Choosing Your Local Hero: Tips from Laurie King

Meet Laurie King

As a writer, researcher, and guide, Laurie supports people to grow and develop through Nature connection. Her interest in how humans relate to Nature, and why, has inspired a fascinating journey: environmental activism with indigenous groups, community gardening, a PHD on the intersection between foraging and conservation, co-editing, and most recently, becoming a Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner and rites of passage guide.

Laurie has experienced first-hand the transformational effect of profound encounters in Nature to improve lives. She is also dedicated to passing this gift on, through her wonderful writing and facilitation work. This and many other reasons are why Laurie was chosen to be one of our 2024 RWY Champions, and now, also a great guide to help us pinpoint other nature heroes.

Having recently worked closely with many Nature heroes for the book Wilder Journeys: True Stories of Nature, Adventure & Connection, we asked Laurie for tips on how best to spot a Nature hero when we see one…

Below are some qualities and questions that we can ask ourselves when uncovering some of the inspiring people in our orbit…

Someone who encourages others to connect with, or learn about, Nature.

Perhaps a teacher or a filmmaker you know?

Someone who speaks or advocates on behalf of Nature.

Maybe a campaigner or a conservationist?

Someone who does their best to live in harmony with Nature.

Do you have a neighbour who lives in an eco-home, or who makes their own beauty products from natural materials?

Someone who actively encourages biodiversity.

Maybe you know someone who plants trees, tends a wildlife garden, or does rewilding on their land?

Someone who inspires you

Can you think of someone who has a skill or relationship to Nature that you feel you’d like to learn too?

Laurie’s Heroes

“My Nature Heroes are my next door neighbours — Catherine Davies and Pascal Carr because of their lifestyle choices.”

“They grow willow on their croft (smallholding) to create beautiful hand weaved baskets. They have also turned a plot of land covered in bracken into a garden, growing much of their own food and also flowers to attract pollinators. They are passionate about creating a haven for biodiversity, which they see themselves as part of, rather than separate from.”