Joel Scott-Halkes

“I grew up in one of the most beautiful places in Britain: Cornwall. My childhood was punctuated with family difficulties and I spent painful periods in foster care separated from them. My refuge was taking river trips, sea swimming and walking in Cornwall’s rare temperate rainforests. I thought everywhere in the world must have such abundant natural places. Sadly, I realised I was wrong. Most of them had been deeply damaged or destroyed. I worked in the film industry for a few years trying desperately to become “successful”, whatever that means! Eventually, my desire to protect the beauty of where I grew up and help restore nature elsewhere caught up with me. In 2018 I quit my job and devoted myself full time to activism instead.”