FIELD NOTES | Sarah Parent: How a Single Hunch Can Grow a Forest
The founder of Go Forest on transforming climate anxiety into tangible, world-changing action.
"Most people tend to direct their vision outward, to what's on the surface
—thus comprehending only the tip of the iceberg"
Sometimes we need to get lost in order to calm and find ourselves. Wild forests can be the perfect place to start. Little do we know or talk about the brilliance beneath our feet; the fruits these magical systems offer. It's when you dig deeper, another connection unfolds—like rediscovering a new you. Most people tend to direct their vision outward; to what is on the surface—thus comprehending only the tip of the iceberg.
Underground lies a complex nervous system called mycelium, where trees as humans interact, share knowledge and survival. In addition, they communicate with our body cells, ridding cancer and all sorts of diseases. Nonetheless, their significance remains discarded by its "ally."
To better grasp why we should protect and grow this family, I suggest taking a look at Diana Bereford's book: To Speak for the Trees—which led me to understand nature's complexity, and connect with Sarah Parent: a climate activist that fights for trees around the globe.
"From childhood, I nurtured a strong sense of righteousness. Those being bullied on the playground, I would defend," Sarah tells, "the climate crisis is another victim of inequality I seek to protect—so by 2020, Go Forest was born."
More than planting trees with impact, it is about reconnecting people with nature. The era of materialism has spoiled us with such comfort that we lost track of simplicity and wonder, found in the wild. In this century, defining problems such as: anxiety, stress and depression are calling for a new type of welfare—one that ventures outdoors to win back its capacity for awe.
Sarah's journey shines a light on our shadowland. For readers' sake, let us lead by example and foster an economy where humans and nature harmonise once again.
With Sarah I believe we can bring back ecosystems that will define the quality of our lives. Today, nearly half a million trees are due to her efforts across Madagascar, Congo, Peru and other highly affected regions. You decide how green your future will be, the level of ecological boredom when all that is wild fades away.
Tracing Sarah's Journey
This dream of a greener, richer and rawer world for everyone has forged an iron mindset—one capable of doing the impossible. Upon my first encounter, I had the slightest idea of Sarah's willpower. To me, she is on a path of self-discovery, closer to fulfilling something greater than herself. Surrounded by mass distraction, it illuminates inner wisdom; the kind of trust that everything will work out in the end.
Yet, when we near certain milestones, another challenge presents. One's pursuit for a dream may overexcite or disappoint at times. From Sarah I learn we should stay mindful of our health when giving back—with in particular the mind, body and soul. Only so can one compound its efforts, and one day reap the rewards of long-term dedication.
Recently, I put myself to the test: for one week under a strict regime, I practiced forest walks, breath work and meditation. After nine months, the results were remarkable. It made me question lifelong habits, and how self-regulating one can be when out of balance. A study on Wim Hof ("the iceman") points into similar directions, enforcing my belief that physical/mental health can amplify one's intuition, and empower faster and better decisions. Sarah stresses, "if you aspire to be entrepreneurial, it comes down to taking that jump. Once I caught the hunch—planting trees with impact, nothing could stop me."
Environment plays its part too. When we consider our childhood, it tends to leave traces. Sarah was raised in lush green surroundings. No matter the season, she would be outdoors, nurturing it with her hands.
At the age of twelve, she moved to the city and lost touch. Her brother had fallen seriously ill, spending most of his time in hospital with both parents. The disconnect came hard on Sarah and urged her to win back "lost love"—from the best grades at school—to anything that could make her parents proud again.
With understanding, misconceptions can be abandoned; yet, they come in different shapes. Later in life, Sarah would keep proving herself to those that did not believe in her (e.g. friends that called her incapable mastering university, and now her venture in restoring nature). "I am grateful to past and current disbelievers," Sarah says, "for they always encourage me to prove them wrong."
Today, Sarah follows another spirit, retrieving a treasure she found long ago. The authenticity in this plays a role. Think of attracting people with an atypical story just like yours. Sarah argues, "when you put like-minded dreamers together, energy starts to flow. I'm often astounded by the creativity and gratitude it brings—to the extend critics can only serve as background noise."
Inside Sarah's Mind
Facing the critics in todays' society
Critique are like weeds waiting to be removed. They may reveal opportunities or foster the market, like a tool Go Forest now develops to dismantle greenwashing. By contrast, there is vague criticism aimed at breaking moral—one you should counter if necessary.
To be or not to be, that is your brands' question
Go Forest carries a bold vision, yet treats it gently in tune with todays' market. When Sarah releases the wheel, so does her voice as an independent climate activist. It says one should not mirror its brand or become possessed by it. In turn, it allows you to protect principles over quick wins. Customers with shady agendas are shown the door by Sarah. "The more authentic I am with clients, when writing a book or a post on LinkedIn, the more I feel grounded like a tree," Sarah affirms.
Building Bridges to the Poor
We plant trees in Belgium, yet the game changer lies in third world countries; the enrichment of intact forests with precious fungi. "It is until I started Go Forest and met with a Peruvian biologist in Brussels, I began to see trees as systems to food, job creation and social inequality," Sarah says, "nationalism is the big culprit here. While 'think and act local' proves sustainable, emissions stretch further."
Many suffer our wealths' consequences. So long we ignore the beauty of one planet, it will separate us forever. Thus let us compensate the balance where needed most, restoring bridges to the poor for everyone's sake. Go Forest's technology, satellite imagery is going to map your impact in places where change, gratitude are greatest. Projects such as Madagascar opened Sarah's eyes—a fresh perspective for us to gain.
Destiny is Calling
No matter your background, change is always around the corner. "I know many people groping in the dark, hoping to catch a business idea that suits them," Sarah adds, "however life's opportunities don't always hide—sometimes they come to haunt you when the timing's just right."
"Not that long ago, I was selling ergonomic solutions to office workers until I pondered: what will make me proud one day?—and made the switch," Sarah says, "When you get to that epiphany, be prepared for a lengthy sprint."
On the outside, we notice all kinds of entrepreneurs triumphing. The back end however is one of hard and repetitive work, faking it until you make it. Random ideas seldom persist. When you do feel that overwhelming urge, don't ever look back. As Steve Jobs once put it, "you have to have a lot of passion for what you do… For if you don't, any rational person would give up."
Let's Spice Things up
Most of us want to make a difference, though tend to pass on the responsibility to someone "more appropriate." Often, Sarah receives calls and e-mails from acquaintances, asking her to deal with another world problem. I say a sort of "guilt wash" in pursuit of a careless lifestyle. You would go out, meet people boasting about stuff, successes they acquired—but what about a sense for real impact? What if we could swap these hollow talks with actionable things?
While collective plans should reach our doorstep, negative news keeps us in paralysis. It is no lie we are waiting for others to solve the trouble. Sarah is convinced that we ourselves are the change and calls on everyone to bring nature back to the streets. It will brighten up your surroundings and affect people. In the process boast about it among friends and family so it sticks.
Today Go Forest is growing into a family. Besides fighting to restore mainland, they now prepare to take on oceans also. Sarah talks about degrowth to achieve more with less. It is clear that when forces are grouped, much can be achieved with less effort. No matter the industry you are in, we all have a part to play. Sarah mentions, "the worst advice I ever got, was that it would never work. My brother taught me otherwise."
Sarah's work is the antidote to the paralysis felt when facing big problems. It transforms anxiety into action. So, my question for our community: Pick one overwhelming issue you care about. What is the smallest, most tangible "tree" you could plant this week in response?
Trust the hunch. Find the story.
Antoine
a wonderful inspiring story on a saturday morning 🙏🏻❤️