A gratitude challenge
Winter solstice always invites a moment of pause. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on what grounds us, inspires us, and helps us persevere.
This solstice season, some of Trustees’ staff took the gratitude challenge by sharing what we feel grateful for and what keeps us moving forward despite the chaos and uncertainty sure to carry us into 2026 and beyond.
Silver fox spotted in spruce forest while monitoring for Interior Alaska Land Trust. Photo by Christin Swearingen.
Winter’s drama
Christin Swearingen
Being in nature keeps me grounded, hopeful, and moving forward. Especially being in nature for a cause, as I was this weekend when I volunteered to monitor a 40-acre parcel of spruce forest and wetland for Interior Alaska Land Trust. I got to see the drama of winter activity as animal tracks in the snow, heard a raven and a red squirrel, and talked with a neighbor about the quality of trails in the area. The quiet, snowy spruce trees and frozen ponds are a refuge away from Fox news and social media. As a final gift I saw a beautiful silver fox on my hike out. Just like taking vitamin D in the winter, spending time outside everyday helps me feel balanced.
Banjo and Maddy ski Archangel road. Photo by Madison Grosvenor.
Dog days of winter
Madison Grosvenor
On these cold, dark days, when all I want to do is curl up under many blankets and hide from all my screens, one big-eared and four-legged pup keeps me up and outside.
This season, I have been grateful for frosty skis with Banjo and winter sunsets that seem to last forever.
An Alaska art piece drawn by one of Siobhan’s children! Photo by Siobhan McIntyre.
Creativity and community
Siobhan McIntyre
I am thankful for the generosity of my friends and family, who kindly share their time, creative ambitions, and personal triumphs.
A pie baked by Michelle! Photo by Michelle Sinnott.
Pie = inner piece
Michelle Sinnott
Making pie always quiets my mind and helps me center myself. Plus, you have a tasty reward!
A mongoose pair sharing secrets in Tanzania. Photo by Dawnell Smith.
Gently lifting a bee with a broken wing
Dawnell Smith
I’m grateful for mountains and rivers, willows and wolverines, gardenia pods and hyena clans—
and for termites and mushrooms, long walks and feral tattoos, split seconds of awe and lifetimes of imaginings
and for breathtaking books like “Truth” and “On All Fours” and “Fire Weather” and “frank: sonnets”
A Lilac Breasted Roller perched in a tree in Tanzania. Photo by Dawnell Smith.
and for people who laugh willfully in their darkest hours and cry robustly while gently lifting a bee with a broken wing from the ground
and for all who make magic and medicine with their hands, hearts, minds, and actions
and also with their restraint, their quietude, their stillness.
La Bruja at a Mapuche biological reserve in Chile. Photo by Teresa Clemmer.
The joy in nature and silly critters
Teresa Clemmer
Some of the things that help keep me grounded (and sane) include being outdoors, spending time with family, and laughing at the antics of our silly animals.
As to the first two, this photo is of a nice hike Jeff and I took to a waterfall called La Bruja at a Mapuche biological reserve in Chile.
Ruby and Murphy’s silly antics! Photo by Teresa Clemmer.
The other is a tiny sample of our critters’ silly antics…
Maple protesting her commute home. Photo by Megan Mason Dister.
A time for paws
Megan Mason Dister
I’m grateful for joyful moments spent outside, even when it’s freezing cold, icy, and dark. My dog, Maple, helps me be present and silly, captured here deciding to take a break on an icy commute home.
Hope and determination
Bridget Psarianos
Photo by Bridget Psarianos.
In these crazy times, I’m grateful for my partner, family, and community of friends. Their support gives me hope and determination to keep up the fight, not give in to chaos and scare tactics, and encourages me to take care of myself and keep getting outside.