Walking Forest 2020/2021

There are four strands to the work for this year and going into 2021:

• TREES – Gathering seeds, saplings and stories to mark the connection between women, activism and trees.
• MYCELIUM – Weaving a network of diverse UK and international communities, artists and earth activists of all ages. Drawing inspiration from mycelium connections under the forest floor (the threads of fungi which pick up, transfer and exchange nutrients and water between trees).
• GIFTING – Gifting of both literal and symbolic ‘radicle daughter’ seeds from the last standing tree in the Suffragette Batheaston Arboretum
• PROPAGATION CAMPS – Site-specific residencies and exchanges to offer activist training for women, connections to Women Earth Defenders around the world and an exploration of a regenerative culture based on the natural world, care and co-operation.

Residences are planned to take place mostly in woodlands and outdoor sites and include practical seed propagating and tree planting events combined with creative reflection and making through sewing, writing, drawing, dialogue and personal story sharing.

Each residency will involve workshops with women focusing on strengthening marginalised voices and inspiring action. These will include live links with international activists and stories from female activists around the world. Connections will be made between place restoration and climate adaptation; the relationship of trees and nature conservation to a ‘regenerative culture’ and well being, the history of women’s leadership in tree protection and rights across the world and our own Suffragette history in the UK.

These will culminate in public celebratory ‘tree’ days including performance, walks or runs and discussion connecting to wider narratives of the carbon cycle, ecosystems, climate justice and international Earth protectors. From these events we will gather participants and material to stage a mass public performance to coincide with the COP26 climate talks.