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Building Connections Through Volunteering: A Day with BRN
- Yousof Majed M Badghaish
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 16
Student Guest Blog
Yousof Majed M Badghaish visited BRN as part of a partnership with the University of Arizona’s Field Studies in Writing Program.
This isn’t just a story about volunteering for a day. It’s a story about connection and connection to the land, to each other, and to something bigger than ourselves. When we first joined the We Grow Food group for a few hours of volunteering, none of us really knew what to expect. Undergraduate students from the University of Arizona, we came from all kinds of backgrounds, and honestly, a lot of us had never planted a tree or even touched a shovel before. But right from the start, it was clear that this wasn’t just another task on our to do list. It was a chance to find purpose together, even if just for one day. Our short time out there was packed. We dug holes, planted native species, and learned hands on how animal manure can be used as a natural fertilizer to bring damaged land back to life. We listened and learned as the BRN team explained how each step, no matter how small, plays a role in restoring the ecosystem.
But honestly, what stuck with me the most wasn’t just the science or the techniques. It was the way we came together as a group and how we laughed through the tough spots, pushed each other to keep going, and celebrated every tiny win and giving our selves a reward like eating the carrots that we picked from the garden ourselves. There’s something powerful about seeing the land respond to care, even over the course of a few hours.
It’s proof that healing is possible and also with a little patience and some effort, and a group of people willing to get their hands dirty. And as we saw the beginnings of change in the land, I think we all felt a bit of change in ourselves too. The truth is volunteering with BRN wasn’t just about helping the environment. It was personal. Spending just one day out there made us reflect and not just on how ecosystems recover but also on what it means for us to commit to something outside of our own routines. We learned that you don’t need to be an expert or a lifelong environmentalist to make a difference. You just need to show up, care, and be present. What surprised me most was how quickly the group bonded.
Most of us started the day as strangers, but working side by side and sharing tools, sharing stories, sharing a sense of accomplishment really brought us closer in a way that felt real. We learned resilience in moments when the work felt tough, and we found joy in doing something good together even if it was just for a few hours. This experience grounded us. For a short time, we stopped seeing ourselves as just people helping out, and started to feel like we were part of something larger like a movement that really means something.
That’s why this story matters. I want people to know that you don’t have to have special skills or a background in restoration to help out. You just have to care. The rest you learn as you go. BRN is doing important work. They aren’t just restoring landscapes they’re actually rebuilding connections. Connections between people and nature, between volunteers and the local community and most of all between what we take from the world and what we give back. They need more people to join in, and the more hands on deck, the bigger the impact. So I hope this isn’t just another story that people brush by. I really hope it encourages someone to step up and get involved, even if it’s just for a day. Because in those few hours, you’ll realize you’re not just helping the land but you’re actually helping yourself grow too. In the end, restoration is about more than fixing what’s broken. It’s about reconnecting with the world around us, and with each other.
