Meet The Blind Naturalist, Shannon Columb
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller
Floating a scenic river, admiring the views atop a mountain’s summit, wildlife watching – these are all fulfilling experiences in nature, but they also rely heavily on sight. Though many of our interactions with the natural world rely on our vision, there is so much more to our connection to nature that cannot be seen, or touched – and the above quote describes that perfectly.
Feeling connected to the land, water, and sky as I take a walk in the woods is what motivates me to share my passion for the environment. The plants, the animals, the waters – all the wonders that live among us, are what I turn to when life has its ups and downs. This connection is what I want to spread to others.
My relationship with nature started blooming when I was a child.
Most of my childhood was spent outdoors, playing in the woods and fields surrounding my parents’ farm. I’m privileged to have grown up in the country and am eternally grateful for my childhood experiences as they’ve shaped what I value.
At the age of 2, I was diagnosed with an eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa. Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), is a degenerative eye condition characterized by night blindness and limited peripheral vision. Along with night blindness and no peripheral vision, I also have limited depth perception, light sensitivity, and difficulty seeing detail.
As a child, my vision didn’t stop me from climbing on haybales, riding my bike through mud puddles, or walking through the woods with my dogs. My childhood frustrations included not being able to play at night, occasionally tripping over unseen obstacles, and struggling to read small print and writing on whiteboards while in school. As I grew older, my vision has given me more than just these challenges.
From attending summer camps for the blind, to receiving my first guide dog at the age of 17, I’ve learned to adapt to my vision loss – asking for help, using assistive technology, and maintaining a positive outlook. One way I keep myself positive is by immersing myself in nature.
My passion for our natural world led me to pursue a degree in Environmental Education/Interpretation from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. I’ve worked at summer camps, assisted my professors with conducting environmental education research, and attended conferences relating to the fields of environmental education and interpretation. Throughout my time at UW-Stevens Point I gained a desire to make environmental education and outdoor recreation more inclusive. As one of the few disabled students in the College of Natural Resources, I felt quite isolated. Luckily, I had professors passionate about diversifying the fields of environmental education and interpretation, and they ignited my desire to make a change in the field I was going into.
I graduated in May 2020 and now reside in the beautiful southwest region of Wisconsin, the Driftless Area. Majestic bluffs and winding rivers characterize this area, an ancient landscape untouched by glaciers. I love hiking, particularly with my guide dog, Frasier, and in the company of my partner and his dog, or with friends. I’ve also just recently gained a love of fishing, as the Driftless is a world-renowned trout fishing destination. Gardening has also become a hobby of mine. If I’m not outside, I’m either reading, listening to a podcast, crafting, or journaling.
Photo Descriptions
Photo 1: Shannon wearing a dark green long sleeve shirt, smiling towards the camera with a blurred background of greenery. She has blue eyes and light brown hair with highlights of blonde that falls just below her shoulders.
Photo 2: A young Shannon (preschool age) sits on a large roundbale. She has blonde hair and is wearing a straw hat and a smile.