A Cozy Campfire Chat with Brooke Bauman of the National Park Service

There’s something about national parks that just sticks with you.

Maybe it’s the way the light hits the mountains at sunset or the quiet hum of a trail under your feet.
Maybe it’s the quilt wrapped around your shoulders at a campsite, holding a little bit of home while you’re out exploring something new.

In this conversation, I sat down with Brooke Bauman, a communications specialist with the National Park Service and a fellow quilter, to talk about the stories behind our parks, the science that protects them, and the surprising ways quilting and nature overlap.

Prefer to listen? Tap play below.

Meet Brooke: Translating Science Into Stories

Brooke works with the National Park Service’s Water Resources Division, supporting more than 430 park sites across the country.

And not just the big names like Yellowstone or Rocky Mountain.

We’re talking:

• National seashores
• Recreation areas
• Monuments
• Historic sites
• And so many more places that hold pieces of American history

Her role is all about science communication—helping scientists translate complex research about lakes, rivers, groundwater, and marine ecosystems into stories everyday visitors can actually understand.

In other words: She helps people connect to what they’re seeing. And that connection? That’s what makes a place unforgettable.

A Quilter’s Story, Passed Down Through Generations

Before Brooke ever worked in parks, she was a quilter. She learned from her grandmother—an incredible maker who spent years turning fabric into something meaningful for her family. And that connection runs deep.

Her family has visited Rocky Mountain National Park for generations:

• Her grandfather visited as a child
• Her grandparents honeymooned there
• Family reunions happened there
• And now, Brooke continues the tradition

She even has quilts her grandmother made inspired by the park—hanging in her home and office as daily reminders of why this work matters.

And if that’s not the most Quilt Scouts-core origin story… I don’t know what is.

Parks Are More Than Places—They’re Stories

One of my favorite parts of our conversation was this idea: Parks aren’t just landscapes. They’re layered with stories. Brooke shared how powerful it is to hear a park ranger explain:

• How a canyon formed
• Why a landscape looks the way it does
• What happened there hundreds (or thousands) of years ago

It turns a pretty view into something meaningful. She described standing at Black Canyon of the Gunnison and listening to a ranger explain the geology behind it—and suddenly, the whole experience deepened. Same view. Completely different perspective.

The Small Details Are the Magic

It’s easy to visit parks with “bucket list energy.”

Hit the overlook.
Snap the photo.
Check it off.

But the real magic?

It lives in the small stuff:

• The smell of rain on dry earth (hello, petrichor 🌧️)
• The way shadows move across a trail
• The sound of water shifting throughout the day
• A quiet conversation with a ranger

Brooke encourages slowing down and simply observing.

And honestly… it feels a lot like quilting, doesn’t it?

What Quilting and Nature Teach Us About Patience

We got into this really beautiful parallel between quilting and being outdoors.

Because let’s be real:

• Quilting requires patience
• Nature requires patience

Brooke talked about wrestling with her grandmother’s sewing machine, ripping seams, and starting over (a universal experience 😂). And how that same lesson shows up in parks:

• Weather changes your plans
• Wildlife doesn’t show up on cue
• Things happen on nature’s timeline—not yours

Both quilting and nature teach us:

👉 You don’t control everything
👉 You show up anyway
👉 You stay open to what unfolds

Leave No Trace (a.k.a. The Ultimate Scout Rule)

If there’s one takeaway Brooke emphasized, it’s this:

We’re not just visitors—we’re stewards.

She shared the core principles of Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics:

• Plan ahead and prepare
• Travel on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste properly
• Leave what you find
• Minimize campfire impact
• Respect wildlife
• Be considerate of others

Or in simpler terms: Leave it as good as—or better than—you found it.

How to Slow Down (Even If You Only Have One Afternoon)

If you only have a short time in a park, Brooke suggests:

• Sit still for a few minutes
• Notice how light changes
• Pay attention to textures, colors, and patterns
• Let curiosity lead you

And for the quilters reading this…

👀 This is basically a live color palette study
👀 A texture library
👀 A composition lesson in real time

Nature is out here handing us inspiration on a silver platter.

Ways to Get Involved (Yes, Even as a Quilter)

Feeling inspired? There are actually so many ways to engage with national parks beyond just visiting.

Here are a few starting points:

1. Find a Park Near You

Head to National Park Service website (nps.gov) and:

• Search by location
• Browse by topic
• Discover parks you didn’t even know existed

2. Junior Ranger Program (for kids… or kids at heart)

Many parks offer:

• Activity booklets
• Scavenger hunts
• Earned badges at the end (👀 sound familiar??)

There are even virtual options, which is such a win.

3. Volunteer Opportunities

You can:

• Help protect park resources
• Work alongside park staff
• Get hands-on with conservation

4. Artist-in-Residence Programs

This one is SO cool. The Park Service offers opportunities for artists (yes, including quilters!) to:

• Stay in a park
• Create work inspired by it
• Contribute to the park’s story

Tell me that doesn’t sound like the ultimate Quilt Scouts field trip.

Final Thoughts: Why This Matters

This conversation felt like such a beautiful reminder that:

• Quilting connects us to people
• Parks connect us to place
• And storytelling connects everything together

Whether it’s a quilt passed down from your grandmother or a trail your family has walked for generations… These things matter because they hold our stories.

Want to Explore More?

You can start here:

• Visit the National Park Service website (nps.gov)
• Use the “Find Your Park” tool
• Look into volunteer or artist programs
• Or simply visit a local park this week and pay attention

And if this conversation sparked something for you…

Maybe your next quilt starts with a hike. 🏕️✨