Rewilding The Fields: A journey back to nature
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Published
Thursday 29 August
Last Updated
Thursday 29 August
We’re once again embarking on a journey to rewild The Fields, a place where nature and human creativity have long coexisted. Under the expert guidance of TK Studio, a team of landscape designers and architects, we’re working to study and reshape the landscape across a couple of pockets of land. Our shared vision is not just aimed at enhancing the viridescent beauty of the Wonderfruit site; strategic landscape design will help mitigate erosion, improve soil quality and inform future programming at Wonderfruit, taking steps toward a more resilient natural and social ecosystem.
The heart of this effort will beat strongest during a rewilding week in September 2024, when our community will join hands to plant trees. Then, during live dates, Wonderers will have an opportunity to plant another 1,000 trees, becoming a part of this renewal and investing in the future of Wonderfruit. While we are always growing with our land, this specific rewilding project spans two years, divided into two distinct phases. Phase 1 is set to be completed before Wonderfruit 2024 and includes planting a Yang Na Forest, extending the Ancestral Forest, and revitalizing the water’s edge at one of our lakes. We will also plant indigo next to our ongoing rice terraces.
These initial efforts will lay the groundwork for Phase 2, our 2025 plan, focusing on water sources. Our end goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in water management, retaining as much water as possible within The Fields. This phase will also introduce an orchard of fruit trees, a permaculture farm, extended forests and increased water storage levels.
Growing a Yang Na Forest
Central to this year’s rewilding efforts is the planting of a Yang Na Forest, a living tribute to our Mother Tree. We will plant 3,500 saplings, shaping a future where these trees grow tall and create a phenomenon known as “crown shyness,” where the tops of the trees form a canopy with channel-like gaps of light, never touching. This natural occurrence will not only be a breathtaking sight but will also provide natural shade for Wonderers.
Expanding the Ancestral Forest
Our rewilding efforts also extend to the Ancestral Forest initiated with SUGi, which will expand into Wonderness, and focus on medicinal trees and plants, each selected for their traditional Thai healing properties. Here, we’ll welcome new species wild rare-find fruit trees from the forest. These additions will not only add to the forest’s biodiversity but will also serve as a living classroom for workshops on traditional Thai medicine at Wonderfruit 2024.
By adding 2,000 more trees this year, we bring the total to nearly 23,000 trees planted at the Ancestral Forest using the Agroforestry method, creating a complete ecosystem of native trees based on the local varieties suitable for the climate.
Revitalizing the waterfront
The final component of this year’s rewilding plan is revitalizing the water’s edge at the lake that connects Wonderness with Slow Wonder, also home to Bath House and the beach at Jungle House. Through carefully planting shrubs and greenery, including species like Matang-ulang or Luna nut, White siris and Dillenia indica, we are thoughtfully rebuilding the water’s edge with a design that feels wild yet beautifully intentional.
Through these ongoing efforts, our hope is that we can bring a sense of untamed beauty to The Fields, inviting Wonderers to participate in a journey of renewal—one where the land and its people grow together, rooted in a shared vision of the future. These plants, trees and projects will grow to inform and guide us, deepening our ongoing relationship with nature and mind.