Emma’s Story
Emma Cunis, the founder of Dartmoor’s Daughter, on her upbringing and what led her to set up her award winning organisation.
I was lucky enough to grow up free-range! As children we roamed widely - through lush green hills and valleys; clambered up rocky granite tors; swam in copper-gold coloured rivers; lay in the branches of trees; built camps with friends in the woods; mixed lotions and potions out of leaves, flowers and berries; rode horses and cycled along winding narrow lanes, leafy bridlepaths, field footpaths, and meadows. The only thing that brought us home on long summer evenings was the ring of a handbell by Mum standing at the field gate calling us in for supper.
“The only thing that brought us home on long summer evenings was the ring of a handbell by Mum standing at the field gate calling us in for supper.”
Our parents had a great affinity for nature and taught us the names of trees and animals; how to make leaf rubbings; walked the lanes in autumn with us to pick big bowls full of blackberries; and showed us which bird had laid the blue and brown spotted eggs in the nest in spring. I voraciously read books about history, other lands, and magic – the ‘Narnia’ series was one of my favourites to read and re-read. A deep connection with nature was fostered and combined with imagination and education.
After university then a 20 years global business career, I became ill with ME/CFS so returned home to Devon, and used a holistic approach to regain physical health and emotional wellbeing, and to build a spiritual connection. Inspired to share this journey and encourage others, I retrained as a Health and Life Coach and then Walking Guide and Nature-Connection Facilitator.
“Granny Val introduced her first husband Eric Hemery to Dartmoor in the 1950s where he set up and offered guided walks and pony treks then wrote a series of well regarded books...”
My maternal family has lived on or near and loved Dartmoor for generations. Granny Val introduced her first husband Eric Hemery to Dartmoor in the 1950s where he set up and offered guided walks and pony treks then wrote a series of well regarded books including ‘High Dartmoor - Land and People’ described as 'the bible for anyone who has the spirit of Dartmoor'.
Rather than the route-marches of my younger days, Dartmoor’s Daughter walks are designed to offer an immersive experience that invite you/us into a deeper (re)connection with our bodies, communities, and with the land itself so that we can be happier, healthier, and inspired to care for our natural world. Anyone who joins my walks and experiences, reports a greater sense of wellbeing as well as enjoyment, fun and learning. I hope you’ll join me soon to explore one of Britain’s most stunning living, working landscapes.'
“Being in nature relaxes my body and mind. Daily stresses melt away and my senses come alive as I feel the warmth of the sun on my face and wind in my hair, the springy moss grasses under my feet, and hear the song of the skylark high above me. Dropping into the present moment fills me with a deep appreciation of this wild and ancient landscape, and the joy and abundance of life.”