2026 free community offering

🌳 A Year With a Tree 🌳

A gentle, year‑long nature belonging project

1. What this is

A simple, grounding way of being with the living world around you.
A Year With a Tree is a quiet, year‑long invitation to slow down and notice the natural world more closely. You choose one tree - or a bush or shrub - and follow its unfolding year, from early buds to full leaf, from autumn colour to winter rest.
It’s a practice of belonging, attention, and companionship. A way to root yourself in a different rhythm, one that moves at the pace of seasons rather than screens.
There is no expertise needed. Just curiosity, presence, and a willingness to notice small changes over time - and to gently document them so they don’t slip past unnoticed.

2. Who it's for

Anyone who longs for a gentler rhythm.
This project is for you if:

• you often feel the seasons pass before you’ve had a chance to notice
• you want a simple, grounding practice that fits into everyday life
• you’re drawn to nature but don’t always have time for long walks
• you enjoy photography, journalling, or quiet reflection
• you’d like to feel part of a small, gentle community
• you’re curious about building a relationship with one living being over time

It’s also a beautiful fit for:

• parents who want to create a small weekly ritual with their children
• carers and the people they support — even if someone is house‑bound, they may have a tree or shrub visible from a window
• people with limited mobility, who can choose a tree they can see or easily access
• anyone feeling overwhelmed, who needs a simple, steadying practice

It’s accessible whether you have a garden, a balcony, a favourite local tree, or even a tree you can see from your window.

3. How it works

Simple, flexible, and designed to meet you where you are.
You choose your tree: a street tree, a park tree, a garden tree, a woodland tree, or even a shrub. Then, each week (or whenever you can), you:

• take a photo
• notice what’s changed
• optionally write a short reflection
• share in the private group if you’d like

Each week, I’ll send a gentle prompt: a small reminder to visit your tree, take your photo, and notice what’s changed. These prompts help create a steady rhythm, especially on busy weeks.

There is no pressure to be consistent. No expectations about how much you share. You can participate quietly or actively - both are welcome.

Choose your level of participation:

• If you only have 5 minutes a week: take a photo
• 10–15 minutes: add a short reflection
• Longer: join in with weekly prompts and seasonal invitations

At the end of the year, you’ll have a personal record of your tree’s cycle and, if you choose, you can contribute to a collective gallery celebrating our shared noticing.

4. Practical details

Everything you need to know before joining.

• Cost: Free
• Where: To make this project accessible for different comfort levels, you can choose between
  • a private Facebook group (for those who already use Facebook and prefer a familiar space)
  • a private Substack group (for those who prefer a quieter, privacy‑conscious environment without social‑media noise)
  You’re welcome to join whichever space feels right for you.
• When: We begin at one of the most hopeful moments in the year’s cycle: the early stirrings of spring, when buds are forming and everything is waking up. This is the perfect time to start noticing, even if the first signs have already begun.
  The project runs for a full year from this point, following your tree through all its seasons.
• What you need: A tree, a phone camera, and a few minutes each week
• Weekly rhythm: You’ll receive a short weekly prompt to help you remember your photo and offer a small invitation for reflection.
• Accessibility: Suitable for all mobility levels.
• Privacy: You choose what you share; quiet participation is welcome.

To join the private group, simply send me a message.