Growing up at the foot of the mountain, he enjoys the vast landscapes and breathtaking views that the land has to offer. Living abroad has given him many opportunities to explore the world and different cultures, including permaculture, as well as a deep respect for the land and a connection to it. Gradually, this grew into the realization that this was his calling - to be a guardian of the land.

The connection between ecosystem participants is something he is truly passionate about—as is the question of how the human species fits into this beautiful dance of life. The quiet cooperation and enduring persistence of wildlife inspire him deeply. For the past 16 years, he has been literally knee-deep in the garden—watching, listening, digging, planting, cultivating, and understanding what it means to be part of a system that has stood the test of time; a system that enriches itself with each successive cycle; a system for which maintaining immeasurable biodiversity is a natural standard.

“After travelling the world, I realised that the most direct action that everyone can benefit from is planting food forests and sharing knowledge about them. I created my first food forest when I was 22. Fourteen years later, the forest is thriving and it is truly inspiring to see how the once lifeless field is now teeming with life. Small mammals, a herd of deer nibbling on hazelnuts, ant colonies ‘growing’ umbrella mushrooms, hedgehogs feeding on snakes and lizards, an abundance of birds and insects chasing each other in the large-scale, silent dance of life. We all need more polycultural agroforestry systems that support wildlife and biodiversity.”