I recently produced a short film that premiered at Porthtowan Local Ocean Film Festival. Like a knot that ties together multiple threads of thought, it is first and foremost a celebration of the local landscape and the absolute joy that it brings to me and to so many people in our community.

It also puts a spotlight on what it is to feel intimately connected to a place. Being able to anticipate its cyclical changes, knowing the territories of its creatures or how the ocean transforms our coastline on any given tide. In affording it attention, we become anchored, enriched and synchronised with the natural world around us. This in turn, enriches our environment, in making us it's stewards and protectors.

The restoration of nature can at times feel overwhelming. A problem bigger than us and growing. Racing. Urgent. Stressful. It makes me want to close a lid on it. Languish in inactivity, telling myself 'what difference will it make anyway.' But, I also force myself to remember that if I say nothing, do nothing, change nothing, then who will? And where does that leave my son?

To set aside 30% of our planet for nature by 2030, we need to find ways to share space. Consciously welcoming nature in and finding joy in living alongside it. As individuals and a collective, we need to prioritise nature from the outset in all our actions - building, renovating, infrastructure, gardening, shopping, business - rather than relegating it to an afterthought or token gesture.

Staying constantly engaged and inspired to sustained and positive action sometimes feel like a battle. Yet, here in a once environmentally degraded corner of one of Europe's most nature depleted countries, nature has reclaimed space and thrived. And that brings me so much hope. Hope that I want to share.

I came to the ocean from seeking out wild experiences in far-flung places: South America, Africa, Australia. I grew up in the Midlands, probably as far from the sea as possible in the UK, but once I'd lived beside the ocean I couldn't imagine life any other way.

This short was produced without technical background, but simply in the spirit of someone that takes joy in coastal environments and wants to capture and share their magic. A lot of the footage was shot handheld on the windy cliff tops and you’ll see there is a rawness from that.

I hope the film provides an extra nudge to really notice the world around you, find and deepen your own natural connection, share it with your family and ultimately motivate you to set aside physical space on your property and in your community to witness the web of wildlife and find fulfilment in your part in that. And when life gets heavy, I hope it inspires you to find renewed energy in this once-ruined land we call home.

We need nature and nature needs us. I really hope the film resonates with you.