Author • Poet • Photographer
Caring for This Place We Call Home
In 2005, Mary McKSchmidt replaced a briefcase, calculator and business suit with a notepad, camera and foul weather gear and journeyed into uncharted waters to help build the political will necessary to clean up and protect the Great Lakes. Join her on a journey influenced by nature, artists, advocates, spiritual leaders, and the mother for whom she becomes the primary caregiver. Through her art, she shares her passion for caring for each other, for nature’s abundant gifts and for making those gifts accessible to all. She invites you to join her on a journey to enrich the Great Lakes region she calls home.
Books Inspired by Life in the Great Lakes Region
Inspired by the beauty and challenges of life in the Great Lakes region, Mary McKSchmidt’s books weave heartfelt storytelling with a deep connection to water and nature. From the tender bond of a mother and daughter navigating loss in Miracle Within Small Things, the adventurous tales of Uncharted Waters, and the artistic reflections on wildflowers in Tiny Treasures, her work inspires readers to cherish both life’s relationships and nature.
The Journey
Discover Mary McKSchmidt’s unique combination of photographs, poems, stories, and videos as she shares her journey from business leader to advocate to artist. Whether sailing through a squall on Lake Michigan with her husband, researching the challenges plaguing our supply of fresh water, or searching for a shaded bench for her mother, she plants seeds of awareness while opening her heart to the reader.
Public Speaking
Mary McKSchmidt is an engaging public speaker whose heartfelt presentations inspire audiences to connect with nature, each other, and themselves. Drawing from her experiences as an author, environmental advocate, and storyteller, Mary weaves captivating narratives that spark reflection and motivate action. Her talks are perfect for women’s groups, nature centers, garden clubs, community and educational organizations, and events seeking to inspire change and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world around us.