Annette McGivney is an award-winning journalist, author, teacher, and meditator. Throughout her life, she has been drawn to the tranquility of nature (and yellow labradors). This has come across in her writing, which aims to inspire people to explore the beautiful nature around them. She also advocates for connecting with nature as a way to heal personal trauma. Every day, she meditates and takes long hikes in the woods with her dog off-leash as a way to improve her mental health and connect with the land. 

She has hiked many wilderness areas – particularly the Southwest United States – and her reporting has put thoughtful consideration into the investigation of environmental issues, the rights of indigenous peoples, and the hiker lifestyle. For over 25 years, Annette has been the Southwest Editor for Backpacker Magazine. Her articles have also been featured in Outside Magazine, New York Times Magazine, Los Angeles Times, and more. She has written several books connected to life outdoors, and her most recent book, Pure Land, won the National Outdoor Book Award. It speaks to nature’s healing abilities, even in hard times. She previously taught journalism and environmental communication at Northern Arizona University for over two decades.  

Annette has also been drawn to dogs all her life. Ever since she was young, Annette would go on lengthy walks in the woods – with her trusty family dog by her side – which she found to be emotionally healing during a difficult childhood. Looking back, she realized these restorative walks were a form of meditation that brought a special connection to nature and dogs that have stayed with her throughout her life. These days, she meditates every morning in the Zen Buddhism tradition and takes daily 1-2 hour hikes in the back woods of Colorado with her yellow lab, Trudy. She still finds the contemplative ritual of hiking with her dog in the woods as the best remedy for whatever challenges in life.  Photo via Nancy Wiechec.