We are a small but growing group of like-minded souls. We would like to live more gently on the earth. We are scientists, forest restorers, meditators, educators, and farmers. We are practical people, who like to get their hands dirty, and we believe that if we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem… Interested in learning more? Please contact us
Founders:
Br. Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson)
Tenzin has a research background in the ecology of climate change impacts on rainforest bird biodiversity. Now ordained as a monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, he has been fortunate to study and practice under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village And at Pa Auk Tawya in the Burmese forest tradition. With a passion for walking retreats in wild places, He is fascinated by the complementarity of the Theravadin, Zen, Vajrayana and Hatha Yoga approaches to cultivation of the spiritual path, and the application of mindfulness to living in harmony within oneself, within community, and with the natural world. To read more please visit his bio page.
Dr Bev Sibthorpe
Bev spent her early years on a small dairy farm in New Zealand then trained as a nurse in Auckland before going on to study anthropology and human science at the ANU in Canberra. She subsequently worked for several decades as an applied epidemiologist, primarily working with and for Aboriginal community controlled primary health care organisations. Bev has a strong commitment to social justice and equity, and to practicing loving kindness and compassion in daily life. Inspired by her time at Plum village in France, she aspires to embrace interbeing, minimise her planetary footprint, grow food, care for the land and nurture family and friends. To read more please visit her bio page.
Alison Heeley
Alison grew up in Melbourne and was fortunate to spend many long hours riding bikes, exploring rock pools, making cubbies, and greeting koalas outside the back door on holidays with her family at Phillip Island. These experiences inspired Alison to love and care for ecosystems, and drew her to environmental activism from her early 20s. Her subsequent career in mental health nursing reinforced her underlying commitment to also being present for people, and underscored the importance of care and compassion in daily life. She moved with her son to Bellingen around 2010 to immerse herself in a small, environmentally and socially active community where she transitioned from working in community mental health to community development roles, with community gardens as a focus to support well-being. To read more please visit Alison’s bio page.
Spiritual guidance
We draw deep inspiration from the late Venerable Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, and abundant nourishment and support from our connection with the Plum Village and Sakya Tibetan sanghas, and our heart connection with the wonderful community at www.yatra.org.au.
