Hedge to Home

Aim: Bringing wild, seasonal foods and folklore to life through foraging walks, artisan preserves, events, and online learning.

Life is noisy and scary at the moment. So many of us are craving a slower pace, and looking for ways to spend more time in nature.

The impact of nature on mental and physical health is well-documented, but if you are new to exploring the land (or even if you are a more experienced adventurer), knowing how to get the most out of your time outdoors can sometimes feel overwhelming. 

That's where we come in...

I’m Ross — an ecologist, folklore geek, wild food guide, and occasional pub-side naturalist. If you follow me on Instagram (@rosstheecologist), you’ve probably seen my field notes, mugwort musings, and gentle encouragement to look closer at the wild edges of life. After years of being tied to the 9-5, I left the office to retrain as an ecologist. Over the years, I've loved building my knowledge and skills, but spend a lot of my time doing it alone. Access to nature is still a privilege - I believe it should be for all.

I want to build a community of like-minded people who want to learn more about how we can appreciate and protect the world around us, and share that love of nature with others.

From Hedge to Home is a new project rooted in seasonal living, wild flavour, folk knowledge, and a deep belief that slowing down and stepping outside can change lives. It’s part nature school, part wild pantry, part community space — built for anyone who feels called back to the land, even if they don’t have access to one.

Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned mushroom-botherer, this is your invitation to be part of a new kind of nature-connected culture. One that is real, local, and a little bit feral.

Here's what I want to create:

Seasonal Foraging Walks

Not your average ID walk. These are immersive, sensory-rich journeys through hedgerows and folklore. Learn 10+ plants per session with a focus on story, taste, history and medicine.

Wild Events

Think: foraged cocktail nights, hedgerow feasts, firelit folk gatherings, and solstice storytelling. Hosted with local partners in beautiful, atmospheric spaces.

Free Woodland Skills Sharing Group

A no-cost, come-as-you-are space to learn outdoor skills, meet like-minded people and connect to nature, especially for those without access to wild spaces of their own.

The Wild Pantry

Jams, vinegars, shrubs, salts — all made from foraged ingredients and seasonal bounty. Launching in time for Christmas 2025 in local shops and markets.

Online Content, Courses & Membership

Digital zines, videos, plant profiles, seasonal prompts, and future courses for the wild-curious, wherever you are.

I want to build a gathering place. A way to reclaim lost knowledge, reconnect with our ecosystems and build something joyful together.

Where do you come in?

I’m crowdfunding to launch the next phase of From Hedge to Home — and I’d love for you to be part of it. Whether you want to dip your toe in the water or plunge straight in, by joining the Hedge to Home community, you will get to feel part of something new, something real, that brings us back to how we were always supposed to be.

Pledge tiers (aka wild rewards)

• £5 – Wild Thanks - A heartfelt thanks + exclusive seasonal recipe
• £10 – Hedgerow Zine - All above + digital magazine of foraging lore and tips
• £20 – Taste of the Hedge - All above + 2x delicious foraged preserves
• £40 – The Seasonal Larder - All above + curated seasonal pantry box
• £60 – The Wild Box - All above + foraging session for 2 + 6-month Forager magazine subscription
• £120 – Wild VIP - All above + cocktail evening or feast + 12-month Forager magazine subscription
• £250 – Founding Forager - All above + a custom wild hamper + a season ticket (3 guided foraging sessions across the year)

If you believe in folk wisdom, food freedom, and the power of a nettle to shift your perspective — this is your moment to be part of something meaningful.

Thanks for reading. If this speaks to you, please share it. The more of us tending the wild edges, the better.

With muddy boots and a grateful heart,

Ross Symonds

@rosstheecologist

Founder of AtoBee Ecology

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 27th September 2025 at 4:11pm