FINDING YOURSELF IN NATURE

Meet Brenden, Partner in Conservation with WWF-Australia

From the time he was little, Brenden’s world revolved around the outdoors. Encouraged by his dad, he spent countless hours running, riding, bushwalking and camping on his block of land at South Durras near Batemans Bay, or riding across the Simpson Desert. Even the simplest moments held magic: searching for ladybugs in Dad’s veggie garden, spotting frogs after summer rain, or sitting in the gauze solarium during a thunderstorm.

“It gave me a sense of the power of nature, which was almost overwhelming, but in a humbling kind of way. It was exciting because I knew I could quickly scarper inside once it got too crazy.”

Visits to his Great Aunt’s apple orchard in Batlow added another layer to his love for living things. Her cats roamed freely, and when one had kittens, Brenden felt like their protector as they curled up on his lap. Inspired by stories like Dot and the Kangaroo, he wandered the orchard inventing tales about the creatures he saw. These experiences shaped his sense of wonder and responsibility toward the natural world.

What Nature Means to Brenden Today “For me, connecting with nature is connecting with yourself. It's very easy for me to get lost inside my own head and lose grounding; when I get like this it's almost like a feeling of anxiety and feeling ‘scattered’, it feels soulless. Having easy access to a rich and diverse natural environment helps me reset and find that deep calm that you just can't get meditating in a bedroom or doing yoga in a studio. I don't think it's a coincidence that our natural environment is declining at the same time as our social structures are also falling apart. Losing connection with nature means we lose connection with ourselves and lose connection with those who should be closest to us.” Brenden’s bond with nature goes beyond simply enjoying it—he captures its raw beauty and quiet moments through the lens of his camera. In 2023, he completed the Bay of Fires walk in Tasmania, sending us stunning wildlife photos from his journey. Over the past few years, he has generously shared photographs of some of these magical moments, giving thousands of like-minded nature lovers a glimpse into his experiences.

Brenden’s story is a powerful reminder of the deep bond between people and nature. If his words resonate with you, imagine the impact you can make by becoming a Partner in Conservation. Together, we can protect habitats, save species and ensure future generations experience the awe and beauty of the natural world.

Learn more about our Partners in Conservation community by clicking the link below.