Welcome to unTamed Science, a sanctuary for those seeking to explore the wild + untamed—in nature and self—as a path to wellbeing. Here science meets mystery, wonder and awe are medicine, courage and creativity thrive.
I’m so glad you've arrived.
We live in a frenzied culture, so deeply disconnected from the primal energies of the natural world, it has rendered us unwell—mind, body, and soul.
Reconnecting to the planet offers a path back to ourselves, to connection, to greater wellbeing.
Yes, this can be immersion in deep wilderness. But it can also be simple daily actions. Getting outside. Grounding. Soaking. Walking. Observing. Being quiet.
What if these simple steps are a portal to deep wisdom—offered not just by the natural world—but housed within each of us? The kind of deep wisdom and knowingness that can enhance your wellbeing, relationships, love for the world?
Each week, I share essays that traverse the veil between science and intuition, explore what it means to live life untrammeled, and examine how connecting to the planet enhances your wellbeing. I also provide simple tips for upping your connection to the natural world.
Free subscribers get:
Weekly essays and Field Notes exploring the wild + untamed.
Community reflections and prompts where you can comment, connect, and contribute.
Paid subscribers also get:
Tips, rituals, journalling exercises, and challenges to help you explore and deepen your connection to the natural world.
What readers say:
“I wrote Wilderness and the American Mind to chronicle a revolutionary change in attitude toward wild places over the course of American history. Wilderness preservation is impressive but so far it has been fueled by very anthropocentric concerns such as scenery, recreation and tourist economics. It's time to listen to a new generation of activists like Wendy who understand that the arc of justice bends toward intrinsic valuation and the rights of nature. I'm very pleased to commend her as a guide toward the only really sustainable future on this planet.” ~Roderick Nash, Ph.D.
“This missive is an invitation to raise kids, and ourselves, with excitement for worlds familiar and near, wild and still unknown...unTamed Science is a love-all-the-world letter and ticket out to adults who are rooted in everyday thoughts and lives. Dr. Pabich is a gypsy scientist with a passion for water in all forms, art and the painted word.” ~Lili Simpson
“What you express…constitutes a form of an emotional and psychological lifeline for those of us trying to stay sane and somewhat balanced.” ~Jim Karkut
“Every bit of this newsletter is beautiful to read. Just lovely.”
“I’m delighted every time I visit her pub, even when she’s writing about tough topics, Wendy has a way of grounding it all in joy.” ~Maggie Hollinbeck, Tending the Soul
"Wendy Pabich is a brilliant combination of scientist, artist, and hands-in-the-dirt bona fide mountain woman."
"She is funny, insightful, and down to earth..."
About me:
I’m Wendy and I’m a Ph.D. scientist (water, ecosystems, biogeochemistry) mostly following my wild and feral heart. I’m a world wanderer, adventurer, artist, and writer, with a big smile, crazy laugh, and a “go” attitude (read “dirtbag”…umm, in the most loving sense of the word). I care about beauty, adventure, heart, community, and the natural world.
I’ve always skipped just a bit off the beaten path. Drawn to magic and mystery, I’m invariably happier with some measure of adventure and challenge—mind, body and soul—in my life. I stretch my boundaries, lean into fear. One of my favorite mantras?
If it’s not a “fuck yes!”, it’s a “no”.
This has taken me to places high and low. Jumping into an environmental engineering Ph.D. program when I wasn’t trained as an engineer but was obsessed with water (and crying my way through more than a few all-nighters), but then, able to bring students to the wilds of Patagonia, the Himalaya, and Alaska. Running rivers and finding peace, connection, and magical encounters with rock and water and animals and humans—and, ripping my knee open to the patella. Having money. Not having money. Finding the kind of love I’d only dreamed about, only to have my heart ripped out. Dancing with joyful abandon at Burning Man. Navigating uncomfortable edges.
In all of this, I’ve come to understand how profoundly grounding, healing, expansive, nurturing, awe-inspiring, and straight-up magical, time in and around water and wilds is. It is the antidote to the mess and stress and disconnect of so much of modern existence. And, make no mistake, I don’t always find the right balance, and when I’m off-kilter, oh-my-goddess does my soul scream.
I’ve learned a thing or two along the way and it’s my privilege to share some of it with you here.
My book “Taking on Water: How One Water Expert Challenged Her Inner Hypocrite, Reduced Her Water Footprint (without Sacrificing a Toasty Shower), and Found Nirvana” was published in 2012.
AI and me:
Perhaps I’m behind the times, but guess what? unTamed Science is 100% me. All human-powered, all original content, all written by me. So, when you find typos, grammatical mistakes, or awkward words, you can laugh with me and breathe a sigh of relief: I’m human.
