Natural Water and Me

---

Natural Water is a small independent consultancy and brand that embodies my passion for the natural world and, in particular, its interaction with water. Its purpose is to naturalise and value both our water-based ecosystems and our relationship with water. We offer consultancy, creative direction and action to apply nature-based solutions to socio-environmental challenges by building ecosystem resilience, improving habitat condition and supporting regeneration for nature and people.

Who am I?

I'm Gillian Branson.  

I am an independent environmental consultant specialising in water cycle ecology, river ecosystems, river corridors for nature and climate resilience (river buffers that make space for water), catchment science and nature-based solutions for water-related challenges, on land and in water. I also hope to help regenerate the relationship between people, nature and water.

I have worked in environmental assessment and improvement for 25 years (in the public, private and third sectors) as an aquatic ecologist, water scientist, eco-engineer, project manager and director and I am a Chartered Environmentalist. I have assessed the impact of many infrastructure schemes, designed ways to protect and support nature amongst the persistent onset of construction, development and concrete, studied the intimacies of nature and natural science and tried to help others do the same. 

I’m also a wife and mum, very conscious of our planet legacy through our children, always striving for self-improvement, to creatively overcome challenges and to obtain a yield from my efforts, my garden and my life. 

Why Natural Water?

Water is the key to our very existence on this planet and to all life on Earth.

The results of our disconnection with water have been visible for a long time and align with the suggestion that we are somehow separate to nature and can use it for our own ends for as long as we want to. Nature has been seen for too long as a collection of mere commodities, resources, business opportunities or even problems to be pushed away, as if it is all there just for us to use and control. We are separated from our drinking water supply by the simplicity of a tap, from our food by the lack of space, skills, soil, nutrients and water needed to grow our own food, and from our waste by the flush of a toilet or the well coordinated organisation of rubbish collections. As soon as we no longer see it then it has gone from our minds. Then after a while it becomes an expectation that someone will provide you with perfect drinking water and that it's your right to have your waste removed. But these are clear signs that Homo sapiens have forgotten who they are and where they are. They have forgotten where their water comes from, at least in 'the West' where they do not have to walk far with a large tank to collect poor quality water. They cannot see how little water there is or how to preserve or share it. Their focus instead is on gaining money, buying 'stuff' (the newer the better), competing with others and seeking privilege, rather than gaining connection and support from, and for, the natural world and our living communities that help us live our best lives.

Now this is not all people, but the effect of human lifestyles and expectations overall is having a real and lasting impact on the planet and its ability to sustain life. The extremes of climate change are becoming more common across the globe and are showing very clearly how critically susceptible we all are to changes in the holistic health of our one planet. With our current behaviour and approaches, we are not at all resilient to natural environmental variations, even without the onset of climate change, itself accelerated by our relatively artificial lives and disconnection from natural ecosystem function. Personally, I am learning to make conscious informed nature-based choices and to understand and accept why I make those choices, their good and bad sides. I know some of those choices might take me some time or effort to change. But those choices will help me to reduce my environmental footprint further and to connect more closely with the natural world around me. I hope to work with communities and industry to achieve the same.

My aim for Natural Water is to focus on assessing, protecting and regenerating the health and resilience of water-based ecosystems. Natural Water will integrate our lives with the water cycle rather than segregating ourselves from it. This will be on a small or large scale with individuals, communities and industry alike. We will design nature-based solutions to reduce impacts on the water cycle, creating multiple benefits for all involved. This encompasses the whole river catchment where rain falls and flows through and over land, soil and buildings (rural and urban); following water as it gathers in headwater streams, giving life as it transitions through rivers to estuary and into the sea.

But it is not about me. You are all part of a fantastic community that can work with me to make a difference. You all influence my story, and everyone else's story, by giving us hope and a sense of community sharing an aim. You can engage in learning, making changes, sharing your experiences and learning even more, helping others understand, trying something that improves your connection with the natural water cycle and supporting those around you doing the same. Your young family are part of our shared future and other people aren't going to repair it for you. Let's learn together how to live well with water and the natural world.

Thank you so much for being part of this community. 

I can't make much of a dent in it alone. You are all part of a energised community that can work with me to make a difference.  

There are plenty of ways that you can become more involved with Natural Water: 

* Keep up to date with my blog

* Follow Natural Water on Twitter or me on Linked-In

* Offer skills or connections that can help

* Tell me about great work going on out there on any of the topics we offer so I can publicise it across the growing network

* Send me writing to contribute to my blog

* Get involved in any citizen science projects in the future advertised on our website 

* Subscribe to my quarterly newsletter

Most of all, be aware of your natural environment and think about the impact of each of your choices.

🌱🌍💧🌳🌿🌦