Aged just 24, Matty is passionate about communicating the benefits of connecting with nature, and in particular, spreading the word regarding the powerful role it can play in helping people improve their emotional health and wellbeing. In addition, Matty has been actively involved in various conservation / environmental projects and is currently training to become a Forest Therapy Guide.
Matty suffered life changing injuries whilst on a conservation trip in Tenerife back in March 2023 but, despite the challenges that lie ahead, Matty remains positive about the future and is now more determined than ever to promote the extensive benefits of being close to nature for everyone, including those with physical and mental health impairments.
Matty will be working with Creating Nature’s Corridors founder, Vhari Russell, to raise awareness of the charity’s work and to identify potential new planting sites / tree guardians to progress the charity’s rewilding activity.
Commenting on the appointment, Vhari says, “We’re delighted to be working with Matty, whose enthusiasm for nature is second to none. It is wonderful to see a young person display such commitment to our shared cause and we are excited to see where our combined interest in promoting the benefits of nature will take us. Matty’s courage, determination and resilience in the face of adversity certainly sets him apart and we are looking forward to seeing how Matty’s Forest Therapy business, titled JoeWild (https://linktr.ee/Mattyhorkan) and Creating Nature’s Corridors can join forces to create improved inclusive access to forestry / woodland sites. JoeWild is a tribute to Matty’s late brother who tragically died at the age of 12 so Matty and I have also travelled down the same road in terms of grief being the driving force behind setting up our nature-based initiatives. This type of personal motivation is especially potent, we both wish to honour our late brothers and create a legacy to commemorate their lives.”
