We exist to inspire a global movement of nature advocates
who stand beside all life
through creativity, collaboration, and care.

What if every one of us chose a being from the natural world to stand beside?
To champion and celebrate ?

What being would you choose?

Could be any one of the myriad unseen, unheard and unsung heroes
from our miraculous Web-of-Life.

Could even be a natural entity like a river or mountain.

Medicinal Leech

A rare freshwater leech that feeds on the blood of mammals and amphibians, now protected due to habitat loss and declining populations.

Alpine Blue Sowthistle

A tall, blue-flowered mountain plant once used in traditional Sami cooking, now endangered in the UK due to habitat loss.

Ghost Orchid

A leafless, chlorophyll-free orchid that mysteriously appears only in certain years, surviving underground by feeding on fungi.

European Hedgehog

A nocturnal, spiny mammal found in woodlands and gardens, facing steep declines due to habitat destruction, pesticides, and road traffic.

Hazel Gloves Fungus

A rare, finger-like fungus found in ancient hazel woodlands, a key indicator of healthy temperate rainforests.

Bechstein’s Bat

One of Britain’s rarest bats, living in old woodlands and hunting insects with whisper-quiet echolocation, threatened by forest loss.

(a selection of IUCN Redlist threatened species from the United Kingdom)

More About Choosing

The Challenge

We hardly need to go over the mess we’re in, do we?
You’re probably painfully aware of our accelerating impacts on the natural world…
BUT if you want a reminder, or to find out more, click here.

However, we do need to say something about this challenge:

It seems…
We’ve forgotten we’re part of the Web-of-Life.
We’ve forgotten that all beings are sacred,
And it seems (at least collectively) that we’ve somehow lost our humanity.

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift”.

– Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

Our Solution

So let’s focus on telling a new* story…

Where there is familiarity, connection, empathy, and respect ,
love can grow.
And where there is love there is care.
With love we don’t need pleas, incentives, or laws to care.
We simply care because, given half a chance,
that’s what people do.

So a group of us got together and we started this little project:
‘I Stand Beside’
(and we hope it will become our BIG project!)

It starts with a simple idea.
Here it is again…

What if we all chose to stand beside another being?

Showing support could be as simple as wearing a badge or a t-shirt. If you join now we’ll post you a free badge with an image of your choice.

Perhaps you could turn up at a Council meeting to speak on their behalf? Check out our Early Adopters’ Gallery to see some of the beautiful ways people are acting as champions.

Each to their ability and desire. Maybe painting a picture, or writing a story or even composing a song?
We can all find unique ways – big or small – to celebrate and advocate for these awesome beings.

More About Standing Beside

If we get this right – the idea will spread,
and with it respect and care for the other beings we share this beautiful Earth with.
Maybe then we’d have a more positive impact on our home?

That would be great, wouldn’t it?!

And that’s it…in a nutshell!

What We’re Planning To Do

ISB is a work in progress… so please bear with us!

Call to Action

We Invite You Now to Stand Beside!

…you’ll receive

Free lifetime membership with no obligations.
A place forever on our exclusive ‘Early Adopters Gallery’.
A free badge of your chosen being,
More perks TBD e.g. Free VIP tickets to events.
Our heartfelt gratitude because as an ‘Early Adopter’ your presence will not only enrich this movement and help spread the word but also greatly assist us in securing the funding we need to fully develop our platform, to grow and to launch ISB to a global audience.

If You Can Please…

Share a few words about yourself and why you chose your being.
Offer an artwork or other creative piece that reflects this connection or celebrates this being.
Give us permission to share your creative offerings
(see T&Cs).
Spread the word in your networks.
Share a link to your own website or portfolio, and a relevant conservation- or celebration website.

You can change your mind about ‘your’ being at any time;
‘a reason or a season’ is fine – doesnt’ have to be a lifelong comitment.

You don’t have to be an amazing artist / poet either – although we believe there’s a creative side to us all 🙂
Maybe now is a good time to release your inner Van Gogh!

Neither do you have to be a full=time advocate or conservationist.
Simply wearing a badge and learning a bit about your being has a unique and subtle power 🙂