Other Ways to Walk

Other Ways to Walk is a project by artist and wellbeing practitioner Rachel Howfield Massey exploring the benefits of nature connection and creativity. The project started in 2016 and has included lots of collaborations and discoveries along the way, including partnerships with scientists, writers and performers, a medical herbalist, bushcraft and tracking experts, local authorities, NHS, health and social care providers and all the myriad of  interesting walkers I met along the way.

I particularly enjoyed one interaction with a dog walker, who was so curious about what I was doing she zig-zagged around me for some time before plucking up the courage to ask. I was sniffing oak trees. Apparently badgers can tell the difference between one oak tree and another from its smell and I was wondering if I could do the same. I couldn't.