Change is in the air
Here at Encounter HQ a lot has been going on, and I’m very excited to tell you all our news. Firstly, and in response to a user suggestion, we’ve launched a new way for people to support Encounter via a ‘pay what you feel’ option that we’ll be flagging now and again in the app. If you’re enjoying using Encounter you can now contribute £3 a month, or whatever feels right to you: either as an ongoing ‘thank you’ or as a one-off. You can find more information and contribute by going here, or look out for the ‘Support us’ posts in the app. Don’t forget to add a little message for us if you do!
Also this month we’ve been thrilled to welcome Linda Clark on board as our first guest contributor. Originally from West Cumbria and now based in south Manchester, Linda will be writing about nature in the North and North-West of England. Posting nature notes and photos to Substack, she’s especially drawn to birds, hedgehogs, dragonflies and fungi, though she’s fascinated by all aspects of nature — particularly the overlooked and ‘hidden’ wildness found along canal paths. “I believe there’s beauty in the small details that many walk past. I hope to encourage others to slow down, look closer, and discover the beauty thriving right under our noses,” she says. We couldn’t agree more.
You’ll be able to see Linda’s posts if you have your location in Encounter set to a county in the North-East or North-West. We hope to welcome more guest contributors soon, and are particularly keen to hear from you if you have good nature knowledge and are based in Wales, Ireland or Scotland.
In our last newsletter we announced our partnership with Meaningful Planet, the ethical mobile network which donates 10% of its profits to nature restoration projects – and it’s been great to see that some of you have already signed up! Switching to Meaningful Planet and using the promo code ENCOUNTER10 helps you restore nature and saves you money – plus, you’ll be supporting Encounter with every call.
I don’t know about you, but I’m really feeling the natural world getting into gear again. Here in Suffolk the snowdrops are pushing up through the cold soil and opening their little white lampshades, the birdsong at sun-up gets louder every day, and the village sparrows are once again investigating my swift box. There’s more and more happening, and when spring arrives Encounter will bring you the absolute best of it. Keep checking the app and let us help you tune in to nature and the seasons. It really is such a joy.
Until next time,
Melissa
Encounter’s founder and director
Support us! 🌱
