Connecting with our innate affinity for the wild: Laura Chávez Silverman of The Outside Institute

Laura Chávez Silverman, a writer and branding consultant, is the founding naturalist of The Outside Institute. A desire to share her deep love of nature inspired this venture. Laura offers guided walks and foraging instruction, as well as botanical mixology, private land assessments and retreats. She is a polished and compelling speaker on topics including the psychic and health benefits of engaging with nature, sustainable foraging and how interconnected systems inspire better living. 

Laura is also the co-author of The Outside Institute’s “Field Guide to the Northeast.” Each of the guide’s three volumes provides an accessible introduction to more than 50 of the region’s most prevalent flora, fauna and fungi of the season. These original publications include detailed illustrations, clear descriptions for identification, facts about medicinal, craft and culinary usage and recipes highlighting wild flavors. They are available for purchase here.

We sat down with Laura to talk about The Outside Institute, Upstate NY living and connecting to nature.  

What do you think it is about spending time in nature that genuinely helps people—emotionally, mentally, or even physically?
Humanity’s extreme disconnection from the wild runs contrary to our true nature and we’re feeling the call to get back to where we belong. There is plenty of scientific evidence that spending time outside—under the forest canopy, near a waterfall, mingling with the flora, fauna and fungi—decreases stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, elevates mood, helps us access creative thinking and even increases life expectancy. Coming into greater alignment with nature resonates with a primal part of us that craves this connection.

Do you miss anything about city life, or has your relationship to it changed since moving Upstate?
I like to say that I have traded culture for nature. There is no Lincoln Center or Museum of Natural History upstate, but I feel what I’ve gained surpasses what I miss. When I do venture into the city, I’m overwhelmed by the noise and frenetic pace. My shields have disintegrated, so I gravitate to the parks and the Highline.

In your past client work—whether creative, editorial, or brand-related—did your connection to the natural world influence your approach? And how has that shifted since starting The Outside Institute?
My work with The Outside Institute has attracted clients who have a relationship with plants, like natural skincare or cannabis brands. Increasingly, brands outside this realm also seem to have an awareness that an affiliation with nature is important, which can be positive providing it’s not exploitative.

For someone who feels unsure or even intimidated by the idea of “getting into nature,” where do you recommend they begin?
Nature is everywhere. I stay away from the phrase “natural world,” because I think it sets up a false dichotomy between the realm of humans and that of wild things. There is only one world and we all share it. Even in New York City, you see raptors roosting on skyscrapers, wild carrot and burdock growing along the West Side Highway and puffball mushrooms popping up in vacant lots. Use a plant identification app to start learning about what grows on your block. The Merlin app helps you get to know the birds outside your window. Or go for a walk with a naturalist to jumpstart your education.

What inspired you to create the field guides, and how do you hope people use them?
I noticed that field guides with lots of Latin words and dense botanical information were intimidating for many budding naturalists, so I decided to produce a more accessible guide, written in lay terms, to the most prevalent flora, fauna and fungi of this region. Our guides include information you might not find elsewhere that offers different insights into how to relate to plants and even some recipes for foragers. The volumes are seasonal, so you can take them out into the field and more easily identify what’s around.

What’s on the horizon for The Outside Institute? Any upcoming experiences, ideas or dreams you’re excited to explore?
I’m just about to open a new space for teaching and gathering in Barryville, NY. I’ll be hosting a weekly open house, so people can drop in, learn about the plant of the week, bring mushrooms in for help with identification and taste something delicious made with wild flavors. I’m also hard at work on a book I describe as part memoir, part field guide. And last but not least, spring foraging is about to kick off!

You can find more interviews with Laura Chávez Silverman below:
A Piece Apart
CANVASREBEL
Ageist