Past Projects

Trek2Reconnect: Walking 6,000 kms for Nature, Community, and Well-being

In 2023, Lizz Hills undertook Trek2Reconnect, a 6,000-kilometre journey on foot across Australia, driven by her commitment to mental health, environmental awareness, and community connection. This trek was more than a test of endurance; it was a catalyst for important conversations about ecological grief, resilience, and the need to reconnect with the natural world. As she traversed diverse landscapes—from remote deserts to busy townships—Lizz engaged with communities, schools, and individuals, sharing stories and encouraging people to find healing through nature.

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Throughout Trek2Reconnect, Lizz used the journey as a platform for advocacy, raising awareness of the urgent need for environmental protection and stronger mental health support. She collaborated with local organizations, facilitated workshops, and participated in community events, creating spaces for people to share their experiences of climate anxiety and personal transformation. The trek also served as a fundraising initiative, supporting environmental education and reinforcing the message that human well-being is inseparable from the health of the planet.

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The journey was a significant physical and emotional challenge, yet it highlighted the profound power of connection—connection to place, to people, and to purpose. Through Trek2Reconnect, Lizz witnessed the resilience of communities and the deep care Australians have for their environment. More than just a walk across the country, the project left a lasting impact, sparking vital discussions, shifting perspectives, and fostering a collective hope for a future where people and nature thrive together.

Surviving the Tsunami: Lizz Hills’ Story on ABC TV's I Was Actually There

Lizz Hills was featured on ABC TV’s I Was Actually There – Boxing Day Tsunami, sharing her firsthand experience of one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history. The documentary series captures personal accounts from those who lived through significant global events, offering unique perspectives on their impact. Lizz’s story provides a deeply personal insight into the tragedy, highlighting both the devastation and the resilience of those affected.

Having been present during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Lizz recounts the harrowing moments as the disaster unfolded and the lasting effects it had on individuals and communities. Her reflections not only shed light on the immediate chaos and loss but also explore the long-term psychological and emotional toll that such catastrophes leave behind. Through her contribution to the program, she emphasizes the importance of collective healing, trauma recovery, and the power of human connection in the face of adversity.

By sharing her experience, Lizz continues her work in raising awareness about trauma and resilience, linking it to her broader advocacy in mental health and ecological grief. Her involvement in I Was Actually There serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of storytelling in processing and understanding life-altering events. 

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 https://iview.abc.net.au/show/i-was-actually-there/series/1/video/DO2305H002S00

Lizz Hills: 2024 Citizen of the Year Award for Community, Mental Health, and Environmental Advocacy

In 2024, Lizz Hills was honored with the prestigious Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the community and her unwavering commitment to environmental and mental health advocacy. Lizz's work, which spans across multiple fields including psychotherapy, environmental education, and activism, has had a profound impact on the Scenic Rim region. Her ability to connect people with nature while addressing issues like ecological grief and eco-anxiety has resonated deeply within the community.

The award highlights Lizz’s role as a leader in fostering community engagement, particularly through projects like Trek2Reconnect, a 6,000-kilometre walk across Australia focused on mental health and environmental conservation. She has also been instrumental in organizing local events, workshops, and initiatives aimed at promoting wellbeing through nature, such as the We Walk for Wellbeing series, which encourages physical and mental health through hiking and nature connection. Lizz’s dedication to these causes has inspired countless individuals to take action in their own lives and communities.

Receiving the Citizen of the Year Award is a testament to Lizz’s impact not just on her immediate surroundings, but on the broader efforts to create a sustainable and connected future. Her work continues to inspire those around her to care for both the environment and each other, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and resilience. This recognition acknowledges the tireless efforts she has made in bringing people together, healing emotional wounds, and fostering a deeper connection with the world around us.

2023 CSIRO Future Shapers Award for Environmental Education and Advocacy

In 2023, Lizz Hills was recognized with the CSIRO Future Shapers Award, an honor that celebrates individuals who are driving positive change through innovative and impactful solutions. This award acknowledges Lizz’s outstanding contributions to environmental education and community engagement. Her dedication to bridging the gap between ecological understanding and sustainable living has made her a leading figure in environmental advocacy.

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The CSIRO Future Shapers Award highlights Lizz’s tireless efforts in initiatives such as Trek2Reconnect, a 6,000-kilometre walk across Australia that raised awareness about the importance of nature and the environment. She is also the driving force behind Kids of the Earth, an online primary school STEM program that takes students on a journey through the evolution of Earth and its interconnected systems of life. Through her work, Lizz has championed the idea that environmental sustainability is vital to the future of communities and the planet. Her efforts extend beyond advocacy into hands-on community engagement, offering educational opportunities that encourage a deeper connection to the natural world.

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This prestigious recognition underscores Lizz’s role as a catalyst for change, inspiring others to take action in both their personal lives and local communities. It reflects the broader impact of her work in promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, showing how one person's vision and dedication can create lasting change. The CSIRO Future Shapers Award serves as a well-deserved acknowledgment of Lizz’s remarkable achievements in shaping a more resilient and sustainable future.

Ongoing Mentorship in the Environmental and Mental Health Sector for Future Leaders

Lizz Hills has been a dedicated mentor within both the environmental and mental health sectors, promoting eco psychology and green social work practices, after years of environmental education experience and counselling practice. She continues to offer ongoing support and guidance to emerging leaders and organisations working to create positive change. As part of her commitment to fostering a more sustainable future, Lizz actively participates in initiatives like CoalitionWILD's Mentorship Program, which pairs experienced mentors with young environmental advocates to provide valuable insights, resources, and encouragement. Additionally she works with universities such as Griffith University and Charles Sturt University in programs such as "Social Impact Project". Through these platform, Lizz shares her extensive knowledge and experience, helping the next generation of environmental leaders and mental health workers to navigate the challenges they face and amplify their impact.​

Her mentorship extends beyond formal programs, with Lizz regularly providing advice and support to individuals and groups working on environmental projects in her local community and beyond. Whether it’s through one-on-one sessions, organising workshops, or facilitating networking opportunities in ‘Offers and Needs Markets’, Lizz’s approach to mentoring is rooted in her belief that collaboration and community engagement are key to solving the planet’s most pressing challenges. She works closely with mentees to strengthen their leadership skills, refine their project goals, and build networks that foster lasting change.

Community Art Exploration

Lizz Hills has long believed that the best art is community art, a philosophy that blends her passion for nature journaling, photography, and environmental activism. In 2019, she exhibited a community art piece Solastalgia at the Arts Ablaze festival, a powerful art installation that reflected on the emotional impact of environmental change. The exhibition, which combined nature-based journals, poetry and sculpture from the Scenic Rim’s Primary school students and local community members, explored the theme of "solastalgia," the grief one feels when the landscape around them is altered by human activities. It was a poignant reminder of how deeply interconnected we are with the natural world, and how loss and transformation can evoke profound emotional responses. Reflecting on the experience, Lizz shared, “We couldn’t even light the ceremonial ‘children’s fire’ to share the poetry the children had written because the Black Summer fires of 2019 had begun, and there was a total fire ban.”

Additionally she has played a significant role in Reclaim the Void, a project born from the grief of Ngalia elders in Leonora, Western Australia, who lamented "those gaping mining holes left all over our country," who mourned the damage caused by mining to their sacred land. Reclaim the Void focuses on raising awareness about the destruction caused by mining and the urgent need for sustainable practices. Lizz contributed by running community workshops where people contributed to creating a large, collaborative artwork from 4,000 hand-woven rugs made from discarded fabric, representing the healing and reclaiming of the land.

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The artwork will be laid on mining-affected land, symbolising hope and reconciliation. Additionally, Reclaim the Void includes an interactive ‘rugalogue’ to share the stories behind the rugs, celebrating the collective desire to care for the land. This project blends land art, community, and culture, serving as a powerful symbol of respect for the land and a call to action for sustainable practices.