Exploring the value of Reconnecting with Nature
Exploring the value of Reconnecting with Nature
Ostara has orchestrated a series of exploratory journeys, aimed at delving into the value of pausing, reflecting, and reconnecting with nature’s wisdom – an alternative response to the frenzied action as the default response to the increasing urgency of the crises we face.
In collaboration with mainstream finance, business, and environmental professionals, we’ve embarked on these ventures to chart new territories through experiential and embodied time in nature. These endeavours signify our initial steps into unexplored realms, where experimentation serves as the guiding compass. Some examples from the last few months include:
- Dundreggan Rewilding Centre: In partnership with the Green Finance Institute, we embarked on a journey to the awe-inspiring Dundreggan Rewilding Centre in Scotland. Surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of Loch Ness, we immersed ourselves in the vision of restoring the Caledonian Forest. Amidst old Gaelic folk tales and songs, deep conversations blossomed, fostering a profound sense of interconnectedness.
- Singing with Nightingales: Hosted by folk singer Sam Lee, we gathered around a Beltane fire in the ancient woodlands of Sussex to celebrate May Day. Serenaded by the melodious tunes of nightingales, meaningful discussions ensued, laying the groundwork for an enriching workshop on communicating the importance of nature reconnection the following day.
- Wicken Fen: Working with a group of 80 emerging leaders from the Nature Conservancy, we ventured out onto Wicken Fen, one of England’s last fragments of undrained fenland managed by the National Trust. Amidst the tranquility of the wetland, participants were encouraged to embrace moments of solitude. Here, amidst the whispers of nature, they found solace and inspiration, penning poetry, observing clouds, and listening to birdsong—a gentle reminder of our profound relationship with the Earth and the purpose of their work.
These experiences, though in their infancy, offer a glimpse into the potential for fostering deeper dialogue and listening across diverse sectors. They represent an experiment in slowing down to reimagine the future amidst the urgency of the climate and nature crises. At the core of Ostara’s theory of change lies the imperative to slow down and reconnect with nature—to carve out space for thinking differently and rediscovering our profound interconnectedness with all life. It’s about reclaiming what truly enriches and sustains us, amidst the chaos of our modern world.