Ali Clarke

Ali is a gentle and intuitive person, her calming presence and tone quickly put you at ease, allowing you to leave the everyday behind and experience the healing power of nature and the magic that happens when you slow down, unplug and connect in a meaningful way. 

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Being caring,  compassionate and wanting to make a difference in the world led younger Ali straight to social work. Ali has been a social worker for about 19 years.
 

Through this path Ali has worked with the most amazing children and families. But the job comes with stresses, and it taken a toll on her mental health.
 

Ali found connecting to nature played a significant role in recovering from burn out (alongside rest, meds, therapy, support, nutrition and exercise). Ali is passionate about nature connection, and loves creating different ways to connect to the rest of the natural world.

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Ali adores holding space for others to let go and be present. She especially enjoys holding space for people who care or hold space for others: Caring for the carers, whatever role that might take. 
 

Ever the adventurous spirit and lifelong lover of nature, Ali began to delve into holistic and nature based practices and philosophy which led her to forest bathing, mindfulness and circle facilitation. It quickly became evident that this was a new calling and Solstice Nature Connections was born. Combining her love of the summer solstice, nature and the interconnectedness. 

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Ali is playful and creative and loves making things inspired by the natural world. She uses art and creativity as alchemy, turning despair into joy, hope and a tool of resistance.
 

Ali enjoys the complexity, queerness and freedom in nature. She cares deeply about the natural world and the humans that are part of it. The thread of sacred activism is weaved through both Solstice Nature Connection and the Bonobo brand.

Hugo Hughes

Hugo’s lifelong love of nature first led him into garden design — but over time, his focus shifted. As his understanding of nature deepened he was drawn towards ecology and the urgent need to work with nature, not just around it.

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He has recently joined an ecological consultancy following the completion of an MSc in Conservation Biology at the University of Derby and he is looking forward to embarking on his career journey alongside SNC.  

Hugo has undertaken research in Costa Rica, studying mushrooms in tropical ecosystems and research on bats and birds in Allestree Park, focusing on the vital habitat provided by Veteran and Ancient Oak Trees.

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Hugo is especially interested in habitat management, rewilding, nature based solutions, heritage crafts and indigenous based knowledge.