About us
We are Reem and Joost, a Dutch-Lebanese couple, an ecologist and an herbalist. Together with our two young children, Ramzi and Sary, we live at La Llamera, an old farm and homestead in a little secluded valley surrounded by Europe’s most vibrant ecosystems.
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We love getting our hands dirty in the gardens, welcoming new species, and being surprised by the wild plants that introduce themselves. We enjoy working with the land, reopening old water flows, experimenting with grazing, and tending a daily fire.
We love going on expeditions with our children, sharing in their wonder for tracks, insects, and hidden lives. Above all, we cherish a simple life and the rich, complex relationships that come with it.​
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We enjoy sharing our experiences and knowledge with others, because we believe that sharing creates new connections. We, as humans, learn and experience life together. This is simply how our species is built.
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This passion for the land, for curiosity, and for shared discovery is what led us to start Anima Natura, a space to journey inward and outward, guided by the 'breath of life': Anima. ​​​​
Anima Natura is the force that connects all living beings. It lives in the unconscious depths of our minds, the part of us that moves without awareness or introspection. Anima is present in our dreams, habits, reflexes, and fears. In a world that often feels deeply broken, the idea that each of us carries an inner portal, a way back to ourselves, to the land, and to all that lives, is profoundly hopeful.
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At Anima Natura, we create journeys. From days of sensory experiences in the wild to a single afternoon of herbal medicine making on our finca, each experience is a journey without an endpoint. They are often paths you already recognize. We simply help you step back onto your trail into the natural world. A trail we hope will unfold with you for a lifetime.
Reem's journey into the world of herbs
'Born in Beirut, a city I once thought defined me, I always believed I was a city girl at heart. Yet, nature called to me early on. Joining the scouts was my first attempt at bridging the two worlds. Being out in the mountains, sleeping under the scent of pine, left an imprint so deep that even today, that familiar fragrance awakens a profound nostalgia for the nature I grew up with.
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Following in my mother's footsteps as an architect seemed like a natural path, until an open day at university introduced me to landscape architecture. That was it! A perfect fusion of my two passions: nature and urban life. A few years later, I held three diplomas: a BSc in Landscape Architecture with a minor in Agricultural Studies and Development from the `american Universtory of Beirut, and a Master’s in Landscape architecture from Wageningen University.
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I spent years working in architectural offices, always focused on integrating landscapes into city contexts, bridging the gap between urban spaces and nature, creating greener, healthier public spaces. But reality hit: change takes time, money, and bureaucracy. It wasn’t the way I had envisioned. I was in the wrong place.
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So began my journey to rediscover what truly made my heart dance, the same way it did whenever I smelled pine trees. I explored different roles: graphic designer, project manager, visual designer, exhibition builder, and even working on educational programs for children in war zones. Each brought a sense of accomplishment, yet none felt like home. Eventually, I stepped away to focus on family.
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During that time, Joost and I wrote a book about nature in the city, and something reignited in me. I immersed myself in herbal workshops, nature walks, wildcrafting, and devoured books on the subject. Then, almost instinctively, I found myself enrolling in a four-year herbal program, without hesitation, without overthinking. The path had found me.'
Joost’s journey: back to the land
'I grew up in a vegetable garden. My parents built our family home alongside permaculture gardens inspired by John Seymour’s Living off the Land. As a child, the pursuit of self-sufficiency felt slightly traumatic: while I longed for Coca-Cola and chips, we were still eating wrinkled apples well into spring. Now that I have a family of my own, we have chosen to follow the same path.
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As a child, my gaze was directed upward, toward the birds. My first book was a field guide. Later, I began looking around, into the field of ecology, and now I find myself mostly looking down, reading tracks and signs on the ground.
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Another lifelong interest of mine is anthropology and history. Why do we live the way we do? What lies before, beyond, and beneath our present world? Concepts we often consider solid, landscape, identity, language, community, are all shaped over time.
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I hold degrees in political science and history. I previously co-directed Partizan Publik, a platform for romantic activism. That produces exhibitions, books, campaigns, and public programs. I have worked as an ecologist for the cities of Amsterdam and Nijmegen, and with ARK Rewilding Netherlands. I am certified at CyberTracker Level 3 in track and sign.'