LED BY
Nic Salazar
& Holly Marsden
STARTS MARCH 5, 2025
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Every Wednesday 19:30 GMT
Live via Zoom and Mighty Networks
+ optional hands-on tree planting sessions
at our Tree Rescue Hub in London
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T R E E S​
LIVE, ONLINE
5 WEEK COURSE ON BIODIVERSITY AND TREE-BASED ECOLOGICAL THINKING
“Since we descend from a common ancestor (the protist) it makes sense that we have evolved to be complimentary. There would be no trees without us, there would be no us without trees.” -- Nic Salazar
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Trees are the foundation of divergence and diversity on this planet. They form the basis of complex life, as they sustain oxygen and carbon levels, the water cycle and the food cycle. But do we really understand how trees behave, how they think and live?​
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This course is designed to give you an understanding of the importance of biodiversity, from the perspective of tree-based ecological thinking.​
Guardians Courses
"A transformational experience like no other"
Ana MacArthur, New York
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"We love Guardians"
Nikki Beaumont, Cambridge, UK
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"Guardians makes my week. I wake up at 3am every Wednesday to watch it live."
Maria, Auckland, New Zeland/Aotearoa
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Preparation: What is a tree?
Upon registration, you will receive a 10 page course booklet (PDF) introducing you to basic aspects of tree biology and ecology, and how these relate to biodiversity. We will also introduce you to the work of important figures in the study of tree ecology including Suzanne Simard, Peter Wohlleben, Monica Gagliano, Paco Calvo, among others, to prepare you before the start of the course. This resource contains five supplementary videos and a reading list.​
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Session 1: March 5, 2025 19:30 GMT: How do trees think?
Understanding biodiversity from a tree-based ecological thinking, with Nic Salazar​
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Session 2: March 12 2025 19;30 GMT: What is the extent of tree cover loss and tree extinction?
Biodiversity loss through tree disease and deforestation, with Nic Salazar
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Session 3: March 13, 2025 19:30 GMT
Participant-led session and reflection, led by Holly Marsden
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Session 4: March 19, 2025 19:30 GMT: How do trees reproduce?
Flowering trees: tree sexuality, reproduction and pollination, hands-on tree flower online workshop with Holly Marsden
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Session 5: March 20, 2025 19:30 GMT
Participant-led session and reflection, led by Holly Marsden
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Session 6: March 26, 2025 19:30 GMT: How do trees grow and regenerate?
Understanding seeds and saplings, how to germinate and plant, with Nic Salazar
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Session 7: April 2, 2025 19:30 BST: What does a tree mean to you?
Participant-led presentations- participants present a tree from their own community worldwide and share their story.
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Session 8: April 9, 2025 19:30 BST What can indigenous wisdoms teach us about biodiversity?
Understanding biodiversity through indigenous wisdoms, led by Guardians Worldwide
Take Action and learn how to grow your own tree!
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The course will end with a day-long practical session for those who can attend physically (recordings will be made available for those you cannot) of a tree planting workshop at the Tree Rescue Hub in Southeast London, where you will learn about The Great North Wood and the trees that grow there. ​
Our teachers on this journey are:
Nicolas Salazar Sutil
Known as the Treeman in his local area in SE London, Nic is the founder and director of Guardians Worldwide. He is a Chilean- British community builder, environmentalist, campaigner and advocate, descendant of a Mapuche indigenous great-grandmother from Puchuncavi, Central Chile and father of three.
Holly Marsden
Holly is a florist and flower expert, founder of Seaholly Flower Design, based in Lincolnshire. She is also a Researcher at Guardians Worldwide.
