I’ve been feeling increasingly unsettled by the realisation that many of us working in the environmental sector have become strangely disconnected from nature itself. We spend our days behind screens, in meeting rooms, largely boxed off from the natural world we aim to protect.
I’ve felt this acutely in my own life through what I call my “plant blindness” – barely able to name the plants and trees on my own street, let alone tune in to their stories or sense what they might be needing right now. How can we be truly effective in our work if we feel cut off from the very thing we hope to defend? Are we quietly reinforcing the dangerous idea that we are separate from nature?
Robin Wall Kimmerer, in Braiding Sweetgrass, describes “species loneliness” – a deep, unnamed sadness that comes from our estrangement from the rest of nature, from the loss of relationship. As human dominance over the world has grown, so too has our isolation, our quiet grief at no longer being able to call out to our neighbours in the more-than-human world.
These two ideas – plant blindness and species loneliness – have captivated me and reshaped my understanding of what it means to do effective environmental work. How can we create lasting change when we are suffering from this disconnection? And, more importantly, how do we begin to heal it?
Our recent Green Fundraisers Forum retreat with a small group of environmental fundraisers, facilitated by Change in Nature, felt like an antidote. We all left feeling more deeply connected to nature, to our peers, to our purpose, and also to our work. The experience was uplifting and joyful, yet also very grounding and restorative – a reminder that our strength lies in connection.
Over two days in the beautiful natural setting of Hawkwood College, we explored what truly motivates us and worked through a process to discover “what is ours to do” in the face of planetary crisis. The response from participants was extraordinary and continues to ripple outward.
Why a nature retreat for environmental fundraisers?
EFN’s Green Fundraisers Forum is at a pivotal moment. We’ve just surpassed 1,500 members, the programme is well established, and engagement is high – reflecting the need for this support. We now have a strong voice in the sector – and funders have been receptive, even asking for more. It felt like the right moment to gather, take stock, and look ahead.
The group included fundraisers who had taken on a mentorship role within the GFF community and wider sector, or were experimenting with fresh approaches to their work, and generously sharing what they were learning and benefiting the sector beyond the scope of their own roles. They were also in need of space to slow down, reflect, and support their own wellbeing to prevent burnout.
But more than anything, the retreat was an expression of gratitude. We wanted to recognise and appreciate the often unseen work that fundraisers do. It was also about connection (to nature and each other), collaboration, exploring purpose and place within the sector, and sparking creativity in a challenging context.
“It was wonderful, restorative, authentic. It helped me take a step back and revisit the things that truly matter… I feel rejuvenated and more driven, grounded and inspired.” – Retreat participant
What came out of it?
We decided to be a little radical. Beyond naming four core objectives – appreciation, connection, clarity, alignment – and setting out how we wanted participants to feel by the end – we resisted the urge to over-engineer outcomes. Instead, we trusted that bringing people together, in nature, at a slower pace, would result in incredible things. We also knew that some of these things would only emerge years from now, and that others would never be traced directly back to this gathering.
The response? Better than we could have hoped. Every single participant said they left feeling inspired, creative, connected, and more like themselves. People spoke about lightbulb moments and fresh perspectives, as well as feeling genuinely seen and appreciated. The conversations felt honest and refreshing – and that turned out to be exactly what was needed.
In just a few weeks, new collaborations and campaign ideas have surfaced, two spin off session ideas have been scheduled for the autumn – a workshop to deepen climate literacy and a session taking us behind the scenes of a major environmental charity’s philanthropy journey – and participants are still reporting better clarity and motivation in their work.
And then there are the ripples we might never hear about. I’m reminded of a conversation I had a few years ago with a climate activist about funding models which led, quietly, to an entire programme that she later joined and was funded by, unaware at the time that she’d been a major inspiration for the whole thing. I think change often works like that – it unfolds in unexpected ways.
What’s next?
I feel that the environmental sector’s relentless urgency has become its own form of blindness, another way we risk losing sight of what truly sustains change. Plant blindness, species loneliness, and the constant pressure to act all pull us away from the slow, relational work that allows transformation to take root. Our time at Hawkwood reminded me that fundraising, like any living system, also needs to nurture connection – with nature, with each other, and with our own sense of purpose. The most powerful results are sometimes the ones we can’t predict or measure, the ones that ripple quietly through networks until one day they emerge.
Over the next few weeks we’ll hear from some of the other retreat participants as we invite them to share their reflections, as well as some of their priorities, challenges, and hopes for the months ahead on this blog.
“Space, connections, challenging my normal approach, authentic conversations, laughter and community – I’ve gained so much from the Green Fundraisers Forum and would love to give back anyway I can!”” – Retreat participant
We’re also planning a second fundraiser retreat with Change in Nature next May, together with several similarly designed away days. We’re excited to make these a regular feature of the programme, so if you’re an environmental fundraiser and this has piqued your interest – watch this space!
And if you are a funder member of EFN you are supporting this work and the sector – nurturing connections and ideas, creating the space to move beyond the relentless business as usual, and supporting the wellbeing of people working to create a thriving planet.
Get involved
- If you’re an environmental fundraisers, you can join the Green Fundraisers Forum for free right now.
- If you’re a funder and would like to learn more or support this work, please contact Natasha.
- If you’re interested in your own nature retreat, we highly recommend our facilitators, Change in Nature.
- If you’re looking for a venue for a retreat or event, we are delighted that Hawkwood College is offering the following discount on courses and venue hire for any involved with EFN:
- 10% off venue hire for any booking made by 31 October 2025 – valid for all remaining 2025 availability and available 2026 dates.
- 10% off residential courses for individual or group bookings on our public programme using the code EFN10 at checkout (offer code expires 31 December 2025)
- Mention this blog when getting in touch and email here to enquire.