A few weeks ago, I took part in an ultra walking challenge along the Jurassic Coast.
It was a personal challenge through a landscape that I remember as a child; 34km of countryside, steep hills and wonderful sea views. As I walked, the sea stretched endlessly beside me. The path wound through landscapes shaped over millions of years. The hills and cliffs were equal parts exhausting and wonderous.
As I walked, I took photos to capture the moments that were both excrutiating and satisfying once they were over. I also started to think about how I could experience more of this. As hard as the walk was at times, I realised that I want to explore more, walk more, for my health and fitness but also for the connection to nature that I realised I was missing.
When I got home, I started researching how I can explore my local area more and what walks were around my home county of Wiltshire. I had been training in the same area of Salisbury Plain for the past 3 months so I fancied looking further afield. Another reason for doing this was to plan some days out with my partner’s children – we want to do things on a budget and maybe limit our carbon footprint a little too.
Personally, I’m more than a little passionate about eco-friendly living and sustainability. In a nutshell, in my everyday life I aim to:
Use less. Buy less. Waste less.
But, what if living sustainably isn’t only about reducing our impact? What if it’s also about deepening our connection to the places around us? What if the connection to nature is the missing piece that might allow us to really start caring about the world around us?
That walk along the Jurassic Coast reminded me of something important. The places we care about are the places we are most likely to protect. When we spend time outdoors, discover local landscapes and build a relationship with the natural world, sustainability stops feeling like a list of rules and starts feeling like something much more meaningful.
That idea became the inspiration for my 52 week challenge: exploring my local area.
A Year of Nature, Place & Local Adventure
Over the next year, I’m setting myself a challenge.
Rather than constantly looking further afield for inspiration, I want to spend a year exploring the landscapes, wildlife, communities and outdoor experiences that exist closer to home.
For me, “local” doesn’t necessarily mean my immediate neighbourhood.
Instead, it means slowing down and paying attention to the places that are often overlooked in favour of distant destinations. Most of my adventures will take place within around 40 miles of my home near Salisbury, Wiltshire. I will also stray slightly further afield into South West England. Always with a focus on nature, responsible travel and meaningful experiences outdoors.
Throughout the year, I’ll be sharing:
- Nature walks and wildlife encounters
- Local adventures and day trips
- Sustainable travel experiences
- Seasonal observations from the natural world
- Hidden gems and lesser-known places
- Reflections on what it means to connect more deeply with place
Some adventures will be ambitious.
Others may simply be a walk through a woodland, a visit to a nature reserve or an afternoon exploring somewhere new.
Because adventure doesn’t always require travelling far from home.
Why Local Adventure Matters
One of the most sustainable journeys is often the one we actually take.
We live in a culture that frequently celebrates the extraordinary while overlooking the everyday. Social media can make it seem as though meaningful travel requires boarding a plane or ticking destinations off a bucket list.
Yet some of the most memorable experiences I’ve had have been much closer to home.
The Jurassic Coast reminded me that incredible landscapes can exist just a few hours away. Places rich in history, wildlife and natural beauty don’t have to be on the other side of the world.
Exploring locally can reduce travel emissions, support regional economies and encourage us to spend more time outdoors. But perhaps more importantly, it helps us develop a sense of connection.
When we know a place, we begin to notice it.
We notice seasonal changes, wildlife returning, wildflowers emerging and the subtle differences between one landscape and another.
And when we notice these things, we start to care.
Join the Journey
If you’d like to follow along, you can subscribe to Nature Notes, my monthly field journal where I’ll share reflections, discoveries and observations from the challenge.
Whether you’re interested in nature, sustainable travel, local exploration or simply spending more time outdoors, I hope this project inspires you to discover something new a little closer to home.
After all, sometimes the most meaningful adventures are the ones waiting just beyond our doorstep.
Welcome to The Green Kind.