Why we created the Goytree recognition stays
For more than twenty years, Matt and I have worked across climate, environmental and community development spaces. Again and again, we’ve seen how much essential work is carried by people who rarely seek recognition. Often under-resourced, often unseen, and almost always driven by care rather than credit.
Using The Goytree to support environmental and community work
Now that we run The Goytree, a small collection of handcrafted, off-grid treehouses and yurts on the Herefordshire–Welsh border, we’re exploring how this business and this land can support that wider work. One way is by using our platform and community to help people feel seen, and by offering our accommodation as a genuine way of giving something back.
Gifting stays to people showing up for people and planet
In early 2026, we’ll be gifting four Goytree stays to people doing meaningful environmental and community-focused work. These stays are not prizes for being exceptional. They are gestures of gratitude and acknowledgement for showing up, often over long periods of time, for people, land and planet.
The people being recognised here
The people below are being recognised as a simple but powerful statement. Your work matters. We see you. Their contributions span food systems, land stewardship, mental health, community organising, creativity, care and climate action. Some are well known. Many work behind the scenes. All are part of a much wider web of people trying to do thoughtful, values-led work in challenging times.
Growing a community of care and connection
This feels like the beginning of something for us. Beyond these stays, we’re interested in how Goytree can grow into a place of connection for people doing this kind of work. A place where stories are shared, relationships are built, and ideas can take root over time. If you want to stay in touch as we develop these ideas future – join our community here.
With thanks to everyone involved
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who made a nomination, and to everyone taking part by recognising someone else. What you’re reading here is just a small glimpse of a much larger community of care. We hope it encourages you to pause, notice, and celebrate the people shaping a more hopeful future.
Alex is an ecologist, journalist, author and environmental campaigner whose work has shaped public understanding of ecology, wildlife and environmental responsibility for more than 25 years. Through freelance journalism, Alex has brought evidence-based reporting on nature, biodiversity and environmental change to wide and diverse audiences. Alongside her media work, she has written children’s ecology books and delivered workshops on wildlife and environmental literacy, supporting people of all ages to build deeper, more informed relationships with the natural world. Her contribution also includes long-standing involvement with organisations such as the Bristol Naturalists’ Society, where she serves as a trustee, and advocacy work supporting species protection and media ecoliteracy.
What stood out to us at The Goytree is both the breadth and the consistency of Alex’s commitment. She has combined, ecology, journalism, education, grassroots organising and international campaigning with remarkable persistence, including co-founding the global Plastic Attack movement and leading ecology and public engagement for the Flowers in Their Footsteps project in Bristol. Her work has reached far beyond any single platform or place, while remaining grounded in care, integrity and a belief in the power of environmental literacy. This shortlist recognises not only the scale of Alex’s contribution, but the courage and steadiness required to keep showing up for environmental truth over decades.
Babs is co-founder of Better Nature Ecotherapy CIC, a pioneering organisation working at the intersection of mental health, nature connection and environmental behaviour change. Through therapeutic nature-based programmes, Babs supports people experiencing anxiety, depression and isolation while fostering reciprocal relationships with the natural world. A particularly powerful aspect of this work is its integration into health systems. Better Nature acts as a bridge between medical practices and green social prescribing opportunities, supporting people who may be struggling even to leave their homes to gently reconnect with nature and community. Many participants go on to volunteer, engage in environmental projects or adopt more sustainable lifestyles.
What stood out to us is the scalability and care embedded in this work. As Better Nature moves toward national expansion, it demonstrates how wellbeing and environmental action can reinforce one another rather than compete. Matt’s own experience developing nature-based wellbeing programmes makes this work feel especially resonant. This shortlist recognition celebrates the innovation, compassion and persistence behind this work. It reflects the future we believe in: one where healing people and healing land are inseparable.
Cat has been a driving force in the UK reuse movement for many years, dedicating her work to reducing waste, strengthening communities and reshaping how people think about consumption. Through her leadership as a co-founder of Freegle and hands-on initiatives such as the Brighton Free Shop, Cat has helped make reuse visible, practical and accessible, showing what circular systems can look like in everyday life. Alongside this, she has led national media outreach for Freegle, extending its reach far beyond what funding alone could enable and helping reuse become part of mainstream conversation.
What stood out to us at The Goytree is the steadiness and depth of Cat’s commitment. This is not a role she steps into occasionally; it is a way of living that permeates how she shows up for people and planet. Her work has supported countless individuals to rethink waste, sharing and mutual support at a time when community resilience matters deeply. This shortlist recognition honours the creativity, care and persistence required to sustain values-led environmental work over the long term, much of it unseen, underfunded and essential.
Celeste Lewis is Head of Sustainability at Holistic Hoarding CIC, a Welsh social enterprise working at the intersection of mental health, housing and environmental sustainability. Her work has played a part in preventing 86 people from losing their homes in the last year alone while diverting large volumes of materials (140 tonnes per year) from landfill into community reuse. Celeste’s contribution goes beyond operational success. She has led on and embedded circular economy principles at every level of the organisation, creating a redistribution hub, educational programmes and partnerships that model how care for people and planet can be integrated. Her work has influenced commissioners, funders and schools, extending impact far beyond immediate services.
What stood out to us is how seamlessly care for people and planet are woven together in this work. Celeste’s approach reflects our own belief that sustainability can be innovative and hopeful. Her leadership demonstrates this using a deeply human approach.
Dominique has dedicated years to helping people of colour reconnect with the outdoors and build meaningful relationships with nature. Her work directly supports access to nature for all, supporting confidence, well-being and environmental stewardship within communities who have not always felt welcome in outdoor spaces. By fostering curiosity and care, Dominique’s work helps cultivate long-term relationships with land and place.
What stood out to us is Dominique’s ability to bring people together and seed new leadership. Many participants she has supported have gone on to lead walks, form their own walking communities, and engage in projects that strengthen local connection to nature, extending the impact of her work far beyond individual sessions. This shortlist recognition reflects our belief that environmental futures must be rooted in belonging and access for all.
Ed’s work spans multiple grassroots campaigns protecting commons, parks and public access to nature. Through voluntary roles with groups such as Guardians of Whitewebbs and Friends of Clapham Common, Ed has supported legal challenges, research, fundraising and community mobilisation. His work is collaborative and connective. Ed brings people together across campaigns, sharing knowledge, strategy and support, often stepping in wherever momentum is needed. From fundraising and media engagement to research and policy advocacy, his contribution strengthens the capacity of community-led environmental action.
What resonated with us at The Goytree is Ed’s willingness to reshape his own path in response to the climate crisis, choosing work that felt urgently necessary. That willingness to adapt one’s life in service of wider ecological good reflects deep integrity. This shortlist recognition celebrates Ed’s care for shared natural spaces and the communities that depend on them.
Hamish is co-founder of Middle Ground Growers, an organic veg project delivering produce to local households by bike, and project lead for We Are Avon, a community initiative focused on restoring the Avon river valley. His journey along the River Avon brought hundreds of people into relationship with their local waterways, encouraging them to become guardians of specific stretches of river and take collective responsibility for their care. His work weaves together food, environmental conservation and community into a shared vision of local stewardship.
What resonated with us at The Goytree is Hamish’s relational approach. Through storytelling, public engagement and collective action, he helps people form lasting connections with the places they live. Food and land are central to our own values, and we recognise the physical and emotional demands of sustaining such work. His work reflects the belief that regeneration happens through everyday participation, care and shared responsibility.
hannah mishan
Hannah plays a vital role in organising grassroots climate campaigning, particularly within Bristol-based movements. Much of her work happens behind the scenes: coordinating volunteers, organising meetings and creating the conditions that allow collective action to take place. These invisible roles are often the backbone of effective movements, yet rarely receive recognition.
What stood out to us was how strongly others recognised Hannah’s commitment. Those around her speak of the personal sacrifices she makes and the energy she continues to give, even during periods of exhaustion. This shortlist recognition acknowledges the care, coordination and persistence that underpin meaningful environmental action, and honours the people who keep movements alive long after public attention moves on.
joe howlett
Joe’s environmental contribution is rooted in integrity and personal courage. His commitment to climate action through peaceful protest has required profound personal sacrifice. He chose to put planetary wellbeing ahead of his own personal security, facing serious legal consequences as a result. During this period, he demonstrated remarkable resilience and compassion, using his time in prison to support others through teaching and dialogue. That ability to turn adversity into an opportunity for positive connection speaks powerfully to his character.
What resonated with us at The Goytree is Joe’s humility and humanity. His story reflects the often unseen costs carried by those who stand up for environmental truth, and the importance of spaces that allow people to regroup and reconnect with themselves. This shortlist recognition acknowledges the courage required to act with conscience and reminds us that sustaining environmental action means caring for the people behind it.
Kai’s work brings together climate action, creativity and collective voice. As a conductor, composer and organiser within the Climate Choir Movement, Kai helps people come together to sing in protest, hope and solidarity. Through choirs throughout the UK and internationally, this work transforms climate concern into shared emotional expression and visible public presence.
What makes Kai’s contribution distinctive is its ripple effect. The Climate Choir Movement has inspired similar initiatives across the UK and internationally, showing how collective creativity can sustain movements and nurture courage. At The Goytree, we were drawn to how closely this work aligns with our values: community, expression, and connection as foundations for long-term change. This shortlist recognition celebrates Kai’s role in helping people feel less alone in facing the climate crisis.
Kate MacDonald is founder of the Frome Valley Growing Project, a community-led permaculture initiative bringing people together to grow food, learn skills and care for local land. Since its beginnings, the project has grown into a hub for workshops, volunteer days, school engagement and seasonal events, all rooted in biodiversity and community wellbeing. Kate’s work is deeply relational, creating spaces where people can reconnect with food, land and one another through shared, practical action.
Alongside this, Kate is a Director of the Frome Valley Environmental Network CiC, an active organisation supporting positive action for climate and nature across the local area. Through initiatives such as intergenerational Repair Cafes, tree and meadow planting on common land and green travel campaigning, this work helps turn care into collective action. What stood out to us is the breadth of responsibility Kate holds with steadiness and generosity. This shortlist recognition honours her long-term commitment to nurturing connection between people, place and possibility.
Laura’s work through Shift Bristol embodies the kind of practical, hopeful response the climate and ecological emergency demands. As co-founder and Creative Director, Laura helps people develop hands-on skills rooted in permaculture, ecology and systems thinking, empowering people to respond creatively and collectively to environmental challenges. What distinguishes Laura’s contribution is her ability to inspire grounded action. Through practical education, mentorship and facilitation, she supports people to feel capable, connected and resourced and able to tackle the environmental and climate challenges we face. This work builds long-term resilience by strengthening relationships, confidence and shared purpose.
What distinguishes Laura’s contribution is her ability to inspire grounded action. She creates spaces where people feel capable, connected and supported to make meaningful change. At The Goytree, we see deep alignment with our mission to incubate change-makers and support regeneration through community skill-building. This shortlist recognition honours Laura’s steady leadership and the care she offers so generously to others.
Liz is a central figure within Stump Up For Trees, a grassroots organisation working to plant and nurture trees across the local landscape. In both paid and voluntary roles, Liz coordinates volunteers, is instrumental to the work at the nurseries, supports planting programmes and shares her growing knowledge generously with others. She dedicates her time to nursery projects such as cultivating nutritious compost, planting seeds and growing them into strong saplings ready to be planted on the hillsides, ensuring their best chance of survival. She brings her creative vision, passion and affinity with trees to the organisation and she feels very privileged to be part of something so nourishing to the local community and the planet. Her work directly supports biodiversity, climate resilience and long-term land stewardship.
What stood out to us is how indispensable Liz is to the organisation’s everyday life. She consistently goes beyond formal expectations, bringing patience, skill and deep care to work that unfolds slowly and demands constant attention. Living and working on this land ourselves, we see the impact of this kind of dedication firsthand. This shortlist recognition honours Liz’s persistence and the vital role people like her play in restoring landscapes over time.
Lucy’s work addresses the climate and ecological emergency through sustained engagement with agroforestry, sustainable agriculture and nature-based solutions. Her career spans international and UK contexts, including several years working with smallholder farmers in Burundi, supporting food security alongside improved soil health and land management.
Now working at Tree Aid, Lucy continues to support landscape restoration projects that integrate biodiversity protection with strengthened livelihoods. What resonated with us at The Goytree is her grounded, relational approach. Having worked in similar contexts ourselves, we recognise the care and long-term thinking required to create change that genuinely serves both people and ecosystems. This shortlist recognition acknowledges Lucy’s steady leadership and the depth of human care embedded in her work.