Do you ever talk to trees? For some people it looks like: 🌳 leaning against a trunk to calm their mind 🫶 hugging a tree 🍂 having a quiet moment under a favourite tree 🌿 asking the forest for clarity 💨 listening to what the wind in the branches “feels like” Tree communication isn’t always about hearing words. Sometimes it’s a feeling. A knowing. A shift in your breath. A sense of being held. 🌱 Have you ever felt a connection with a tree — even once? 🌱 What was that like for you? There are no wrong answers here... just curiosity.

I put this post into our @KhemeiaValley community this morning but thought a lot of the messages are also very potent for this group also.... Yesterday I was having a great time with the kids... until I wasn't! I managed to tear all the ligaments in my ankle — a full stop I didn’t see coming. One moment I was enjoying family time and the next, everything changed. But as I sit here this morning with the pain, the frustration, and the sudden stillness, it got me thinking about a few things... 🌱 Regeneration isn’t linear. Nature doesn’t cling to its plans. A slip of weather, a fallen branch, a hungry kererū, a slide of soil… and suddenly the whole system reshapes itself, finding new pathways, new solutions, new openings for life. And we’re the same. ✨ The gold in the challenge. Sometimes these moments are the exact pause we weren’t brave enough to take. Sometimes they’re a message from something higher: “Slow down." “Re-align.” “Pay attention.” “Let yourself receive.” OK Universe, I’m not happy about it right now- but I am listening. And I’m realising there’s wisdom here that I might’ve missed if life hadn’t quite literally pulled the brakes for me. 🤝 Asking for help — and letting ourselves receive it Here’s the thing… many of us (myself included) are great at helping others, and completely terrible at letting others help us.There’s guilt, awkwardness, that little voice saying “I don’t want to be a burden.” But the truth is that community is made in these moments.The people who love us want to show up, just like we would for them in a heartbeat. So this time, I’m practising saying “yes, please” and “thank you,” and allowing the support to flow with deep gratitude — not resistance. 🛠️ Having a succession plan matters In land work, in business, in life — unexpected things happen. Having a simple “if I go down” plan is wisdom, not pessimism. Things like: - Who are the key people I can rely on? - What tasks actually matter in the next 1–2 weeks, and what can wait? - What systems keep running without me? - What can be paused, delegated, or simplified?

We have done one last big planting session - two days - five guys going hard to get all the native plants onto the bank in front of our new house before the summer weather heads our way. We wanted to get this bank covered as quickly as possible, not just for aesthetics, but to help reduce erosion and minimse all the blackberry, gorse and pampas grass that was quickly moving in. These are all native trees and have been chosen them for their specific qualities and heights as they are in front of the house. It is a much different set of criteria when we head out on the farm and choose what to plant where. Luckily, it has poured with rain all afternoon and is still going so the plants should be well watered in. Now Jarrod and I have a giant pile of mulch (it's much bigger than it looks in the photo) to spread around all the plants - our weekend plans are sorted!

🌿 Our passion for nature has always been at the core of who we are. 🔥Witnessing the global destruction of our planet sparked a fire in us to act. 🌳 We wanted to do more than just talk about change - we wanted to lead by example. 🌱 By restoring the whenua (land), we're showing our tamariki (children) that caring for nature sutures not only the environment but also our communities and ourselves. 💚 When the whenua thrives, we all thrive. What's your why?

Kia ora (hello) and welcome to our community. We are all about planting trees, building legacies, and growing together in harmony with nature. Inspired by Khemeia Valley’s values of regeneration and reciprocity, this is your space to connect with earth-lovers, share your journey, and learn about sustainable living, tree-planting, and creating lasting impact. What to Expect: - Connect: Meet others passionate about sustainability and legacy-building. - Learn: Access videos, tutorials, and tips on tree-planting and regenerative living. - Share: Tell us how you love to or want to connect with nature and inspire others. - Grow: Join live Q&As, discussions, and events to deepen your impact. We will be sharing more about our special whenua (land) Khemeia Valley and our whanau (family) in the community. 🌱 Head over to our intro post so we can learn more about your legacy and what you want to grow!