🍃 Reciprocity: the interview

6 questions for Robin Motzer

Nature writer, n. A person who delights in paying attention, being astonished, and telling about it.¹

“To share good news with others to help increase their health, well-being and connection with nature and to help transform trauma. Wildlands was created to teach compassion and empathy and attract people who want to grow and be of service. .” ~ Robin Motzer

Forest Blue by Robin Motzer

Welcome to Season 2 of the Reciprocity interviews. My inbox is full of treasure in the form of lovingly observed writing about place, encounters both wild and gentle, imaginative kinship and renewed reciprocity. These thoughtful, talented writers kindled in me the desire to learn more about them.

Today’s guest,

Robin Motzer

is an award-winning artist, designer, writer and environmental advocate dedicated to wildlife conservation and ecosystem restoration. Fusing ancient wisdom with modern practices, Robin leads transformative retreats that unlock creativity, inspire healing, and drive personal growth.²

Robin doesn’t hold back on our responsibility for the state of the world, like this post about animal cruelty and violence showing that how we treat animals and their habitats defines us personally and as a society.³ She also shares ways to help flora, fauna, food, farming and freedom. In this post, Robin shows how to create a native pollinator garden using rainwater.

Her newsletter, Wildlands, presents the art and science of healing and Sacred Actions—a creative revolution for health, well-being and Sovereignty for all beings. Join Robin for an unforgettable journey to reconnect with your true self, unleash your creative potential, and contribute to a healthier world.

Why are you drawn to nature writing?

I am called to help people discover a transformative journey that awakens ecosystems in the soil and within their soul. Wildlands is dedicated to promoting health, well-being, and sovereignty for all living beings.

How does writing about nature affect you, in your work or personal life?

Writing about nature encompasses advocacy and passion. It involves serving nature and its beings. Humans are part of nature, and they are animals. Reciprocity refers to exchange, which compensates for what flora and fauna provide us. Giving back supports nature and shows humans' gratitude. Actions, thoughts, words, and deeds contribute to sustainable conservation and "Restoring Soils and Souls" exemplifies this approach. The concept of biota includes all living organisms.⁴ Teaching that humans are part of nature emphasizes the interconnectedness of nature, food, creativity and freedom (Self-Reliance).

My art and poetry are in shows and events, including showcases for peace and justice. My work will be in shows in Ohio, and I was invited to a gallery in Sweden. I am also considering an invitation to Norway to meet farmers and visit the Seed Vault.

I also work with animals, and my love of wildlife has led me to work with a Nature Center and a rescue-rehab-release non-profit. One of my favorite experiences is releasing wildlife back into the wild. I also do energy work with animals and humans, called Healing Touch and Reiki. I’ve done many in-person and long distance healings and used to own a business called Sacred Arts Healing.

While outside, have you ever experienced feeling small, lost or in danger?

Yes, I have felt small as we are a thread in an interdependent web of life. My awareness of our choices and how it affects our natural world is ever present with me. I teach holistic healthcare for bodies, minds, spirits and nature. Feeling small and lost served as a great teaching for me. I have learned a lot from nature, and she has a lot to teach us. My job is to show how to restore soils and souls for flora and fauna.

I’ve been in danger on a remote island and have attempted to write about it in Wildlands. It remains my only paid post in the two years that I have been writing Wildlands. My experiences could be considered as “death rites,” a term used in Shamanic practices. It is intense work that chooses those who are capable of great wisdom and leadership. I’ve been through some rough times and have learned an abundance of teachings. These circumstances have led me to broaden and expand my work to help bring healing and opportunities to people and nature. I was given a name, Loud Hawk, by a Toltec Shaman, who taught me about health and healing the mind-body-spirit.

I am calm, connected, and no longer shaken by challenges and traumatic things that go on around me. I trust and value myself and my connection with Something Greater than Ourselves- my empowerment, and my work to foster an empathetic society that knows interconnection with the web of life. I love empowering people to protect nature. Several essays in Wildlands highlight this essential work.

Several years ago, a son of one of Gandhi’s attorneys prophesized that I would be working with the world’s children. He saw me in gardens with groups of people and said that I was a part of a profound change for the better.

I have honored my path, which is one of service. My goal is to raise funding through Wildlands so that I can do more public advocacy projects. My work is growing throughout the U.S. and world, thanks to Wildlands. In 2020, I founded Habitat Restoration group through Sustainable Tucson. Our team is dedicated and fantastic. We work on collaborative community projects and have several native pollinator gardens next to food gardens in parks and schools, which are maintained organically. And, I have art events in gardens, classes, workshops and retreats. At a recent STEAM event, 300 (K-12) children and I painted wildlife art in a native garden at The Living Desert, a major restoration-conservation organization in California.

What’s a favorite memory of nature from your childhood?

Being outside, particularly in a forest with water, observing the animals, trees, and plants, I felt like I was in a movie. There was an early understanding of interconnectedness among all forms of life, which helped form my life’s work. As an adult, I discovered that spiritual educators often refer to life as an illusion, comparable to a film, and have described our human experience as like “being in a movie”. The mysteries, growth and a path less traveled have always appealed to me.

In my opinion, we are here to learn, grow and serve a greater good. Stewardship, philanthropy and generosity are powerful ways to live.

Growing up in a rural area with people who appreciated nature was beneficial. Many residents of my small city have an Appalachian heritage and have a strong affinity with nature. My parents also appreciate nature and support my work.

I won my first art contest at about 3 years old, and I have been writing poetry, short stories, and creating art since I was 2. Nature has played a significant role in addressing chronic health issues. Throughout childhood, I had family in Arizona and learned about the Sonoran Desert and all of the amazing biodiversity, which drew me out West from the Midwest to work for the wild. I currently work in Arizona, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, and am interested in expanding to Kansas City, Missouri, as well as other States.

What do you hope for, for your writing? 

To help inspire a revolution, to share good news, uplift, inspire and help increase their health, well-being and connection with nature, help transform trauma to reduce harm. Wildlands was created to teach compassion and empathy and attract people who want to grow and be of service. Flora, fauna, food, farming and freedom are my health and wellness focus, and restoration-conservation is my soul purpose.

Let’s nurture a new humanity.

• One that lives peacefully with nature and each other, connected to something greater than ourselves.

• One that maintains a healthy balance without overcrowding or destroying other species.

• One that loves life and has no need for power, control, war, or greed.

Wildlands is for those who seek self-mastery and envision a better way. It is my calling to tell this essential story.

A writer or other creative artist who makes you hopeful for humanity and the earth.

Rachel Carson for her strength and persistence; Ralph Waldo Emerson. My poem, “I AM Nature/ We are Nature,” was likened to Emerson’s work, and, Rumi, the master of Oneness and Bliss.⁵

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Each season, we donate 30% of paid subscriptions to a worthy environmental cause. This season, it’s Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International. For The Earth And All Generations - Women Are Rising For Climate Justice & Community-Led Solutions. Track past and current recipients here.

What did you enjoy most about this interview? I’d love to hear from you. Or share it with others by restacking on Notes, via the Substack app. Thanks!

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Notes and links

If you’d like to participate in this interview series, please DM me on chat, or reach out via email: gabrielli-dot-julie-at-gmail. Find previous interviews here.

For more inspired nature writing and artwork from the best of Substack, check out the articles in NatureStack journal.

🍃 08-09 | NatureStack: shared wonder

In further service to Substack’s nature writers,

Rebecca Wisent

curates this lovely directory of nature-focused writers:

1. thanks, Mary Oliver

2. Currently, “The Calm Project” is a free calm, cleanse, connect and create event. The first event was held on April 30, 2025, with another to be scheduled soon. She’s also co-hosting a retreat in an ancient forest, October 17-19, 2025, “Wilderness of Words and Art: A Retreat of Release and Renewal.” Learn more on her newsletter.

3. And this more recent post, “How to End Corruption, Greed and Abuse: Stop Using Tax Payer Dollars for Animal Cruelty”

4. Definition of biota

5. The poem, I AM Nature, WE Are Nature