The Green Londoner had a wonderful chat with Mariana Martins, founder of From Seed, about gardening, biodiversity, forest school, and the power of helping Londoners reconnect with nature and one another.
The Green Londoner: What inspired you to start From Seed, and how does it help people connect with gardening?
Mariana Martins: I’ve always wanted to have a real impact on the world. It may sound cliché, but growing up surrounded by bad news — the climate crisis, economic instability, and a growing sense of disconnection — I felt an urgent need to create something different. I wanted to help build a world that inspires hope.
I’m not here to fix everything, but I do believe that by reconnecting with nature, we can rediscover something we’ve lost: community resilience. A world where we not only protect the environment, but also learn from it — and, in doing so, come closer to one another. That feels quite rare today.
From Seed is more than a gardening group, a team away day, or a forest school. We create experiences that help people reconnect with nature, with themselves, and with their communities. Nature is deeply healing — even in an urban setting — and I want to make that connection accessible to everyone.
TGL: How do the principles of People, Planet, and Fair Share show up in your work in London?
Mariana Martins: Everything I do is rooted in building community. We’ve created a thriving network of volunteers — the “Keen Beans.” Our gardening sessions aren’t just about growing food. They’re about learning nature conservation, designing spaces that support both people and biodiversity, and building meaningful relationships.
Our three-part model ensures that people and the planet are cared for, while resources are redistributed in a circular way through partnerships with corporate organisations.
At From Seed, we run an active community garden, we’re launching a forest school in the coming weeks, and we host team away days, corporate retreats, and workshops. Our corporate work helps sustain our impact locally and supports the transformation of underused spaces into thriving green areas.
TGL: Your seed bank sounds amazing — how does it help boost biodiversity in the city?
Mariana Martins: Right now, our seed bank helps preserve the biodiversity that already exists within London’s plant life. It’s also a powerful tool for raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and encouraging people — sometimes for the first time — to grow something themselves.
A biodiverse city isn’t just greener; it’s more resilient, self-sustaining, and full of life.
My journey with seed saving began at IMAP (the Mesoamerican Institute of Permaculture), where I learned from teachers deeply committed to preserving history and culture through seeds. Rooted in the traditions of the Mayan Kaqchikel people, their work supports local farmers and regenerative practices aligned with their relationship to the land.
They planted a seed in me that I’ve carried back to Europe — and continue to plant wherever I go.
Saving seeds is an act of resistance. It honours history, protects biodiversity, and preserves knowledge. It’s one of the oldest practices of land stewardship — and one that must be protected and shared.
TGL: Urban hikes are a brilliant way to explore nature in the city — do you see them as a way to connect people to biodiversity?
Mariana Martins: Absolutely. These hikes serve multiple purposes: they help people discover hidden green spaces in London, introduce them to local biodiversity, and foster a deeper appreciation for urban nature.
They’re also a way to give back. These walks support our fundraising efforts for a children’s horticulture programme and forest school sessions for ages 4–13.
On a personal level, I created these hikes to step outside my own routine. I love Islington, but like many of us, I tend to stay within familiar areas. These walks encourage curiosity, exploration, and connection — and they’re a lot of fun too.
TGL: Your Snowdonia retreat sounded incredible — how did it help people reconnect with nature?
Mariana Martins: Islington has one of the lowest levels of green space per person in the UK. After sharing my own hiking experiences, a volunteer once asked to join me — and that’s when I realised how strong the need was for immersive nature experiences, especially for people who rarely leave the city.
The Snowdonia retreat was designed to be deeply restorative. We stayed on a biodynamic farm, enjoyed farm-to-table meals, and hiked with expert mountain guides who helped us connect with the landscape in a meaningful way. We also practised yin yoga to support recovery after long hikes.
It was about stepping away from daily routines and reconnecting with something more instinctive — our bond with the natural world.
TGL: You’ve travelled extensively — what have you brought back that shapes your work in London?
Mariana Martins: The biggest inspiration has been the people I’ve met.
My journey began in the care sector, working closely with individuals with diverse needs. That experience shaped my belief in true inclusivity. For me, inclusivity isn’t a box to tick — it’s a principle embedded in everything, including garden design.
Every programme I create is a co-creation between myself, the land, and the people involved. Through forest school training, I’ve deepened my understanding of a key principle: design must be learner-led.
This aligns closely with my design thinking approach, and it’s something I continue to explore. I recently completed my Forest School Leader training with Richard Skrein and Kinship in Nature, and I see learning as a lifelong journey.
Wherever I go, I meet incredible teachers — and I allow those experiences to shape both my work and my perspective.
TGL: What’s the best way for people to get involved or start making a difference?
Mariana Martins: Become an active participant. Community, nature, and society only thrive when people take part.
I know it can be hard to know where to begin — and that’s exactly why I started From Seed. Sometimes, all you need to do is show up.
Join an event, share an idea, collaborate on a workshop, create something — anything is a great start.
We run a range of monthly events that are open to everyone. And if you have a skill, passion, or idea you’d like to share, let’s collaborate — From Seed is all about collective learning.
Beyond that, just start where you are. Join a community garden, volunteer, pick up litter, or simply be kind.
We don’t need a handful of perfect environmentalists. We need millions of people doing what they can — however imperfectly.
Say hello to a neighbour. Call a friend. Offer help where it’s needed. These small actions, over time, can be truly transformative.
Contact & upcoming events
- Instagram: @mariana.treehugger
- From Seed: @fromseedwegrow
Upcoming events:
- Community garden sessions
11 April & 25 April, 10am–12pm
St. James Church, N1 8PH - Earth Day screening
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wilding-docunight-in-for-earth-day-tickets-1985866578394?aff=oddtdtcreator - Forest school waiting list
https://forms.gle/bMFmHsQVS5LENXZu9 - Summer forest school gathering (Portugal)
https://forms.gle/fYW7qRJBn1Cb3z1NA
