Community
Ecosystem Restoration

The Earthed Summit – “By restoring and growing, we are strengthening ecosystems.”

Back in November 2024 we hosted the first Earthed summit -“Our Future Regenerated.” A day full of inspiring talks focused on how we can create a future where life can thrive.

Liane, one of our community pollinators and contributor to Coral Reef Restoration course, attended the Earthed summit. Here she shares her experience of how the summit renewed her sense of optimism. As well as a commitment to taking action to restore the natural world.

Tayshan Hayden-Smith, Ed Morrison, Poppy Okotcha, Laura Kaestele, Ellen Miles, facilitated by Jack Harries

My experience at the Earthed summit

It is rare, in the largest city in the UK, to feel like you are completely surrounded only by positive energy and good, kind, passionate people. But that is what the Earthed summit in November was like. The Barbican Centre is an impressive building; glassy and so light, sunny and green despite being in the throes of UK winter, with an array of towering, but soothing, leafy plants. The perfect setting for the day.

As someone who is not that good at sitting still for any length of time, I wondered how I would sit through a day of talks. However the speakers and topics were so interesting and encouraging that the day flew by.

I have recently relocated back to the UK after around nine years of working abroad. I am still finding my place again in this country, and learning how to connect with nature here. I absorbed so much knowledge and inspiration from this day that is helping me on that journey.

Soil is the foundation!

I loved the emphasis on the soil throughout many of the talks. It really fits with the name ‘Earthed’. Soil is the anchor and the soul of everything else in nature. It is the foundation, but it is so easily forgotten, sitting quietly underneath our feet.

A talk with the founder of Sugi, an organisation that creates biodiverse, dense pocket forests, emphasised that the key to the success of these forests is to start with the soil. We were encouraged by different speakers to take the time to appreciate the soil; feel the soil under your bare feet, hold it in your hands, connect with it as our source.

Making real change

The whole theme of the summit was – what are the solutions? As someone who deals with a lot of eco-anxiety and frequently has negative thoughts about the state of the planet, this was so uplifting.

A point that really stuck with me was how important restoration is to the problem of climate change and species migration; nature has dealt with many changes over thousands of years, and if nature is in a healthy state then it is better able to adapt to these changes.

By restoring and growing, we are strengthening ecosystems.

Especially to the threat of climate change and anthropogenic impact. Let’s hold on to that, and instead of thinking the problem is too big for us to solve, we can all do what we can to help nature to help itself.

I also loved how many of the speakers had set up schemes to involve their communities in growing and restoring. Such as; getting school children involved and excited about growing their own food, combining gardening with hip-hop to engage marginalised youth, and involving indigenous wisdom in our solutions.

food and farming systems with Guy Singh-Watson, Geetie Singh-Watson, Camilla Fayed, Finn Harries, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, facilitated by Sarah Langford

Our responsibility as Earthed members

I came out of the summit with a renewed sense of optimism. I learnt that one of the most beneficial things we can do is create an attitude change. In many countries around the world, we have become attuned to convenience. We go to the shops and can buy any kind of food at any time of the year. Any clothes we want from any material, and we are so disconnected from where these resources come from. We need to align our habits and actions with the seasons and the natural cycles of food and resources.

And that is what the Earthed community is doing. People are out there setting up community supported agriculture, community allotment spaces, sustainable beauty and fashion, as well as restoring forests, rivers, and other ecosystems. People who live in flats with no outdoor space are experimenting with growing herbs and microgreens on the windowsills, and sharing this knowledge with others.

This is our responsibility now, as part of Earthed; create action, be enthusiastic, welcoming and motivating. Let’s spread this positivity and these solutions, and through this amazing community and the networks we form and grow, we can create real change.