Dr. Larch Maxey—on The Spirituality of Social Engagement

Drawing on a 3-year Pr*son sentence for peaceful protest and a lifetime of studying, teaching and practicing sustainability, this talk explores what it means to be human in challenging times. Larch will take us on a journey from occupying cranes, free parties and squatting in the 90s, through co-creating some of the world’s most vibrant resistance movements to returning to Totnes and setting up Community Assemblies. Larch will consider how these simple, community events can help strengthen community, resist the rise of fascism and prepare us for future shocks.

Dr. Larch Maxey LLB, MSc, Ph.D., FRGS has researched, written about & co-created pioneering sustainable communities since 1994 & initiated Wales’ One Planet Development policy. He then co-founded Lammas Low Impact Development, the Network of Wellbeing charity, Just Stop Oil, was Chair of the Ecological Land Co-operative, Director of Bright Green Futures Ltd and pivotal in the creation of Extinction Rebellion and Insulate Britain. In 2020 he co-founded HS2 Rebellion and was evicted 8 times, including the longest tree eviction in UK history and spending 27 days underground in the tunnel under Euston Square Gardens. He was sentenced to 3 years Pr*son for the JSO tunnels and, in September 2024, co-founded Ethical Sustainable Properties in 2023 and Totnes Community Assembly in August 2025 . He has co-edited two books, and is a devoted Dzogchen practitioner.

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