Organisation Deep Time Nature Walk Braeside Park

Hi,

My name is Natalie Rivers.

For over 18 years, I have worked tirelessly in social change, health, and community development to overcome inequities in systems and services, as a nurse in community engagement, research, design, and social entrepreneurship. This year, my focus in my work has been on deepening my relationships, care, and connections with community and country.

Throughout this time, I have witnessed the gaps in our approach in organisations that impact our outcomes. Most of the work is designed in a way that leaves teams with no choice but to do "the best we can" with limited resources and time, which demand quick transactional outcomes—often working against best practice approaches.

Organisations are well aware of their role in social, health, and environmental outcomes, and no matter the industry, they are mandated to ensure they are working towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainable outcomes. One of the greatest challenges to overcome is changing the culture of how we work, how we set up the work, and what we think a successful outcome is. There is a key responsibility and accountability to report back to decision-makers, focusing on the "bottom line."

We face these challenges together, trying to understand what we need to do and embed to make better decisions, set up the work differently to balance organisational needs for financial sustainability, as well as social and environmental impact. Millions of dollars each year are spent on consultants, strategy, and transformation, with the same challenges faced year after year. The persistence of these problems shows a need to focus on a different approach.

"But first, let's walk. Then... we can solve all the problems from the right place." - Natalie Rivers

When these problems challenge our teams every day, people working towards change can become burnt out and start to feel helpless, reducing their ability to bring their best selves to work and diminishing satisfaction and well-being in the workplace. This exhaustion often leads to a return to old bad habits and a lack of motivation to continue doing the right thing. People may feel guilt, shame, and a lack of self-worth and agency. If they continue to "push through," they often do it on their own time, outside of work, while worrying and holding the burden of the lack of change.

I understand this feeling all too well and have worked with teams and organisations struggling with these exact challenges. After many years in this space, I know in my heart that the first step in our change towards social impact is working on our own connections and relationships, building deeper ties with each other and our country. This transformational shift, when taken back into our work environments, builds better leaders, advocates, and decision-makers who realise we need to work differently to achieve different outcomes. We must take our roles, responsibilities, and custodianship into our workplaces as agents of change.

Deep Time Walks are evidence-based walks designed to support participants in gaining a deeper connection to the story of Earth's creation, as well as to ourselves and each other. This grounding and immersive experience will help organisational leaders and team members build a better understanding and more comfort in change, along with confidence in navigating the complexities that arise when trying to improve. Just like the story of Earth's creation—birth, death, transformation, and overcoming overwhelming challenges—deep time walkers will be able to reflect on this narrative and relate it to their roles in the context of their workplace.

Coming from consulting and working in research and design, I believe wholeheartedly that this is the first step for any organisation or team before investing in any consultant or strategic advisory service. Before any investment is made, strategy, decision, or direction, supporting your team and the people of the organisation to engage in their work from a place of care for people and the planet—with ongoing reflection—is crucial. Transformation starts through genuine embodiment and alignment of purpose towards positive impact. Deep Time Walks also facilitate reflection on the impact of Earth's story, colonisation, and the history of human evolution, planting the seed for long-term projects, generational approaches, and work done with care, intent, and purpose.

Deep Time Walks are my offering to the world.

Deep Time Walks are evidence-based walks created by Stephen Harding and Sergio Maraschin. After participating in the walk myself, I knew I had been part of an experience like no other — a complete embodiment of time, connection, and perspective that completely shifted how I view my relationship with our home planet and the people on it. This transformation led me to become a facilitator, bringing this gift to my local community and organisations working towards social impact — Braeside Park, Victoria. Deep Time Walks are evidence-based, allowing participants to gain an enhanced perception of our planet's ancientness, filled with awe and wonder, perceptual impact, and connection, fostering a greater understanding of consequence, active hope, and motivation to be part of personal and political change. Access the Journal of Sustainability Education Published Journal of evidence of effectiveness of Deep Time Walks.

Practical Details:

• 3-hour guided walk
• All-weather event
• Optional pairing with a buddy
• Guided reflection and sharing
• Bring your own water, snacks, and personal first aid

On The Day:

• Meet at Red Gum Car Park
• Gather in circle to meet other Deep Time Walkers
• Optional pair-up with fellow Deep Time Walker
• Walk loop 4.6km, each meter representing 1 million years
• There will be "Earth Stops" where facilitator will share a story of Earths Creation
• Facilitator will share a reflective question in context of organisations and teams
• Together in your pairs you will walk and reflect
• Half way a break for toilets/snacks/water
• Continue walk
• Arrive back where we started
• Gather in circle to reflect with other Deep Time Walkers
• Finish
• Optional post-walk reflection (for additional fee)

About Facilitator:

I am an experienced facilitator who upholds nursing standards, a code of conduct, and a code of ethics to ensure all participants feel comfortable engaging. I am a trauma-informed practitioner with experience in designing and facilitating experiences that value people feeling safe and being able to be in a space where they can be honest, open, and have the choice to engage — or not. I aim for the walks to be accessible for all abilities and invite participants to share any accessibility needs. I will endeavor to make the necessary adjustments. I hope that through Deep Time Walks, I can help people build conscious connections with others navigating similar challenges and yearning for deeper relationships. I am also a narrative practitioner, completing training at Dulwich Centre. I incorporate this practice into my walks to facilitate sharing stories.

I run Deep Time Walks as my 'gift to the world' and not as an entity or business. Organisation walks are valued at $175.00 per person. You can attend this event for free; however, to keep the walks sustainable, I ask that if you can afford it, you pay what you can. This is considered a donation, not a fee for service, to support the sustainability of the walks. As this is not run as a business, I do not hold insurance. By registering, you agree that I will not hold any responsibility for your attendance. 

Last but not least, there are no refunds for the events. 

Agreement to Engage:

By attending, you agree to bring your full self to the event and to help support the creation of a space where people can feel safe. You will also do your own assessment of whether you are fit and able to attend. I plan to run Deep Time Walks monthly during Spring, Summer, and Autumn; however, I will take a break during Deep Winter, which I use for my own self-reconnection and reflection.

Post-Walk Reflections:

If you are interested in organising a Post Walk Reflection with your team email natalie.daphne.rivers@gmail.com.