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About us |
Our Vision:
A world of brave, empowered, creative, inspiring, life-regenerating global citizens who act for future generations, understanding the interconnectedness of life.
Our Mission:
We are a not-for-profit social enterprise nurturing and creating a beautiful and inspirational place, where visitors can connect with themselves, each other, and the wider-world - and consider their place in nature, community, and self in different ways.
Through transformative experiences we may remember our deeper nature, and through reciprocal relationship with the land and story telling, cultivate a love of place (oikophilia). Visitors leave here inspired, rested, restored and reset.
We have an endless list of tasks to get involved in, delicious food to share, a magical waterfall to revere, other-than-humans to observe, a swing to play on, a sauna to get hot in, a space to be in awe and wonder of this incredible world we live on.
The project is within Waterfall Farm, 19 acres of land being regenerated. With seven generations ahead in mind, we have planted over 5000 trees and focus on soil regeneration, water capture, flood mitigation for nearby villages (primarily Chew Stoke), carbon drawdown, and a programme of rewilding, ponds and more tree planting. We are committed to lowering our carbon footprint and continually assess how we can live lighter on the planet.
Our work has been recognised on Countryfile representing Chew Valley Plants Trees - a local volunteer-led campaign Ben co-founded to double the tree cover in the Chew Valley by 2030.
We've been quietly working away for years with organisations such as National Centre for Integrative Medicine, Bristol University, Black2Nature, Friends of the Earth, Shambala Festival, Somerset Scythe School, The Woodland Trust, young people from local schools, as well as hundreds of volunteers from the Chew Valley, Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas.
By choosing to visit us, you fund others less privileged the opportunity to visit. This means we don't have to rely on external funding to offer our services.
A world of brave, empowered, creative, inspiring, life-regenerating global citizens who act for future generations, understanding the interconnectedness of life.
Our Mission:
- We care for the life-systems surrounding the waterfall.
- We model ecological care for future generations and provide educational and transformative opportunities to support this.
- We provide opportunities for people who do not ordinarily have access to natural spaces, to experience and enjoy them.
We are a not-for-profit social enterprise nurturing and creating a beautiful and inspirational place, where visitors can connect with themselves, each other, and the wider-world - and consider their place in nature, community, and self in different ways.
Through transformative experiences we may remember our deeper nature, and through reciprocal relationship with the land and story telling, cultivate a love of place (oikophilia). Visitors leave here inspired, rested, restored and reset.
We have an endless list of tasks to get involved in, delicious food to share, a magical waterfall to revere, other-than-humans to observe, a swing to play on, a sauna to get hot in, a space to be in awe and wonder of this incredible world we live on.
The project is within Waterfall Farm, 19 acres of land being regenerated. With seven generations ahead in mind, we have planted over 5000 trees and focus on soil regeneration, water capture, flood mitigation for nearby villages (primarily Chew Stoke), carbon drawdown, and a programme of rewilding, ponds and more tree planting. We are committed to lowering our carbon footprint and continually assess how we can live lighter on the planet.
Our work has been recognised on Countryfile representing Chew Valley Plants Trees - a local volunteer-led campaign Ben co-founded to double the tree cover in the Chew Valley by 2030.
We've been quietly working away for years with organisations such as National Centre for Integrative Medicine, Bristol University, Black2Nature, Friends of the Earth, Shambala Festival, Somerset Scythe School, The Woodland Trust, young people from local schools, as well as hundreds of volunteers from the Chew Valley, Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas.
By choosing to visit us, you fund others less privileged the opportunity to visit. This means we don't have to rely on external funding to offer our services.
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Ben Moss has been living and breathing a sustainable lifestyle for much of his adult life. After studying anthropology at Oxford Brooks, disenchanted as a graduate with the mainstream pathways, he took his own path towards a regenerative life by volunteering on a permaculture farm in Dorset for a year. During his 20’s he travelled, explored, volunteered and worked in many places such as London, Mozambique, Scotland, Colombia and Cambodia before settling in Bristol and finding his calling to start a social enterprise: Bristol Wood Recycling Project. First as co-founder and managing director, later converted into a co-operative; today is successful and thriving - a home and inspiration to all who visit. Ben has a masters degree in Regenerative Economics and has been inspired by this land. Ben might otherwise be found on his bicycle, protesting on top of an airport structure, meeting the prime minister or glueing himself to trucks on Waterloo bridge.
Sarah Poppy Jackson, as well as being custodian to this land, she is also a water protector, nature-based practitioner, leadership coach, group facilitator, cycling instructor, author and activist. Holding a master’s degree in Regenerative Economics and a degree in Economics, she sees the destructive nature of the outdated neoliberal model and campaigns for change. She has been captain of a Caribbean sailing boat; cycled the length and width of Wales facilitating sustainability workshops at schools; and campaigned for change for nearly 20 years. She converted her MA dissertation exploring the value of water into a zine book called 'Reclaim Your Sh*t! Water Beyond Value'. She has facilitation training in Ecopsychology, Animas Institute, The Work that Reconnects, Systemic Coaching, Transformational Leadership, Action Learning, Climate Fresk, among others and is deeply interested in how to nurture whole human beings to cooperate in our disconnected culture. She likes talking to birds and making medicines from the fields and hedgerows.
Together they have also created Maya Moss-Jackson.
Sarah Poppy Jackson, as well as being custodian to this land, she is also a water protector, nature-based practitioner, leadership coach, group facilitator, cycling instructor, author and activist. Holding a master’s degree in Regenerative Economics and a degree in Economics, she sees the destructive nature of the outdated neoliberal model and campaigns for change. She has been captain of a Caribbean sailing boat; cycled the length and width of Wales facilitating sustainability workshops at schools; and campaigned for change for nearly 20 years. She converted her MA dissertation exploring the value of water into a zine book called 'Reclaim Your Sh*t! Water Beyond Value'. She has facilitation training in Ecopsychology, Animas Institute, The Work that Reconnects, Systemic Coaching, Transformational Leadership, Action Learning, Climate Fresk, among others and is deeply interested in how to nurture whole human beings to cooperate in our disconnected culture. She likes talking to birds and making medicines from the fields and hedgerows.
Together they have also created Maya Moss-Jackson.
Some of the other-than-human species that live here...
Testimonials
"I stayed overnight on the land. It was a pleasure to see somewhere carefully brought back into use for people and nature in a way that's sensible and has no visible impact. I struggled to find the site because it was so tucked away. Knowing this land is used and means different things to different people, in terms of conservation, community and wellbeing is really valuable. I left feeling held, rested and refreshed after a morning dip in the waterfall."
Daniel Oliver - Associate Consultant - SetSquared Incubator, Bath University
Daniel Oliver - Associate Consultant - SetSquared Incubator, Bath University
'I've been lucky enough to come to Ben and Sarah Poppy's land on a number of occasions - to help plant trees, to camp, to spend time at the waterfall. It has always felt like such a privilege to connect with the land, and with nature - a welcome break from city life in Bristol. In particular I love the tree planting days - a really special time to not only connect with nature, but with a community of people who share the same values as you. In this nature and connection depleted times, projects like Ben and Sarah Poppy's are invaluable. Thank you.'
Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent - Author, Journalist, Speaker
Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent - Author, Journalist, Speaker
"I have been visiting the land for some time now and seen the love and care Sarah and Ben have put into the tree planting project and care of the waterful, maintaining its value as a historical community asset. Encouraging visitors to feel the same. I personally have benefited from visiting there and been made to feel welcome and connected to the community of people that this land brings together, and as a writer I have visited and worked, feeling the peace and serenity that is often so difficult to find. It's important to value people like Ben and Sarah as their values of inclusivity, nurture, low impact and care and connection with nature are priceless in times when the importance of these values can often be disregarded in favour of exclusivity and profit."
Gary Fawle - Writer
Gary Fawle - Writer
"I have visited the land with the Strode Waterfall several times. Once as a volunteer to help plant trees. This was a day of community, I remember a family who I met while I was walking in, a mother with young children. These days were an opportunity for people of all ages to learn more about nature; experience fresh air, connection and physicality for improving mental and physical health; and to receive a sense of community as we worked together and then shared food and got to know each other. Another time I have been there as a visitor to the waterfall. The signposts around there are helpful and friendly and demonstrate great care for the land. I heard many stories of the abuse that the location had suffered, from being posted on the internet, and over-visited, with litter, camping, and people who broke the trees and endangered wildlife. I am a strong believer that the place benefits from having guardians, to maintain the best possible balance for the ecosystem with so much public interference."
Rozalie Hilton - Mentoring and Workshops. Expression and Awareness through Applied-Arts
Rozalie Hilton - Mentoring and Workshops. Expression and Awareness through Applied-Arts
"Carrie and I have two children (Martin aged 14 and Malia aged 10). We actively look for opportunities to show them positive projects involving sustainability, community mobilisation and creativity. Strode Waterfall Land and Story Project has been just that. Seasonally, we visit the project to help with whatever needs doing. We have helped to plant trees, to water trees, to weed around trees. We have helped to put up and fix fencing around trees. We always meet other families and volunteers when we are there, and enjoy the chatting and sharing of experiences, hopes and plans. We have, as a family, stayed a night in the yurt, which allowed us to show the children the joy of sitting around an outdoor fire, to look at the stars together, and to see birds, bats and owls. This was a brilliant time for us. The waterfall has provided a beautiful place for wild swimming. Thank you to Ben and Sarah for making this all possible for us."
David, Caroline, Martin & Malia
David, Caroline, Martin & Malia
"I am a local GP and enthusiast for nature, health and wellbeing. I have known Ben and SarahPoppy for over 15 years. Over that time I have always been struck by their commitment to the natural world and to social justice as evidenced by their work, their words and their willingness to take a stand. Their decision to set up the Strode Waterfall Land and Story Project is testament to everything that they represent in the world and I want to recognise and promote the value and impact of the work that they do. I have taken part in volunteer tree-planting on several occasions, brought medical students out to the land in order to learn something of the value of nature and seen Ben and SarahPoppy invest huge amounts of time, energy and money in caring for, improving and defending the land which they so dearly love. They have not only improved the land (in terms of biodiversity, sustainability and resilience) but also changed people’s lives for the better while doing so. They are leading lights in how stewardship of the land can contribute to community cohesion, health and wellbeing. They do this not for any personal benefit, indeed, they do it at some cost to themselves. Their guiding principle seems to be ‘how can this land be cared for in service of nature and humanity’? In doing so, they absolutely live up to their avowed aims of working towards soil regeneration, water capture, flood mitigation for nearby villages (Chew Stoke primarily), carbon drawdown & storage, and mental & physical wellbeing for all who visit."
Duncan Still - GP
Duncan Still - GP
