NATURE-FOCUSED DEFINITION:preferring natural resources over artificial ones; being strongly attuned to nature CATEGORIES:identity, interactive SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:environmentally conscious POSSIBLE CAUSES: Growing up on a farm or living off the land Having parents or role models who were conservationists or environmentalists Having strong religious or spiritual beliefs that focus on nature Feeling whole when surrounded by nature Growing up within a nature-focused culture (Native American, etc.) ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Keeping a garden Recycling Placing a high value on life Buying natural products (shopping at farmer’s markets, etc.) Hunting and fishing only to provide for one’s family Living in nature or close to it Farming or ranching; living off the land Respecting all living creatures Being fascinated with the life cycle Feeling spiritually tied to the earth and its creatures Eating natural foods Being knowledgeable about nutrition Avoiding wastefulness (reusing, repurposing, only taking what one needs, etc.) Canning and preserving one’s food Engaging in hiking, climbing, canoeing, and other outdoor pursuits Avoiding pollutants and chemicals Farming with heirloom seeds rather than altered ones Embracing natural remedies rather than manmade ones Meditating Having a hearty appetite Being highly curious Being highly energetic Choosing environmentally friendly modes of transportation Feeling energized when one is outdoors Deeply appreciating the beauty of nature Wanting to be alone to experience the outdoors in a meaningful way Being hyper aware of what goes into one’s body Picking up after oneself to decrease one’s carbon footprint Bird-watching Focusing on sensory details (smells, sounds, textures, etc.) when outdoors Happiness and satisfaction Seeing wisdom in nature Appreciating the different seasons and their uniqueness Feeling protective of nature Gaining joy from growing a garden ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: I’m going to brew some lavender and fresh oregano tea for Natalie’s headache. Is it five o’clock yet? I’ve been waiting all week to see the mountains! I am so glad we moved out of the city. Out here, I can hear myself think. Tomatoes from the garden are so much better than ones from the grocery store. I can’t believe Nathan refuses to recycle. Has he seen the size of our landfill? Look at that sunrise. It’s lighting up the whole valley. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:amazement, anticipation, curiosity, excitement, gratitude, happiness, peacefulness POSITIVE ASPECTS:Nature-focused characters are strongly attuned to nature. When outdoors, they are energized, experience mental clarity, and gain a higher sense of purpose. Their respect for the land and the creatures in it leads them to make choices that impact the natural world as little as possible. They are usually active and health-conscious and are very aware of what they put into their bodies, many times choosing a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle due to their beliefs. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Characters with a high respect for nature may experience a disconnect with friends and family who are more urban-focused—especially if these loved ones see the character as being flaky for their views. Some nature-centric characters choose to oppose industry and government to protect the environment, thereby crossing the line from being advocates to becoming vigilantes. Others take natural living to an extreme, refusing to bathe, shave, or use deodorant. The resulting poor hygiene puts a strain on relationships. EXAMPLE FROM FILM:InAvatar, the Na’vi race is highly attuned to Pandora. They are part of a biological neural network connecting all life forms and so have the greatest respect and care for their world. They live with, interact with, and take wisdom from the nature around them. When threatened by human industry seeking out a rare mineral, the Na’vi fight to save not only their lives but nature itself.Other Examples from Literature and Film:the Ents (Lord of the Rings), Pocahontas(Pocahontas), Perrin Aybara (The Wheel of Time) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:destructive, industrious, insensitive, pompous, superficial, workaholic CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE NATURE-FOCUSED CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Losing one’s property to a natural disaster or financial ruin PLOTLINE: Having family or neighbors who are destructive and wasteful in ways that impact nature PLOTLINE: Being forced to move to the city where one cannot easily access nature PLOTLINE: Conditions that prevent one from enjoying the outdoors (severe allergies, etc.) PLOTLINE: Facing a situation where saving a natural resource is bad for the public at large