Wilder Gowbarrow Wildervore Day. 8th October 2019.

ABOUT

Our planet and its species are facing catastrophic collapse, if we don’t act now the home we pass to our children will be doomed. But with so many vested interests selling us their solutions how do we know what to do for the best?

We’re being told we shouldn’t eat meat as it’s bad for the environment but there’s a bigger story to tell. One that doesn’t involve the next technological fix or mass produced, processed plant-based burger to solve it. 

Nature – through her natural functions – has reduced methane and CO2 levels to a level where humans can thrive and regulated our climate successfully for millions of years. Her miraculous intertwined climate cooling functions include a web of life where plants are animals are inseparable in the complex cycle of birth, life, death and decay. 

Nature created herbivores with their methane-producing digestive system as well as all the natural functions to cycle it back out again. Herbivores ‘up-cycle’ inedible plants from landscapes that can’t produce crops so are important if we are to achieve true nutrition security in the turbulent years ahead. When managed properly they also maintain the health of some of our most important carbon capturing habitats – grasslands. 

The recent changes in greenhouse gases and their associated effect on climate are caused by the large scale destruction of natures’ climate cooling ecological mechanisms and the reckless release of the carbon and methane she previously locked out of harm’s way. 

Simplistic reductionist arguments that vilify nature’s own creations such as cattle and sheep are taken out of context and distract us into dangerous inertia. Climate action rallies are an important part of raising awareness and motivating change, but when this well-intentioned activism becomes aligned with an anti-nature solution we should beware. 

There is another way. To listen and learn from our natural world.

Nature cares not for multinational corporations or their profits so is completely unbiased. She has millions of years of climate cooling wisdom to pass on to us if only we are willing to learn. 

On our day-long event is designed to do just that. Set in a breath-taking landscape sculpted by generations of livestock farmers, we explore an ecosystem perspective to food production and climate change. 

Humans are here to stay so we must find a new role within our ecosystem, one that can drive a positive change and influence agriculture to enhance our planet’s natural cooling functions. We call this role a ‘Wildervore.’

Both plants and animals can be grown in ways that support climate function or they can be part of a food system that’s highly damaging. We will teach you the difference so you can make food choices – whether; vegan, vegetarian or omnivore – that drive ecological regeneration, improve your health and enhance the lives of the wildlife and livestock that are part of our food growing systems.   

The day will include some walking on rough ground, (not strenuous) practical demonstrations and a presentation that will include slides and videos. You will be provided with a booklet of information to take away with you and receive complimentary access to the Wildervore approach on-line course and social area to support your continued journey. 

The event will be led by Caroline Grindrod. 

9am -5pm Includes a picnic lunch. 

WHO is if for?

Anyone who wants to take an active role in saving our planet. Everyone is welcome.

We will send you an information pack that includes a kit list, local accommodation and directions/transport information when your booking is confirmed. 

WHERE

Wilder Gowbarrow is a Wilderculture project in partnership with Gowbarrow Hall Farm.

Gowbarrow Hall Farm is a family run farm on the south facing shores of Ullswater in the Lake District. The farm is under the management of Sam and Claire Beaumont, as the third generation, who are passionate about maintaining the natural beauty of the landscape and enriching the wildlife that falls within it as well as ensuring the farm can sustain itself as a business, producing high quality food. They are caring for the environment and are conscious of how farming fits within the wider global issues that our planet is facing.

Gowbarrow Hall Farm has a rich landscape history and includes fell land, ancient wood pasture, woodland and upland hay meadows and currently supports a flock of Swaledale sheep and Shorthorn cattle.

Project led by Caroline Grindrod, Wilderculture C.I.C, will be working with the family at Gowbarrow Hall Farm to use a ‘Wilderculture approach’ for managing the land.

Wilderculture is a hybrid of ‘rewilding’ and regenerative farming – applied using the Holistic Management framework – that restores nature and landscape function, but just as importantly, contributes significantly to sustainable nutrition security and farm profitability by producing high quality 100% grass fed meats and game.

We hope you will join us. CAROLINE