Gina Maffey
“Allowing a piece of ‘wildness’ into your life doesn’t have to be grand and compelling.”
Gina Maffey is a writer, speaker and weaver. She speaks from ecology, anthropology, astronomy and her personal story of reconnecting with nature. She advocates ‘human rewilding’ in our society.
Gina grows up in Warwickshire, England, on a farm. For a long time, she wants to become a veterinarian, but then applies for theater school. Although she loves theater life and the stage, she does not see a future for herself as an actress. In the end, it is her passion for animals and nature that makes her take another path.
This passion evokes in her a desire to learn more about the theory of the “natural world” and the human relationship to it. Gina therefore first goes on to study Zoology, Ecology and Environmental Sustainability and later obtains her PhD in Environmental Science at the University of Aberdeen, where she also conducts research work.
“Where theory meets practice creates a unique opportunity to revitalize nature.”
The disciplines of ecology, anthropology and astronomy are intertwined with her career, as is her talent for making research findings accessible and palpable to a wide audience. Consequently, she works in communication roles for several nature-oriented organizations, including as Science Communication Officer for the European Research Institute for Radio Astronomy.
Together with her husband, she conducts research and communication work in South America, after which they travel – as much as possible by land – to Canada. From one national park to another. After this adventure, they decide to settle in his motherland: the Netherlands. But they miss living in the middle of nature and living between four walls feels uncomfortable, to say the least. So they decide to spend a year living outside in the Netherlands as well, through all seasons. They call it their “Wild Year. And the outdoors is still part of the family’s living situation, to which two little children have been added in the meantime.
Gina also comes in contact with a new (and at the same time ancient) occupation; basket weaving. Not only is it the ultimate relaxation and way to slow down, in this craft she discovers the parallel with the relationship between man and nature – a poetic analogy.
“I have studied nature, lived outside for a year and walked countless paths to better understand relationships between humans and nature. It turns out that they exist in an extraordinary, boundless fabric.”
In 2021, Gina founds Green Roots, her own research communications firm and is a co-founder of Astronomers for Planet Earth and a fellow at “The Bio-leadership project,” among others. Everything she does comes together in her stories, with a touch of poetry.
Gina Maffey is a writer, speaker and weaver. She speaks from ecology, anthropology, astronomy and her personal story of reconnecting with nature. She advocates ‘human rewilding’ in our society. Gina grows up in Warwickshire, England, on a farm. For a long time, she wants to become a veterinarian, but then applies for theater school. Although she loves theater life and the stage, she does not see View more…
"I imagine a woven basket, with willow branches moving smoothly from inside to outside. This is also how we are connected to nature."
"I want to be able to look my children in the eye and sincerely say I did or tried everything I could."
Facts and stories
In 2014, Gina Maffey leaves for Cuiabá, Brazil, where she and her husband are doing research and communication work. What she finds here will be burned into her retina forever. As amazed as she is by the Pantanel – a wetland area the size of France, and an oasis of biodiversity – she is left perplexed and defeated after her visit to the adjacent area: the Cerrado. A higher area that was also once full of life, but now consists of thousands of miles of monoculture arable land, built primarily for soybean plantations, intended for intensive cattle ranching and industry.
“The size we in Europe cannot even grasp with our brains. You have to imagine that you could see the horizon, but not where the fields ended. The dramatic thing was that there were plenty of pesticides used here, which flowed right into the Pantanel during the rainy season, destroying the rich life there. Fortunately, much good work has been done in Brazil in the last 3 years, but it is still burned into my mind.”
Sometime later, Gina is presenting data on the state of the environment and climate to students at Wageningen University during a lecture. As the slides are shown behind her, she watches the faces in the room, at least hoping for a worried look. But nothing happens, and she realizes:
“These young people are growing up in this, this is their future, but the facts don’t impress them anymore.”
It fuels her fire to make an even greater commitment to good communication around research, by telling stories that make people feel the heaviness of the situation, but at the same time are hopeful. She wants to encourage people to restore their disconnection with nature, because it may be damaged, but it is not irreparable.
“An anthropologist once said: the current relationship between humans and nature is like two boxes. One box contains us humans, the other nature. Occasionally we make forays into the ‘nature box,’ but do not see ourselves as part of it. I prefer to imagine a woven basket, whose willow branches move smoothly in a pattern from inside to outside. This is also how we are originally intertwined with nature.”
It’s symbolic of the adventurous life Gina and her family lead, but according to her, you don’t have to make big changes at all to connect with nature.
“All you have to do is open the door and step outside; with no goal, just be in the moment and see where it leads. Allowing a bit of ‘wildness’ into your life doesn’t have to be grand and compelling.”
Book Gina Maffey as a speaker for your event?
Would you like to book Joris as a speaker for your event? Ask about the possibilities and her availability.
Why invite Gina Maffey as a speaker for your event?
1. Head
Gina’s stories and insights are always grounded in knowledge and scientific research, made understandable and palpable to a wide audience.
2. Hands
From the highlands of Scotland to Brazilian wetlands and the lowlands (the Netherlands), Gina has had her ‘feet in the mud’ in a variety of ways. Chapters about their “Wild Year,” the year they lived outdoors, are included in the books “Routledge Handbook of Rewilding,” “Rewilding in the Netherlands” and “Wild Year.
3. Heart
Gina’s purpose consists of a web spun of admiration and love for the splendor of nature. To this she dedicates herself with heart and soul.
4. Empowering
Gina loves to speak for women for whom nature (and adventure) also calls, but who have not yet dared to surrender to it. She loves to inspire them to also “rewild” and find their own voice.
Calm
Feel at one with nature. Being in nature has been proven to improve your state of mind and make you feel calmer. Gina invites you to slow down and step out of the rat race of your modern life.
1. Head
Gina’s stories and insights are always grounded in knowledge and scientific research, made understandable and palpable to a wide audience.
2. Hands
From the highlands of Scotland to Brazilian wetlands and the lowlands (the Netherlands), Gina has had her ‘feet in the mud’ in a variety of ways. Chapters about their “Wild Year,” the year they lived outdoors, are included in the books “Routledge Handbook of Rewilding,” “Rewilding in the Netherlands” and “Wild Year.
3. Heart
Gina’s purpose consists of a web spun of admiration and love for the splendor of nature. To this she dedicates herself with heart and soul.
4. Empowering
Gina loves to speak for women for whom nature (and adventure) also calls, but who have not yet dared to surrender to it. She loves to inspire them to also “rewild” and find their own voice.
Calm
Feel at one with nature. Being in nature has been proven to improve your state of mind and make you feel calmer. Gina invites you to slow down and step out of the rat race of your modern life.
Keynotes
Would you like to book Gina as (keynote) speaker for a conference, lecture or event? Below you will find a selection of keynotes. Custom program? Ask for the possibilities.
Weaving a greener world
A practical approach to how we experience nature
In her interactive presentation, Gina invites you to further explore your relationship with the natural world. Using metaphors surrounding basket weaving, the craft Gina herself practices, she shares her practical approaches to how we as humanity experience nature. Excerpts from her own work and that of philosophers and anthropologists will be presented, with opportunity for participants to also share and explore their own ideas for a greener world.
A voice for nature
How can you use storytelling as a researcher?
Research can be a powerful tool, but data often fails to capture the imagination of a broad range of people. As a researcher, how can you find your voice, make it heard, and thereby give nature a voice? Gina shares with you her experiences in research communication and shows you the power of storytelling. What stories are hidden in your research project? In this interactive lecture, you will discover them and learn to harness them.
Wild Year
A year of living outdoors in Dutch nature.
After spending quite some time in the most beautiful nature, in South America and Canada among others, Gina and her husband struggled with life in the ‘modern world’ in the Netherlands. To still be close to work, family and friends, they decided to live outside for a year, to experience whether ‘rewilding’ is possible in the Netherlands as well. It was. 397 days, four seasons, they lived and slept outside, in connection with nature. In this inspiring lecture, Gina takes you through their adventures and life.
Rewilding the Night
Why we need to protect ‘the night’.
In a world where nature must conform to man’s whims and 24-hour economy, “the night” is an endangered phenomenon. Our connection to the dark has been disrupted, which – partly due to light pollution – affects many species, including insect populations. This also affects human health and livelihoods. In this lecture, Gina explains substantively why we need to protect the night. A highly relevant topic for policy makers and anyone concerned with land use planning.
Women in Nature
Overcoming fears and experiencing deep connection
Going into nature alone offers a profound opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. It can help you push personal boundaries, overcome fears, increase your self-confidence and experience a deep connection with nature. “I think many women are afraid to be alone in nature for fear of failure. Whereas it can be so ’empowering’ when you do.” In this presentation or workshop, Gina invites you to push your limits and (re)find your connection with nature.
Weaving a greener world
A practical approach to how we experience nature
In her interactive presentation, Gina invites you to further explore your relationship with the natural world. Using metaphors surrounding basket weaving, the craft Gina herself practices, she shares her practical approaches to how we as humanity experience nature. Excerpts from her own work and that of philosophers and anthropologists will be presented, with opportunity for participants to also share and explore their own ideas for a greener world.
A voice for nature
How can you use storytelling as a researcher?
Research can be a powerful tool, but data often fails to capture the imagination of a broad range of people. As a researcher, how can you find your voice, make it heard, and thereby give nature a voice? Gina shares with you her experiences in research communication and shows you the power of storytelling. What stories are hidden in your research project? In this interactive lecture, you will discover them and learn to harness them.
Wild Year
A year of living outdoors in Dutch nature.
After spending quite some time in the most beautiful nature, in South America and Canada among others, Gina and her husband struggled with life in the ‘modern world’ in the Netherlands. To still be close to work, family and friends, they decided to live outside for a year, to experience whether ‘rewilding’ is possible in the Netherlands as well. It was. 397 days, four seasons, they lived and slept outside, in connection with nature. In this inspiring lecture, Gina takes you through their adventures and life.
Rewilding the Night
Why we need to protect ‘the night’.
In a world where nature must conform to man’s whims and 24-hour economy, “the night” is an endangered phenomenon. Our connection to the dark has been disrupted, which – partly due to light pollution – affects many species, including insect populations. This also affects human health and livelihoods. In this lecture, Gina explains substantively why we need to protect the night. A highly relevant topic for policy makers and anyone concerned with land use planning.
Women in Nature
Overcoming fears and experiencing deep connection
Going into nature alone offers a profound opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. It can help you push personal boundaries, overcome fears, increase your self-confidence and experience a deep connection with nature. “I think many women are afraid to be alone in nature for fear of failure. Whereas it can be so ’empowering’ when you do.” In this presentation or workshop, Gina invites you to push your limits and (re)find your connection with nature.
Five questions for Gina Maffey
What do you mean by "human rewilding"?
“With rewilding, people often immediately think of survival, bushcrafting or living in a cabin, cut off from civilization. That doesn’t have to be the case at all. Modern developments have also brought mankind a lot and we should certainly not forget that. Think of health care, for example. At the same time, what it brings us and what it costs us, nature, the planet, are not in balance. We make decisions entirely based on human voices and potential. As far as I am concerned, nature should be part of decision-making. That’s ‘human rewilding’ to the extreme.”
For Good: What does "good" mean to you?
“I remember one time I had my father on the phone sincerely asking, ‘how are you?” and I sighed hopelessly and said “what to do with the world. Especially when I was pregnant, negative news about the environment, for example, came in hard. Eventually, my connection with nature allowed me to see the positive forces in the world as well, and my part in them. Now I believe that if I can look my children in the eye and say that I did or tried everything I could, then to me that is ‘good.'”
Walk the talk: how are you of worth?
“I know the adventure stories I tell inspire people, but what I hope is that that allows them to see what they can do themselves. That they understand that they don’t have to go to the other side of the world or even get in the car to do this. Adding a little “wildness” to your routines and patterns every day is already so satisfying. It can be as simple as stepping outside with your child without a plan and following him, see what catches his attention. Children have found a new little adventure in no time.”
Do you have an example or inspiration of your own?
“All the women who make their voices heard, because there are so many women who doubt themselves unfairly. I agree with the poet Mary Oliver, who said ”When Death Comes,” “I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.”
What makes you happy?
“The feeling of living outdoors, being one with nature has taken root in our hearts. We are therefore now building a Wild Year 2.0. version. A private ‘rewilded’ house on a piece of land where we want to bring back biodiversity and be in touch with nature. For example, the kitchen will be half indoors, half outdoors and offers the possibility of sleeping outside. We miss that very much; being woken up by the birds and the rising sun.”
What do you mean by "human rewilding"?
“With rewilding, people often immediately think of survival, bushcrafting or living in a cabin, cut off from civilization. That doesn’t have to be the case at all. Modern developments have also brought mankind a lot and we should certainly not forget that. Think of health care, for example. At the same time, what it brings us and what it costs us, nature, the planet, are not in balance. We make decisions entirely based on human voices and potential. As far as I am concerned, nature should be part of decision-making. That’s ‘human rewilding’ to the extreme.”
For Good: What does "good" mean to you?
“I remember one time I had my father on the phone sincerely asking, ‘how are you?” and I sighed hopelessly and said “what to do with the world. Especially when I was pregnant, negative news about the environment, for example, came in hard. Eventually, my connection with nature allowed me to see the positive forces in the world as well, and my part in them. Now I believe that if I can look my children in the eye and say that I did or tried everything I could, then to me that is ‘good.'”
Walk the talk: how are you of worth?
“I know the adventure stories I tell inspire people, but what I hope is that that allows them to see what they can do themselves. That they understand that they don’t have to go to the other side of the world or even get in the car to do this. Adding a little “wildness” to your routines and patterns every day is already so satisfying. It can be as simple as stepping outside with your child without a plan and following him, see what catches his attention. Children have found a new little adventure in no time.”
Do you have an example or inspiration of your own?
“All the women who make their voices heard, because there are so many women who doubt themselves unfairly. I agree with the poet Mary Oliver, who said ”When Death Comes,” “I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.”
What makes you happy?
“The feeling of living outdoors, being one with nature has taken root in our hearts. We are therefore now building a Wild Year 2.0. version. A private ‘rewilded’ house on a piece of land where we want to bring back biodiversity and be in touch with nature. For example, the kitchen will be half indoors, half outdoors and offers the possibility of sleeping outside. We miss that very much; being woken up by the birds and the rising sun.”
TEDx Wageningen University - Learning to rewild
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Planetary Health and the story of Gina
A selection of companies that Gina Maffey already had impactful collaborations with….
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“A captivating story teller, Gina effortlessly wove connections between science, music and human relationships while taking the audience on a stellar journey. I am happy to have seen Gina work her magic and translate my vision into a cherished memory.” – Amanda Schut, Programme manager
Radboud Universiteit -
“Gina hosted a wonderful and intimate talk and workshop in which academic insights, proza, poetry and weaving were beautifully brought together. By bringing words and actions together, Gina managed to touch not only our heads, but especially our hearts. Her contribution to our festival will always stay with me.” – Tomás van Gorp, programmamaker
Artis Aardbewoners Festival -
Gina Maffey gives weaving workshops to students at Wageningen University. It inspires the students and gives them clarity about their place in the world.
Wageningen Universiteit
