Wild Keeper Spotlight: Ali Brawner

Meet first term Wild Keeper, Ali Brawner! Ali is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Her favorite way to get outside is by going out hiking — she shared that her mom introduced her to hiking years ago and she "immediately fell in love with exploring new areas and seeing nature and animals in the wild." Ali's favorite animal to see in the wild just so happens to be quail because "they're so precious with the cute noises they make and it cracks me up that they always look like they're in a hurry to get somewhere!"

Her most memorable hike so far has been to devils bridge in Sedona, AZ. "You hike up to see a beautiful rock formation that looks like a bridge, it's a little challenging to get up there but the views are so worth it!" she told us.

When we asked her about any challenges or struggles she has faced in the outdoors she reflected, "I am a bigger girl and sometimes feel some outdoor gear is geared more towards smaller sizes. I find that a lot of outdoor gear companies usually don't have a lot of plus size options (most cap at 2XL) or don't have plus size models. As a plus size outdoor person who usually wears an XL, it's challenging and I'd love for more companies to show that all sizes can be outdoorsy. However, I have found that all of the apparel from Keep Nature Wild has fit me perfectly & REI now has a plus size section on their website which is a step in the right direction." 

 

Learn more about Ali and her Wild Keeping below! 

Keep Nature Wild: Between mountains, forests or deserts, which would you choose?
Ali: Deserts! 

KNW: What is your favorite thing about being a Wild Keeper?
A:  The sense of community and knowing we're all making the world a better place together, one pound of trash at a time.

KNW: What has picking up trash outdoors done for you? 
A: It has opened my eyes that trash is literally everywhere and we are making our beautiful planet so ugly, glad I can help pretty it up.

KNW: Roughly how many pounds do you think you've picked up since you became a Wild Keeper?
A: 50 pounds.

KNW: What goals do you have for this year? (or beyond?)
A: My goal for this year is to pick up 1,000 pounds of trash.