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"We’re often told that the real reward lies in the journey rather than the destination, but when it comes to the ENVS 144 Baja natural history course, the destination is fabulous too! In a Gandalf-like fashion, Dr. Virginia Matzek carefully assembled a twenty-strong band of eclectic, would-be adventurers. In preparation for our impending journey, we spent ten weeks engrossing ourselves in the multidisciplinary field of natural history. We studied 100+ species who call Baja California Sur home and learned the unique adaptations required to survive in extreme environments. Most importantly, we gained a holistic understanding of the intersections between art, poetry, literature, science, and nature.

Once in Baja, we camped in the Sierra Laguna Biological Preserve. The rest of our trip involved camping, kayaking, and snorkeling around the Espiritu Santo Island Complex in the Sea of Cortez. We put the skills we learned to use as we identified species and made observational drawings of varying quality.

As we overcame challenges and experienced new things, we discovered we’re braver and more capable than we thought. We grew strong enough to be vulnerable and to lean on each other. I reveled in the joy of sharing nature with others, built authentic friendships, and felt accepted as my authentic self. While I can no longer remember the difference between sweet and sour pitaya cactuses, one thing I learned did stick: what’s most important is neither the journey nor the destination, but the people you choose to travel alongside."

--Max Johnston '24