- Posted on June 5th, 2025
World Environment Day 2025
For this year’s World Environment Day, we invited the JB team to take a moment to reflect on places and spaces of nature that mean the most to them, such as the parks, coastlines, forests, and green corners that bring joy, calm, and connection to the world around us.
Whether it’s a local spot for a lunchtime walk or a landscape that holds a special memory, each photo and reflection below offers a glimpse into the personal relationships we all have with our environment. From city greenspaces to remote getaways, we hope this small celebration of nature inspires you to think about the places you love and why they matter.
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
“This is the ocean and ocean swimming pool where I grew up – no matter the water or time of day/year, a swim would always make me feel so much calmer and grateful to be alive!!”
– Tenaya King (Climate Change and Sustainability Specialist)
Hollingbury Woods, Brighton, England
“This is near my house in Brighton. I walk here several days a week with my dog, and I love the feeling of being in nature so quickly (this is urban woodland) and hearing the birds singing, sometimes I even hear woodpeckers tapping away on dead trees. The woods have recently been heavily cleared because of Elm Disease, but the young trees are growing back through spring a little, and local groups are planting new trees. I love the sense of immersion in the woods and getting away from the hum of urban living.”
– Vicky Sword-Daniels (Arts Council England Programme Lead)
Yorkshire Dales, England
“The Yorkshire Dales were my childhood holiday spot. I am still struck by the beauty of the landscape and love hiking the fells, following the rivers and exploring the woodlands.”
– Danielle Pipe (Sustainability Coordinator – Creative Green team)
South Lebanon
“My village in South Lebanon awaits its residents to return and repair, but the attacks don’t allow for much respite.
I miss it deeply, and grieve the destruction of its infrastructures, our houses, fields and wildlife. What is white phosphorus? Who awoke to invent it into bombs? This composition that so burns and poisons this land of ours.
Here is land. Olive trees and streams. Once borderless paths winding into Palestine.
A few weeks ago, our lead environmentalist, earth and animal protector was killed. He never abandoned those who needed him most, teaching the rest of us what is possible.”
– Taghrid Choucair-Vizoso (Head of Programmes)
South East London, England
“I chose this tiny alleyway between some roads near my house in South East London. It’s full of birds, insects, and plant medicines (often considered “weeds”) – nettles, brambles, wild garlic, three cornered leek, elderflower, alkanet, apples, and cleavers. I love this space because it shows how nature persists, and when you connect to the land it feeds us and keeps us healthy. It’s a foraging dream, and also a reminder that access to clean, safe food, medicine, and land is deeply political; this is the heart of climate justice. We have a responsibility to fight for it all over the world.”
– Farah Ahmed (Climate Justice Lead)
Cradley, West Midlands, England
“When developers come to fell trees and destroy habitats where wildlife and wildflowers thrive, we don’t have to sit back and watch it happen.
This small oasis in Cradley, Halesowen sits in the middle of a built up residential area. It’s a spot I like to visit with my mum. It was saved by the local community, with support from the Liberal Councillor and Friends of Colley Gate, who petitioned to protect the land. I’m proud to say my mum was part of that. Since then, residents have planted wildflowers, herbs and even a Christmas tree.
It’s now reserved as a place for peace and connection. Whether that’s sharing a cuppa with a friend, celebrating or spending a quiet moment with the birds and the bees.
On World Environment Day, let’s not forget the small urban oases that make a big difference. For humans, and for all more-than-human life.
These are the places worth fighting for.”
– Hannah Graham (Arts Council England Programme Manager)
Kent, England
“This is a picture from my Grandad’s garden in Kent. I spent my childhood years sitting amongst the flowers looking for insects with my younger brother, and in the springtime, watching the flower buds emerge from the soil, the fish and frogs in the pond waking up from their winter rest, and feeling the long awaited warmth from the sun on my back. Now returning to the same space 20 years on, it takes me back to special memories of being present with nature, noticing the small things, and feeling at one with the garden.”
– Grace Redmond (Environmental Coordinator)
Reading, England
“Day-to-day sustained devotion and the pleasure of simple things: my garden feels like a balm that grounds me and connects me with plants, flowers, and insects.”
– Graciela Melitsko Thornton (Creative Green Consultancy Programme Lead)
Pembrokeshire, Wales
“I’ve walked this stretch of the Pembrokeshire coast path too many times to count. Fond family adventures as both a child and adult. There’s something about the fresh salty air and wealth of wildlife here that gently resets me. Choughs, mountain ponies, peregrine falcons and seal pups all nestle within the rugged landscape. Even on a wet and wild day this rocky shore has an energy and beauty that can cut through anything.”
– Sarah Leech (Social Media Manager)
Svanemølle Beach, Copenhagen, Denmark
“Svanemølle Beach isn’t just a place to swim. It’s a vital escape right here in the city. We all need a personal doorway out of the digital world that can often trap us.
Being able to dive into clean ocean water all year round, even in the winter if I’m feeling brave, is remarkable. It’s not just a swim, but an opportunity to connect with nature at the heart of Copenhagen.”
– Paul Griffiths (Digital Lead)
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