My earliest memory is of collecting and sowing pansy seeds with my Grandad and Mum. Since then I have interacted with the natural world in many ways from growing food, bird watching, wildlife gardening and creating abundant community gardens.
The experiences of growing up with a strong connection to nature has given me a refuge from the norms of capitalist and heteronormative society, holding space for my queerness and giving me a solid education in ecological ways of thinking and living.
From my early teens onwards I have gained much experience in regenerative farming practices, ecological surveying, habitat restoration and creation, and environmental activism through volunteering and paid work at many sites around the country.
More recently I have begun learning and teaching queer theory/ecology and I strongly believe that there can be no environmental justice and system change without LGBTIQ+ justice.
Our knowledge and perspectives are crucial to creating healthy, resilient and biodiverse communities.
Which is why I am excited to be involved in this project, as the creation of safe spaces for queer and other marginalised people in rural areas is essential for saving/rescuing the biodiverse and culturally diverse landscape of our islands.
The particular passions that I am following now are:
- Creating better access to land for marginalized communities
- Re-learning and re-storying our folk histories, especially for queer people
- Growing large amounts of food sustainably on small scale community projects
- Queer Ecology
- Learning Welsh and Scots Gaelic
What do I bring to the project?
- A detailed knowledge of the ecosystems and species of the British Isles
- Experience in ecological surveys and management plan creation and implementation
- Experience of leading community garden projects on shoestring budgets from scratch
- Experience in regenerative farming methods
- Public speaking and workshop holding
Tom (they/them)
