Mindfulness, deep ecology and forest restoration in Fernbrook, NSW, Australia

Infos

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  Description

  we are embarking on our project - creating a refuge for both people and nature in the cool uplands of NSW’s mid-north coast, near the beautiful little town of Dorrigo. In March 2025 we became custodians of a 140 beautiful acres, including remnant old-growth rainforest with spring-fed streams, waterfalls and walking trails, a working permaculture farm with orchards, a food forest and vegetable gardens.
  
  Our dream is to create is a place where mindfulness, meditation, deep ecology, and forest restoration come together. We’re protecting and reconnecting rainforest habitat while creating space for meditation retreats, nature connection programs, and regenerative agriculture. Our land is also home to endangered species including Koalas and Giant Barred Frogs.
  
  I’m a Buddhist monk ordained in the Sakya Tibetan tradition with training and experience in the Plum Village and Burmese Forest Traditions. My background before that was a research scientist in the field of ecology and climate change impacts. I have a life-long interest in martial arts and embodied movement including yoga. I facilitate wilderness silent walking and meditation retreats, yoga and qi-gong practice, and lead our online eco-dharma sangha, as well as developing our farm and rainforest nursery. My mother Bev is co-founder, a keen organic gardener, farmer and bush regenerator, and now a shepherdess also, since we have ten beautiful Leicester x Romney sheep that help us keep the pastures nicely cropped, and produce beautiful soft brown craft wool for spinning and weaving.
  
  The name of our place in Tibetan is "Tan ma Ling" - which as well as being a translation of "Place of the Earth Goddess", means "Island of stability". We’re a small, developing Buddhist community - we're passionate about creating a refuge in these times of climate crisis and social upheaval. We would love to welcome practitioners from Theravada, Zen, and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, as well as anyone genuinely interested in meditation, yoga, mindfulness, deep ecology or nature connection. To find out more you can search for our website - ask us for the link :)

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Bénévolat

  Pratique d’une langue

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Aide informatique/internet
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Ferme

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Écriture

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Livres

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Photographie

  

  Langues

  

  Animaux

  

  Cyclisme

  

  Randonnée

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Camping

  

  Fitness

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / bien-être
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  We have an evening sitting meditation as part of the rhythm of our community life. there may be yoga and qi gong practice instruction available for those interested. We also have weekly Buddhist teachings and dharma talks. You can learn about rainforest ecology, especially bird and plant identification, plant propagation, deep ecology and nature connection. There is plenty of opportunity for bushwalking in spectacular Gondwanan rainforest. We are only 15 minutes from Dorrigo with a beautiful local market, cafes, shops, film nights and other social and cultural activities, and only 40 minutes from Bellingen, with lots more of the above. Coffs Harbour and Armidale are only about 90 minutes away. You can reach us via public transport (buses and trains) to Urunga or Armidale station, and then a local shuttle to Dorrigo, or we can meet you at the station :)

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  Aide

  We need help with:
  
  building projects: Natural timber and earth building, carpentry, joinery etc.
  Farm work: Permaculture garden and orchard maintenance, planting, pruning, harvesting, sheep and chicken etc.
  General property maintenance: weeding, lawn mowing etc.
  Domestic/home tasks: cooking, cleaning etc.
  Forest restoration: Trail maintenance, weed management, native plant propagation etc.
  
  We’re looking for people who are:
  
  Respectful of Buddhist practice and comfortable living in a Buddhist community
  Happy with quiet, contemplative environments and regular meditation practice
  Comfortable working outdoors in warm temperate rainforest conditions
  Independent and able to work without constant supervision
  Genuinely interested in nature connection and ecological restoration
  Comfortable with simple living

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Portugais: Courant
  Chinois (mandarin): Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Tenzin and Bev speak English. Tenzin also speaks French, Spanish and Portuguese fluently, and is happy to have the practice. He is also wishing to learn Chinese, and would love to have opportunity to learn more!
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  Hébergement

  Accommodation: We can offer simple but comfortable accommodation in a caravan or camping trailer (your private space)
  
  Toilets and laundry facilities are in our shared space, as is the kitchen and meditation space, but you can make tea and prepare snacks in the caravan.
  
  Food: You can expect simple, wholesome and tasty vegetarian meals, shared cooking and eating (communal meals are important part of community life): Breakfast is self service in the shared kitchen, lunch is a shared communal meal, and dinner is self service, we usually observe the Yogic/Buddhist practice of just a light evening meal.

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  Autres infos...

  We are only 15 minutes from Dorrigo township (cafes, shops) Internet is available in the dwellings. We have hours of rainforest trails on our land, and are also close to Dorrigo, New England, Guy Fawkes, Cathedral rock and Nymboi-binderai National Park with lots to do and see. We have swimming holes and waterfalls, and the possibility to see wallabies, koalas, many species of rainforest birds, reptiles and frogs, and possums and gliders at night.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  We have decent wifi access, and mobile reception at our place. we don't yet have a dedicated co-working space, but wifi is available in the shared space.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  We currently have flat parking for a small to medium sized campervan, very large campers, buses or caravans would be trickier.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Mes animaux

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