Nature works in a series of cycles such as the inevitability of waves rising and falling in the ocean. Life may have felt the same for many of you, over the past year, with ups and downs on lots of levels. It has been tough for people across the globe.
However, the end of a year brings the opportunity of new beginnings and fresh starts, new resolutions and clearer thoughts.

Whatever your experiences through 2008, I hope that you get some quiet time and have a chance to get outside into the crisp and fresh air of winter. So much of our focus on the environment is intellectual – particularly for those of us who live in cities – and we so easily lose touch with the sensory side of what Nature has to offer. Take time to soak up the smells of damp woodland and pine forests, the soft carpet of fallen leaves underfoot, the clear tinking of tits in the branches, and a lifting of Spirits just from the quiet, wonder of it all. Try to take stock of what the new year will bring and the lessons learned of last year.

In 2009 we will continue to support as many people experiencing wild places as possible, and will also focus on nature conservation and climate change issues, risks facing old growth forests from the logging industry in the surge for carbon sequestration, the challenges of preserving wild landscapes with our insatiable need for energy. We will make sure that everything we take on is relevant, important and makes a difference to awareness and practical conservation of wilderness.

As friends you are vital to this all happening and we welcome emails, phone calls and communication from you all if you want to discuss any part of the Foundation’s work with us, or get more involved.

We have a fantastic team of staff in the office, and Trustees, who are driven by passion and not their rather meagre pay packets – and they do a superb job in everything they touch. I am really proud to work with them.

For my New Year resolution I aim to give more time to them, to the Friends of the Foundation and to sit quietly in a wild place each day just to remind myself of why we do what we do.

Kind regards and happy reflections.
Jo