After ten years of dreaming, four years of searching, and three months of negotiation, we are delighted to share the news that the Gaia Forest Project finally has a home; last month we exchanged contracts on a beautiful organic farm located on Gumbaynggirr country on the New England plateau on the Mid-north coast hinterland of New South Wales.
We are immensely grateful to all those who have supported the vision along the way, with their energy, encouraging words and advice. Without this support we would have given up long ago. Our aspiration is that Gaia Forest becomes a place that many people can call their spiritual home and place of refuge.
The land includes a rare remnant of high-conservation value old-growth rainforest. World-heritage listed, such forests on the Dorrigo Plateau represent a living link to Australia’s Gondwanan past. Protected by a conservation covenant, the forest is rich in both flora and fauna and home to several threatened species including the endangered Stuttering Frog. Complete with a network of walking trails, permanent creek and small waterfalls, the previous owners have also spent 20 years establishing a thoughtful and extensive permaculture system of organic orchards and gardens.
All this has only been made possible thanks to the timely welcoming of our newest founding member and investor, Alison Heeley. Tenzin crossed paths with Alison at Plum Village in France last year, and on their respective returns we connected locally and began exploring possibilities for realising an aspiration to build sangha in the local area. Our collaboration this year has included the formation of a Bellingen Plum Village sangha that meets monthly, local Days of Mindfulness, as well as the shared vision to make the Gaia Forest project a reality. To find out more about Alison’s background you can visit her Bio page.
We feel privileged to be taking on stewardship of such ancient and unique Gondwanan rainforest, and are committed to taking good care of this climate refuge for both humans and biodiversity for many years to come. On a property of this size such a task is not an insignificant one, and we need your support! To find out more about how you can get involved; for example volunteering, personal retreat or donating to help us develop the project, please contact us. if you don’t already receive it, you can also subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with developments as they unfold. We look forward to hearing from you.
16 responses to “We have arrived, we are home…”
Very beautiful. Congratulations. thanks for taking on such a project, and inviting us to participate. I recall looking at a place like this 20 years ago but we decided we did not have the resources for it. Looking forward to learning more.
Thanks Judy, indeed its only collectively that we have the resources, and only with community that we’d be taking it on! looking forward to welcoming you soon 🙂
That is really exciting news.
I look forward to visiting Gaia Forest Retreat and coming to events closer to home (Mid North and North Coast)
Thanks Judy, Likewise we’re looking forward to developing some retreats in this and nearby regions; so much stunning country to explore! We’ll be in touch 🙂
Oh wow I’m so excited for each one of you! Bev, what a relief this must be, how wonderful:)xx. Br. Tenzin, thank you for all you are doing, the little I know and the much more I imagine happening, what an awesome opportunity to host your own retreats! I’m so excited and will look forward to visiting you when you feel the time appropriate to receive me. And Alison! She/you are so so lovely and I’m thrilled to see her/you following your passion so devotedly. xx
I am absolutely delighted to know this is unfolding and know in my heart what you are undertaking is so so needed and will be warmly received!
New year blessings to you all. xx
Ian Epic Earth 🥕🌀🌏
Thanks so much Ian, once we’re settled we’ll be in touch for sure about retreat opportunities, and Days of Mindfulness in the garden 🙂
Wow! That looks amazing. Wishing you all the best for 2025 and onwards and the growth of this beautiful space for nature and for people.
Thanks Annette, likewise wishing you all the best for the year ahead, and hope you can visit some time soon 🙂
Congratulations. It looks like a very beautiful place.
Thanks Jo, yes indeed it is a beautiful place, in a beautiful part of the world 🙂
I would love to receive your newsletter and visit in retreat one day.
Congratulations to you, Tenzin Alexander & Alison making this place a reality !
Thanks Charlotte! We’ll be in touch when we’re settled, and are looking forward to welcoming you 🙂
Great news Tenzin,
I am so glad your long search was successful.
Now comes the long and hard work to build it up and keep it going.
I look forward to seeing you up there sometime soon,
Reiner
Thanks Reiner, indeed now the journey really begins! Thanks for your solid support – looking forward to sharing the process with you going forward.
Oh what fabulous news….. a property on the Dorrigo plateau.
I am certainly interested in coming to visit, taking part in the development of this centre in whatever way I can.
I look forward to any more news and hope to set foot on this land myself in the near future.
Congratualtions…. Satyamo
Thanks so much Satyamo, we’ll be in touch when we’re settled in and look forward to welcoming you 🙂 _/\_