There is something good about coming to the end of a busy year with the prospect of a fresh one over the horizon. It gives us time to set new goals and start afresh with new initiatives. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support and encouragement. After all, your commitment enables us to achieve a huge amount, touching the lives of many individuals in a way that no other organisation does.
The bigger picture
For me, this year has highlighted the need for personal integrity, mirroring the need for us to show integrity and respect for the planet and nature. We have to start by respecting ourselves and each other and keep this foremost in our minds in all we do.
This was the theme of the talk delivered at the Wild9 Congress in Mexico (Humanising The Enemy – Wilderness and the Peace Process) by myself and Alistair Little (an ex-loyalist paramilitary and now a respected leader in reconciliation processes). Many scientists and participants reflected back how it had complemented the event’s outstanding scientific initiatives and environmental learning and touched them personally.
Social benefit from wilderness experience has been a strong focus this year. In May we were part of the cutting edge conference on Wild Europe held in Prague. This highlighted the need to protect tracts of old growth pristine forest which still remain in countries such as Romania and sections of unchanged landscape that ironically have been protected by the military no-go zones dividing East and West Europe. Here insects and flora remain untouched by any intervention giving huge opportunities for conservationists to maintain their status under protection.
To prevent the loss of these areas of forest and meadow to industrialisation and development, we have to offer alternatives demonstrating the benefits of social health, water and tourism alongside biodiversity protection. Toby Aykroyd, our Vice Chairman, is working at the highest political levels in Europe and maintains a steely determination in keeping this battle right at the top of what is a vital agenda.
A new story to tell
We know scientifically through the work carried out by the University of Essex that the wilderness trail experience is a highly effective tool in raising self esteem and lifting mood. This has once again been demonstrated as our second group of TurnAround youth have graduated. The seven young people who came to us with violent histories, vulnerable to crime, drugs, school exclusion and a lack of self belief now have a new story to tell thanks to this ground-breaking project that supports them for the long term. Having braved -15 degrees wind chill with snow and ice in the Scottish wilderness, they carry their coping strategies and personal learning in the wilderness as a badge of honour, paving the way to a brighter new future.
Tomorrow’s leaders
This year we launched a new wilderness trail initiative called Wild Swans. Young women from South Africa and the UK came together for a fifteen day wilderness trail in South Africa – aimed at growing their leadership skills, environmental and cultural understanding. It was challenging for them, but the learning was significant. In 2010 we hope to work with young women from across communities in Derry in Northern Ireland, girls from London and from two communities in South Africa. This will be the start of a three year programme building up for the London and Derry historical celebrations in 2013.
Our Sirius Programme for Environmental Leaders, in partnership with Tellus Mater, entered its second year. The outcomes and vision that the young people share with us through this experience leaves us almost breathless with excitement. It is a real privilege to spend time in the wildest parts of Scotland with the brightest young people. We are convinced that their youthful wisdom, energy and passion will ensure a positive future. The trail experience gives them a deep understanding of the balance required to see environment not just from human need perspective, but in a holistic way incorporating wild nature and biodiversity as part of the spectrum. This theme was followed up at our youth conference in November, as we invited some key and current thinkers in the field to put the hard contradictions of climate change and other issues on the table. It was a challenging day but all felt worthwhile and gave huge food for thought.
Touching lives and gaining new ground
Over the course of 2009, more than 100 young people from a variety of schools and partner groups across the UK went to South Africa on various trails, including our first trail in the Kgalagadi Game Reserve with a San-Bushman, a totally remarkable experience. We are really proud to have a long term relationship with our schools and cadet groups and value the relationships that we have forged over time. Thanks to all the staff who work with us to deliver the best life experiences possible to young people.
Back home we have a dynamic hands-on team working in local schools. From building wildlife and climate change gardens to running outreach to young people in Chelmsford, we are teaching sustainability in a variety of ways. It is a great way to engage ‘little’ people who are too small to go on a trail but can learn to love nature and benefit from it in other ways.
Our allotment programme, under Richard Corby, is also gaining new ground with regards to mental health and nature, as we aim to become a centre of excellence where people can come and learn how to run their own gardens and be more self sufficient. Not ‘wilderness’, but it really does reach people who want and need to stay local and change the way they do things.
All of this work continues in 2010, a year which marks a new outreach programme for wilderness therapy activities in Scotland, and hopefully another hub opening up in the North East to include activities such as walks and talks and social events. So as you can see we’re on the move…
We would also welcome your feedback on how you would like to hear from us. Would you prefer we kept you up to date by post or via online communications such as emails, blogs and website updates? We would value your thoughts on this and any other matters that are important to you, so please do contact us via email, letter or just give us a call on 01245 443073.
We look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your continued support
Seasons Greetings
Jo and the Wilderness Team
