Dear Friends,

Seasons come and go, and we live within the passages of time. It has always been thus, and now autumn is upon us. I love the cooling of air in the late afternoon and evening – that chill on my cheeks, a change in the light, and the sense of quietness and slowness that hangs in the air. Nature seems calmer, less busy after the vibrancy of spring and summer.

This time of year offers a chance to reflect and prepare for winter, and time to make the most of the year that is left. It is also a time of great beauty, when Nature throws the magic of her vibrant colours into the wind for us all to appreciate in awe and wonder. Who cannot love the child within coming out as we crunch through fallen leaves?

The Foundation has been very busy through the year so far. Wonderful outcomes shine through on the faces of people who have been through our care or educational programmes – over 6,000 when we last counted – but, as with all life, there have been tough times too. We all face an economically tight year and a whirling of political uncertainty. I find, in addition to that, my sense of anxiety around attitudes towards the environment can quickly slide away to meet the immediate needs of human populations. Nature can appear to be something that can be moved around to suit our needs – often forgetting the longevity of ecosystems and biodiverse spaces that, like families, have taken time to melt together and become functioning wholes. Our work has never been more important, and the urgency of our messages about the importance of healthy nature and respect for the Earth is critical.

As always, there is also great work going on for Nature, and many voices are shouting out for her protection and value to all our continued existence.

I have just returned from the Rewilding Academy gathering in the Netherlands – a weekend of complete inspiration, learning, and energetic uplift. Wolves, owls, regenerative agriculture, forest farming, looking after wildlife as a vet in war-torn Iraq – just some of the magical programmes being run by brave, innovative people. And community work is there too – bringing people with us, sharing in the bounty of a healthy Earth, and giving people a sense of agency and belonging in India, Africa, and here in the UK.

Our wonderful patron, Sir Humphry Wakefield – an extraordinary man with a jaw-droppingly fascinating life narrative – melted the hearts and minds of the toughest wilderness warriors. He was guest of honour, opening the proceedings (after being piped in by bagpipes – to the delight of many and surprise of some!) deep in the Netherlands countryside. He spoke of wilderness, adventure, and spirit – elements that have formed our work and continue to drive us forward.

Other speakers were inspiring, passionate, and reflective, and there was a lot of heart – and muddied hands from ‘action’ rather than words – mixed with science that gave the backbone to the thinking and pioneering within a movement that wishes for the Earth to be maintained and restored.

The Global Rewilding Alliance – an affiliated organisation – had much to share on larger work in Africa: of herbivores returning the functionality of landscapes, and projects in Botswana and further afield in which we are a part, or were involved in driving thinking, leading and driving action… in Europe, Africa, and elsewhere.

And then there was the local experience. On the Saturday night, we watched a film called Kees’ Backyard – a wild space in the heart of the Netherlands – a Crown Estate – where people walk and jog and take their dogs, but alongside them are wolves, wild boar, red and roe deer, foxes, badgers, and other wildlife, big and small.

This space is his place for calming and connecting… a wild space where he can sit motionless with his back against a tree. Where wildlife comes to know him, his smell, and tolerates his presence. He has filmed over the years, and then a friend and colleague collated hours of his magical and exceptional footage to make the film. It was one of those visual feasts that one wants to watch again and again. Through the visual feast of his connection to the wild, we could find ours – vicariously but emotionally.

We need the heart work and the emotion as much as the science that maps what factually is going on in the world – where chronic habitat loss and climate change are realities – but also take notice of what gives hope and drives positive action.

We need to talk and share more with each other about these things that matter, and share ideas of what works and what has not. We need to stay hopeful and work hard at living well – not just for ourselves, but for all life.

Our education team and therapists live that work, and everyone who comes into contact with us has some of that love for nature, care for the environment, and for each other rub off on them. These role models – ordinary humans that care – are mechanisms for change. The children we engage will hopefully enact their early learning later on in their lives, perhaps with their own families, and like the seasons, so it goes.

In our newsletter, you can read about what we are trying to do with your help, and our impact. We thank you all as donors and friends, volunteers and staff.

If you can see a way to help wilderness, wildlife and people – through a fundraiser, a donation, or introduction to a friend or company – it will make a huge difference. Simply sharing our social posts gets our reach further and wider.

Coming back to autumn, and reflecting on what to shake off from the year, I share with you that December will most likely be my last blog. I am stepping down to hand over to new blood and energy to lead the Foundation to new paths, for new leaves to form. I am keen to write, to teach and help others in their striving to do the best for nature and people, and will continue my wilderness therapy research and work.

We will keep you updated on the developments.

In the meanwhile – stay wild – keep talking and doing.

Best,

Jo