WELCOME!
This is our first gathering but it has been a long time coming.

The CommonsKeepers is a collaboration between Elspeth Hay and Sue “Jaye” Johnson.

For fifteen years, Elspeth has documented our region's relationship with land and traditional ecological knowledge through her work as creator and host of the Local Food Report on CAI. Her forthcoming book, Feed Us With Trees (New Society Publishers, 2025), explores commons-based approaches to environmental stewardship, demonstrating her longstanding engagement with the core themes of this project.
You can find our more about Elspeth’s work and her upcoming book here.

Jaye is a journalist and documentary maker who has spent two decades telling stories about social justice and environmental issues. Her work has consistently centered young voices while exploring the intersection of community, culture, and activism. As creator of youth-focused programs including the BRAVE GIRLS Festival, she brings extensive experience in developing transformative gatherings that build lasting community connections. Jaye’s work can be found here.

We see how our children's generation often feels overwhelmed by environmental challenges, viewing themselves as inheriting damaged ecosystems rather than seeing their potential as stewards and healers.Through the CommonsKeepers, we aim to shift this narrative by showing young people how they can have a positive impact on our shared environment while building lives rooted in community and place.