Julia Hailes MBE

Sustainability Pioneer

René Haller – an inspirational man (Dec24)

René Haller transformed a lifeless quarry into a vibrant, flourishing ecosystem. This blog explores his groundbreaking work on the Kenyan coast and how it led to the creation of the Haller Foundation. Together with René, the foundation has expanded his innovative ideas and principles, bringing them to communities around the quarry and across other parts […]

How René Haller became a Wilding Pioneer – in Africa (Dec24)

René Haller transformed the barren landscape on the Kenyan coast from quarrying to a thriving eco-system. This is the first of two blogs about him and the organisation he inspired – The Haller Foundation.  Click here for the second blog – René Haller – An Inspirational Man. THE HOUSE OF EDEN Perhaps, Renée’s extraordinary life […]

The Pantanal changed my life (Nov24)

Have you ever been to the Pantanal in Brazil? I have. It was spectacular. But it was also life-changing. It was 1983. I stood gazing over a magnificent rainforest stretching into the distance overwhelmed by how wonderful it was. I’m not religious at all but for me, this was spiritual. But then I heard the […]

Wilding Weekend – June 2024

Full steam ahead for our third Wilding Weekend. It will be on 15th and 16th June in sunny West Dorset, near Beaminster! Opening hours will be 10.30am to 4.30pm. The garden is wild. Come and have a look. We have wildflower meadows, a cascade of ponds, insect homes, a medieval walkway, a bat-egg (!), mown […]

Wilding Weekend 2024 (Apr24 Update)

Full steam ahead for our third Wilding Weekend. It will be on 15th and 16th June in sunny West Dorset, near Beaminster! Opening hours will be 10.30am to 4.30pm. The garden is wild. Come and have a look. We have wildflower meadows, a cascade of ponds, insect homes, a medieval walkway, a bat-egg (!), mown […]

Saving frogs and forests in Ghana (mar24)

Do you love frogs? You’re not alone. I love them too. Last week, I met an inspiring man – Dr Caleb Ofori-Boeteng – who has made it his life’s mission to champion the cause of frogs in Ghana. We were in London at an event organised by Rainforest Trust UK which is supporting him and his work. […]

To burn or not to burn (Mar24)

Are fires the best way of getting rid of garden waste or clearing landscapes? I believe that the answer is generally ‘no’! But garden bonfires are ubiquitous and even conservation bodies are using burning as part of their land management plans – for example burning the brash from hedge-laying or trimming and site clearance of […]

Why do scything & wilding go hand in hand (oct23)

Our scything day was joyous. Watching the scythers sweep through the grass was a totally different experience from using a ride-on mower or strimmer. And, I learned that there are multiple benefits to this approach too. For a start, it’s far better for wildlife that may be lurking in the undergrowth. Our scythers found several […]

Our Wilding Weekend Was Wonderful! (Jun23)

It was tremendously exciting to get such positive feedback from visitors to our Wilding Weekend – some were ecstatic. It wasn’t just about the wilding we’ve done – they loved meeting other like-minded people and finding out more about what wilding might mean for them. As many of you will know not everyone has the […]

COME TO OUR WILDING WEEKEND ON 17TH & 18TH OF JUNE 2023

During the weekend there will be guided tours, talks, exhibitors and stalls with information and advice about wilding, as well as things to buy. Conservation experts will show you the wildflower meadows, ponds, and grasslands identifying the insects, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that they find. Julia will be telling visitors about the challenges and successes […]