on leading the walks. With Quinte Conservation’s support, the walks became more structured, allowing Kaye to know in advance who would attend, which she found important given the time and effort she invested.
“I was happy to volunteer my time for these walks because of my long-standing relationship with Quinte Conservation, Kaye shared. Over the past seven years, she had worked on conservation sites through her nature school programs, and this partnership felt like a way to give back to the organization.
These nature walks provided a sense of security and community for participants, especially those who were hesitant to walk alone. Kaye says that starting the week with a walk encouraged participants to venture out more frequently on their own, something she hoped to inspire through her work.
Although she enjoys spending time in nature alone, Kaye recognizes the value of shared experiences. The feedback from participants has been positive, with many appreciating the opportunity to explore new trails and conservation areas. Kaye meticulously prepare for each walk, visiting the sites in advance to plan routes to familiarize herself with the current conditions.
The program has run successfully through the spring and fall months, avoiding the busy holiday season and unpredictable winter weather. By offering a consistent schedule, Kaye hopes to encourage more people to spend time outdoors regularly and eventually consider purchasing annual passes to the conservation areas.
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