Luke Massey

Having started out as a wildlife photographer and filmmaker, Luke now focuses on creating safe spaces for Nature. With biodiversity as his top priority on his personal farm in the north of Spain, Luke runs seasonal guided experiences on the land as well as online interactive retreats for all. We selected Luke as, beyond his direct mission of conscious and intentional rewilding, his work in creating safe, nurturing spaces while fostering hope for future generations is a powerful message we had to help spread and celebrate!

How does time in Nature, and feeling connected to Nature, help you personally?

“For me Nature is a place to explore and unwind. It also a place where I am very happy to just sit and absorb it. In fact I find myself doing this a little too often when I probably should be doing some actual work. It has certainly helped me through the hardest times in my life. Losing my mum at a young age I was able to not only feel close to her whilst in nature, but let it soothe my pain. Despite feeling incredibly upset, if I could see an amazing species, or witness some cool behavior that helped me through for sure.”

What advice do you have for people looking for a better connection with Nature?

“Nature is everywhere. I always tell people, you do not need to go to nature, because it isn’t this magical place that you can only visit at certain times or in certain areas, it is everywhere. Unfortunately, I am aware that certain Nature spaces aren’t safe for everyone, and I know I am very privileged to never having felt that way. But nature can be as simple as sitting on a bench and watching some feral pigeons or gulls go about their business. I remember sitting at a train station and watching some gulls bicker on the translucent roof above me. It was fun to be the witness to their little dispute but also see nature in a new way, I’d never had a worms eye view of gull before, watching their feet stamping on the roof above me. Sometimes connecting with nature is as simple as unplugging, sitting and watching. Don’t reach for your phone, take your headphones out, and just watch and see what happens.”

What changes would you like to see to help more people access Nature and build positive, nurturing relationships with it?

“Locally I would love to see more sensitive education in terms of the natural world. I have never lived anywhere before, where despite being rural, local attitudes are so anti-nature. Everything is seen as a pest, if something is seen in any number we are told there are too many of them. 

On a larger scale I would love to see more collaboration between people in terms of conservation. I am fully aware of people having different values and beliefs. But there are things we can agree on, and respect each other’s ways. I know there are terrible farming examples out there, but I also have met, visited and seen farms that are providing food to people, in some cases meat, who are taking extreme measures, and investing both large amounts of time and finances to make their farm a safe space for wildlife, and these farms could rival many nature reserves I have seen. This is just one example.

Deep down, there are very few people who probably want to see a species go extinct, or a habitat disappear. I think given time, and help, we can nurture more care for the natural world. I would love to see more blending of stakeholders as opposed to seeing warring parties, saying my way or else.

I’m pleased to see more groups set up for people to access nature, I think this has been forgotten and ignored in the past. I’d love to see this continue to grow, and everyone take some responsibility for the natural world.” 

Find out more about Luke and his work:

Luke’s Website

Luke’s Instagram

Luke’s Wild Finca Community