From the cosmic rift on the floor, Tardis on the wall and portal to a lively red oak, Denise Wally’s home office is nearly a perfect workspace — unless your regular office is a nature preserve.
The space is the ninth winner of the Husker Home Office of the Week honor. The award was launched April 10 to showcase how faculty and staff have adjusted to working from home as part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s response to COVID-19.
Having served in a variety of roles in her 11 years with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Wally is currently aligned with the Nebraska Forest Service and is the property operations supervisor for the Prairie Pines Nature Preserve. Managed by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nebraska Forest Service and Prairie Pines nonprofit, the 145-acre preserve is located at 3100 N. 112th St. It was created by Walter Thaine Bagley, an associate professor of forestry, and his wife, Virginia, after purchasing what was row crop farmland in 1959.
Prairie Pines — which was once a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm, the first home for Raptor Recovery, and earned Nebraska’s first conservation easement — was donated to the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1992 to be protected and provide habitat for all beings, plant and animal.
While she’s able to complete key duties remotely, Wally’s biggest work shift has come in a reduction of activity. Though her transition, with a reduction of nearly 145 acres of workspace, ranks as one of the largest among all current university employees.
“Working on a nature preserve, we’re used to being outside and active,” Wally said. “Honestly, I’m not used to sitting this much.”
The Husker Home Office award repeats weekly until employees return to widespread working from offices on campus. Details on how to enter are below. Read on for Wally’s takes on how working from home is progressing and a few tips for other employees to consider.
Why does this space work for you?
It is the one room in the house that I don’t spend that much time in, so I can make it a separate “work” space.
What tips for a successful work-from-home day do you have for fellow employees?
Use all the tools available to keep your sanity and calm, take 15 minute breaks in a different area, do something you enjoy at lunch, take a walk even if it is just around the house or yard, and make sure your work space is ergonomic and comfortable — but not too comfortable.
What is your favorite item in the home office space?
My window looking out at our mature red oak tree and my aromatherapy diffuser.
Is there any process/concept/idea that you’ve experienced working from home that you hope to integrate when we return to campus?
I actually am enjoying Zoom. Since I work away from the office, normally, I may try to use Zoom for more interactions. My room at home has green walls, so adding a virtual background has been fun.
To be considered for the honor, submit photos of your custom space via email to tfedderson@unl.edu along with answers to the the questions below. The award winner will be notified on each Thursday, with their space appearing in the Friday edition of Nebraska Today. For more information, send email to tfedderson@unl.edu.
Entries for the “Husker Home Office of the Week” must include your name, university position, home department, phone number (for contact, if necessary), years employed on campus, home address (to mail the award), and answers to at least three of these five questions:
- Why does this space work for you?
- What tips for a successful work-from-home day do you have for fellow employees?
- What is your favorite item in the home office space?
- What do you miss most about your campus space?
- Is there any process/concept/idea that you’ve experienced working from home that you hope to integrate when we return to campus?
