Nature as a guide
For Brenda and David Brown, a life close to nature has always been personal, built over decades of shared adventure, an outdoor wedding, and raising a family surrounded by green space.
“Now thinking back, it makes sense we got married in a garden,” David reflects. After 25 years in Annapolis, that connection has only grown deeper.
Their love of the outdoors has shaped both their family life and who they are as individuals. Brenda, a certified life coach with a nature-based practice, and David, who spent his career in telecommunications, have always embraced active, adventurous living. Brenda grew up exploring the forest behind her Ohio home, while David was surrounded by azaleas at school in Bethesda. Together, they rollerbladed, mountain biked, scuba dived, skied, and even played hockey on rollerblades. “Marrying David was marrying activities,” Brenda laughs. They carried that same spirit into raising their children, inspiring them to explore the outdoors and develop their own connection to nature.
During the pandemic, amid uncertain and challenging times, Brenda and David’s first brush with Nature Sacred came unexpectedly. They returned night after night to explore the Sacred Place at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, walking the labyrinth together before dinner. “I’m a labyrinth girl,” Brenda says. “You can go right through it. But if you allow yourself to become quiet and slowly walk through it, that is the real point.”
“She is always encouraging me to slow down,” David adds. “I’m more physical, more hands on. She’s more visionary.”
Those walks, along with events unfolding in their community, helped shape their thinking about giving, values, and meaningful impact. They also sharpened a long-held awareness: access to nature, even in Annapolis, is not equal. “There are haves and have nots, even here,” Brenda says. “Access is everything.”
Their search for a meaningful way to help led them to Nature Sacred, once again, where they became key supporters of the Garden of Peace and Remembrance at St. Anne’s Cemetery, a Sacred Place that provides a welcoming, reflective space in the heart of Annapolis and embodies reconciliation and community.
“Imagine intentionally sitting down and asking what you value and then finding ways to connect someone else to what you love, like nature,” Brenda reflects. “Values guide everything we do. David lives his. I might have the idea, but he is truly the boots on the ground. He has never once said no,” she laughs.
David adds, “With St. Anne’s we began to see the light. We wanted to be more thoughtful and strategic in how we give back.” Service runs deep in both their families, and generosity has always been central. “In our younger years it was about giving time,” David says. “Now we can give more, and more intentionally.”
Reflecting on their journey, Brenda offers encouragement to others:
“Think about what truly lights you up and what has shaped your life. Then find ways to share that. Co-create with others, connect your passions to your giving, and make dreams come true. We weren’t designed to do it alone. Let’s do it together.”
