Lissy Perna, is the founder and CEO of Get Outside Cape Cod. She is a homegrown Cape Codder and mom of two adventurous boys. A longtime lover of nature, Lissy enjoys getting outdoors with her family and sharing their discoveries! Together they walk nature trails, explore local wildlife and learn every day. Lissy then compiles their findings on her blog, an incredible resource for anyone looking to explore the natural areas in the Cape.
Lissy graciously answered some questions for BFH about her work, her personal experiences with nature & the outdoors, and where we can expect to find Get Outside Cape Cod next!
BFH: How important have nature and the outdoors been in your life?
Lissy Perna: So important! My love of nature is the biggest part of me as a person. I’m thankful that I grew up in a place that allowed me to freely explore, and I had parents who taught me about my surroundings and fostered my curiosity.
What’s your favorite place to get outdoors in the Berkshires or beyond? My favorite place to be outdoors is 100% the open ocean- on a boat.
What’s your earliest memory in relation to the outdoors? One of my earliest memories would be making forts in the woods behind my house. We would clear the pine needles, and lay sticks out for the frame of the house. Then make a kitchen out of old bricks. We’d collect pine cones for food, soft moss for a bed, it was magic,
When did you know you wanted to work in the field of nature/outdoors? I’ve always wanted to, and still do! Is anyone hiring? 🙋🏻♀️
How long have you been working in this industry? I started my blog last fall.
How important do you think it is for children to get outdoors and why?
It is crucial. Nature provides a real unstructured play environment, where children can test their physical limits, they can also become more inventive with all of the “loose parts” that naturally occur outdoors.
What are you curious about right now? SO MANY THINGS! I always have a list going of things I need to research. Next on my list is to look up more info about these sand worms we’ve been finding at the beach.
What do you enjoy most about nature and the outdoors? I love the fresh air. I love finding new and exciting things every day. It doesn’t have to be a monumental discovery for me to be impressed. It could be a yellow feather on a trail or a turtle in a pond. Those kinds of things would just make my day.
What’s the road ahead look like for you? I’m not sure! I’m hoping that I can continue sharing and connecting with others!
If you had extra funds in your budget, how would you spend it and why? I’d self publish my trail book.
What’s your favorite sound in nature? Humpback songs, they make me cry every time I hear them.
How do you continue to learn in order to stay on top of things within your role? I’m always reading! Also, I love attending walks with our local conservation groups in the area. Some are even free- they are so wonderful!
What are some of the things you’re researching the most right now? Always looking for more places to explore on the Cape.
What do you think is the biggest obstacle preventing people from getting outdoors? It seems like some people think they need to be going to an event or a pre-planned activity to go outside. Whether it be an organized sport, or a festival, etc. I would love it if people would just relax a little and realize that they can just enjoy nature for what it is, and there doesn’t need to be an agenda attached.
If you could have a billboard with one message on it, what would it say?
Get outside, Cape Cod! 😄
