Shen Hou reflects on the influence of Donald Worster’s Dust Bowl: The Southern Plains in the 1930s on her understanding of environmental history. Following in her parents’ footsteps, she developed a strong interest in history that later evolved into a focus on environmental history, emphasizing the role of ecological forces in shaping human societies. Throughout her academic career, she has challenged the view of nature as a passive backdrop, encouraging environmental historians to engage more directly with natural environments, including through visits to nature reserves.