Nature Evolutionaries

Join Suzi Steer, founder of The Tree Conference and co-author of Rooted in Ethics, for an insightful conversation on citizen-led reforestation, protecting old-growth forests, and transforming our relationship with trees. Suzi explores the intersection of science, policy, and deep listening with Nature, highlighting innovative projects, grassroots movements, and cultural shifts that are reshaping how we care for Earth's ecosystems. This session inspires new ways of thinking about trees—not just as resources, but as intelligent, interconnected beings essential to planetary wellbeing.Suzi Steer's mission is to support trees to survive and thrive on Earth in these times. She is the founder of the Tree Conference, an event that brings together scientists, tree-related NGOs, foresters, grassroots communities, creatives, legal experts, tree-speakers and the general tree-loving public. Suzi's specialism is in the relationship between human construct systems (e.g. financial, legal, technological and governmental) and Nature's planetary intelligence system. From her profession as a maths teacher, Suzi's journey into exploring systemic change with individuals, communities and organisations has been through deep listening with trees and plants as experts in Earth's multidimensional living systems.For six years Suzi worked through the UK charity TreeSisters to articulate the Ethics and Nature Relationships that support land, forest and biocultural restoration that honours all beings of Nature as conscious, intelligent and having agency. This involved listening with representatives of Original Peoples and Nations and reforestation practitioners alongside specialists in law and international agreements. The resulting Rooted in Ethics: The Community Tree Stewardship Framework and Practices Guides are co-published by TreeSisters and The Fountain, a US 501c3.Learn more about Suzi and her work at thetreeconference.comSupport the show

Join us for a rare and profound conversation with visionary botanist, biochemist, and bestselling author Diana Beresford-Kroeger, whose work reveals Forests as living, breathing networks essential to our survival.In this intimate webinar, Diana shares insights from Our Green Heart, the culmination of her life's research on the deep connection between forests, human health, and planetary survival. As one of the last people in Ireland to receive a full Druidic education, she bridges ancient ecological wisdom with cutting-edge science to show how forests serve as Earth's lungs, medicine, and protectors against climate breakdown.Discover the hidden intelligence of trees, the critical role forests play in stabilizing climate, and how Diana's groundbreaking Bioplan offers a roadmap for replanting the global forest—and our future. She calls on each of us to take action through planting, protection, and reciprocity with the natural world.This is more than a conversation—it's a call to action. Leave inspired and empowered with steps to help safeguard the forests that sustain life on Earth.Diana Beresford-Kroeger is a globally recognized author, medical biochemist, botanist, and climate visionary. Raised in Ireland after the early loss of her parents, she was educated by elders in the Brehon tradition who passed on ancestral knowledge of plants and nature.Told as a child she would one day carry that wisdom into a troubled future, Diana has done just that. Since the 1960s, she has been sounding the alarm on climate change and advocating for the protection of global forests. Her scientific path led to degrees in botany and biochemistry, and to discoveries such as genetic smearing and cathodoluminescence in biological systems—now used in cancer detection.Yet her heart remained with the forest. In the 1970s, she created her own arboretum, gathered rare trees from around the world, and uncovered the chemical language and medicinal intelligence of forests. Her Bioplan empowers people everywhere to replant and protect native species. The plan has been adopted by cities like Ottawa and inspired international action.Diana's 2016 documentary Call of the Forest introduced wider audiences to this vision, alongside a tree-planting app matching native species to location. Her collaboration with activist Sophia Rabliauskas helped secure UNESCO World Heritage status for Pimachiowin Aki, a boreal forest of immense ecological and cultural value.Diana's legacy project is to clone and map the entire global forest—creating a living library of seeds to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.Learn more: https://dianaberesford-kroeger.comSupport the show

The Elwha River Watershed is a living, breathing web of interconnection—home to salmon, orcas, towering trees, and the stories of the Lower Elwha Klallam people. For generations, these lands and waters have sustained life, and in return, they have been cared for as kin. But today, 850 acres of mature, structurally complex forests in the watershed are at risk of being auctioned for logging, despite decades of restoration efforts.In this conversation, we will explore the urgent movement to protect the Elwha's legacy forests, guided by those who stand on the leading edge of this movement for protection and stewardship. Tashena Francis (Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Citizen) and Freddie Lane (Lummi Nation Elder) have been organizing their communities to defend the watershed, upholding their sacred responsibility to protect the land. They are collaborating with Elizabeth Dunne (Elwha Watershed Resident), co-founder of the grassroots Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition (of which Tashena and Freddie are also a part). Elizabeth, who leads Earth Law Center's Cascadia Bioregion Program, is working to establish legal protections rooted in the Rights of Nature and principles of respect and reciprocity.Together, we will discuss:

Join us for a transformative Earth Day webinar with renowned plant spirit healer and author Pam Montgomery. Pam guides us into a deeper relationship with the living world, inviting us to experience Nature as an ally and teacher rather than a resource to manage.Pam offers a perspective that is both practical and profoundly heart-centered, illuminating the subtle yet powerful connections between human beings and the natural world. Her newly released book, Co-Creating with Nature, delves into this relationship and offers pathways for healing.In this webinar, Pam shares stories of her own journey into plant communication, explores the intelligence present in Nature, and inspires us to rekindle our relationship with the Earth. Come with an open heart and leave with a renewed sense of wonder and connection to the world around you.Support This OfferingThis free Earth Day webinar is a gift from the heart of our community—and we invite you to give back in support. Your donation helps the Organization of Nature Evolutionaries continue offering Earth-honoring programs like this one, uplifting Nature's voice and deepening our collective relationship with the living world.

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have used fire as a tool to cultivate and sustain the land. Yet, colonization and fire suppression policies criminalized these ancient practices, leading to devastating consequences for ecosystems and communities. Today, cultural fire practitioners are reclaiming the knowledge of their ancestors, bringing back "good fire" to heal the land, reduce catastrophic wildfires, and restore balance.Join us for an illuminating conversation with Elizabeth Azzuz, a dedicated cultural fire practitioner working to restore Indigenous fire stewardship. As a member of the Cultural Fire Management Council on the Yurok Reservation and Ancestral lands, Elizabeth helps train new generations of fire lighters, ensuring that traditional ecological knowledge continues to shape a more resilient and thriving landscape.In this webinar, we will explore:The spiritual and ecological importance of cultural burning.How fire supports food, medicine, and basket-making materials.The challenges Indigenous fire practitioners face in reclaiming their ancestral stewardship.The growing recognition of prescribed fire as a solution to today's wildfire crisis.Elizabeth's work is not just about fire—it is about sovereignty, cultural survival, and the renewal of life itself. Come listen, learn, and support the movement to restore Indigenous fire practices to the land.Elizabeth Azzuz is a cultural fire practitioner who has been burning since the age of four. Her Karuk grandfather taught her about her obligations to Mother Earth after catching her playing with fire. She is a mother and grandmother, and she gathers foods, medicines, teas, and basket materials in post-burn areas. As part of the Cultural Fire Management Council, she works to train fire lighters to restore ecosystems with the greatest tool left by the Creator—fire.You can learn more about Elizabeth and Cultural Fire Fire Management Council at https://www.culturalfire.org/Support the show

Forests hold stories—ancient memories woven into their roots, whispered through their leaves, and carried on the wind. In this special gathering, Katherine Parker invites us into a deeper relationship with the Forest as both a place and a presence.We begin by exploring the connection between Forests and ancestral memory, touching on how these living landscapes hold the echoes of those who came before. Katherine then shares a Forest story, offering a glimpse into the mythic consciousness that has long honored the wisdom of trees.From there, we turn to practice—ways to attune to the intelligence and consciousness of the Forest, to listen rather than simply observe, and to experience the Forest not as separate from us, but as a part of who we are.This session is an invitation to slow down, to listen, and to remember. Join us as we step into the stillness and presence of the Forest together.Katherine Parker, PhD is a Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide and recovering psychologist. She wanders the liminal space between mythology, psychology, and animism, looking for ancestral connections. Kat is an oral storyteller in the tradition of the British Isles and created the podcast Celtic Medicine Stories. She writes “Adventures in the Otherworld, the Science and Mythology of the non-ordinary” on Substack. You can learn more about her work at https://ancestralconnection.earthSupport the show

Join us for Forest as Community: The Ecology of Relationships with Luke Cannon, a journey into the interconnected world of the forest ecosystem. Grounded in Appalachian Forest ecology, this exploration touches on Forest principles that play out in countless ways across the planet. From the hidden networks beneath the forest floor to the towering crowns of ancient trees, we explore the relationships that sustain these living communities. Luke helps us traverse the intricate web of interactions between fungi, plants, animals, and the elements, touching on deep time and illustrating how these relationships form the foundation of a thriving forest. Within this conversation, you are invited to consider your own connection to the greater community of life, including the Forests where they live—as humans, what is our Forest niche? Luke Cannon, a seasoned botanist and naturalist, brings decades of ecological study and experience to this conversation.  His insights draw from Appalachian ecology, ethnobotany, and a lifetime of immersive study with the living landscape.This webinar offers a unique perspective on Forests as collaborative, relational communities rather than just collections of individual species. Centering our own role within ecosystems, it provides a broad yet nuanced understanding of the Forest's intricate dynamics. It leaves you with a renewed appreciation for the profound interconnectedness that makes a Forest a Forest.Luke Cannon is a botanist, naturalist, and lifelong student of the living Earth. His passion for understanding the ecological intricacies of forests has taken him across the Americas and beyond, learning and teaching about the Earth's astounding diversity. With a background in Appalachian ecology, ethnobotany, permaculture, and experiential education, Luke draws from diverse fields to share practical, insightful knowledge about the natural world. As the founder of Astounding Earth, Luke has dedicated decades to teaching and mentoring people of all ages, helping them deepen their relationship with Nature. He has led programs for numerous institutions, including the North Carolina Arboretum and Organic Growers School, offering accessible, experience-based learning that inspires a lasting connection to the forest community.You can learn more about Luke and his work at https://www.astoundingearth.com/.Support the show

Step into the Heart of the Forest and discover the Spirit and Medicine of the Northeast Woodlands.Join Kate Gilday on a journey through the Northeast woodlands, where Nature encourages us to slow down, observe, and form a deeper connection with the world around us. Kate will share her wisdom and stories, inspiring you to use your senses to experience the unique essence of the forest.Discover the medicinal and energetic gifts of trees like White Pine, Scots Pine, Golden Birch, and Black Birch, as well as the remarkable qualities of at-risk plants such as Goldenseal, Black Cohosh, and Bloodroot. Learn practical methods for sustainably growing and protecting these precious forest medicines.Whether you're an herbalist, Nature enthusiast, or someone seeking to strengthen your bond with the wild, this webinar will illuminate the beauty and healing power of the natural world.To see the slides that Kate is referring to, check out her full recording here.Click here for Kate's Printable Forest Resource ListSupport the show

Reconnect. Rebalance. Restore.Start the New Year by reconnecting with what truly matters. Join renowned teachers Pam Montgomery, Deb Soule, and Myra Jackson for a transformative free webinar exploring how grounding in Nature can enhance your health, well-being, and resilience.Together, we'll delve into the profound interconnection between people and Nature, discovering how embracing natural cycles can restore balance not just for ourselves but for all life. Gain practical insights and inspiration to help you move through 2025 with clarity and purpose.This free event is part of the Drinking from the Well: Women Restoring Balance and Knowing series and marks the final day to take advantage of our early bird registration price for the full course.Support the show

Each year, as we conclude another season of dynamic learning and ceremony with our Nature Evolutionary community, we return to the question, “Can plants save the planet?” Gathering with plant and Earth-centered voices, we explore how plants and trees—these ancient and wise green beings—have the long view and continue to thrive in our ever-changing world. The vast bio-intelligence of plants and trees is no longer seen as a fringe idea but is now recognized as a well-researched truth. Recent discoveries are illuminating how plant consciousness affects our lives and the life of the planet in ways we could hardly have imagined just a few short years ago. This year, renowned herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt joins ONE founder Pam Montgomery to explore this powerful topic. Together, they'll share stories from decades of relationship with the green beings, including deeply healing experiences, “wow” moments, and actions we can take to support a thriving world. Be a part of this inspiring conversation. Your participation and support make ONE's work possible as we deepen our partnership with Nature for a life-giving future.Rosalee de la Forêt is passionate about inspiring people to turn to the healing gifts of medicinal plants and Nature connection.She is a registered herbalist and the author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transforming Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies that Heal and co-author of Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine.Rosalee and her husband live in a log cabin in the northeastern cascades of Washington state, where she's an avid gardener and excels at cuddling up with her cat and her latest knitting project.You can learn more about Rosalee by visiting her website, www.herbalremediesadvice.org, and her Instagram profile.Pam Montgomery has been investigating plants and their intelligent spiritual nature for more than three decades. As an author, teacher, and practitioner, she has passionately embraced her partnership with the plants who are guiding us in our spiritual evolution.  She is the author of Partner Earth: A Spiritual Ecology and the best-selling Plant Spirit Healing: A Guide to Working with Plant Consciousness. She teaches internationally on plant spirit healing, spiritual ecology, and people as Nature Evolutionaries. Pam is the founder of ONE.  She has dedicated herself to co-creative partnership with all of life and feels the Organization of Nature Evolutionaries is a way to make this partnership manifest.You can connect with Pam here: www.wakeuptonature.com Support the show

Join us for a profound journey into the heart of Earth wisdom with herbalist and storyteller Robin Rose Bennett. In this special webinar, Robin will lead us in honoring the ancient, living intelligence of the Earth through the magic of plants. Whether you're a seasoned herbalist or a curious beginner, you'll discover new ways to deepen your relationship with plants as sacred allies, healers, and guides.We'll explore how plants connect us to ancestral wisdom, helping us feel rooted in our bodies, communities, and the natural world. Robin will share rituals and practical insights for working with plants to awaken our inner strength, inspire joy, and—most importantly—pass this wisdom on to the next generation. Learn how to weave these practices into everyday life with children, grandchildren, and students, nurturing their natural curiosity and connection to the green world.Robin Rose Bennett is a story-teller, writer, and herbalist, offering classes in Herbal Medicine and EarthSpirit Teachings since 1986 - at herb conferences, festivals, medical schools, and most joyously, outside with the plants. Robin Rose shares herbal medicine with gratitude for the loving generosity of the plants and the magic, mystery, and beauty of the web of life. She is the author of: Healing Magic - A Green Witch Guidebook to Conscious Living, The Gift of Healing Herbs - Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life,  A Young Green Witch's Guide to Plant Magic - Rituals and Recipes from Nature, and A Green Witch's Pocket Book of Wisdom-Big Little Life Tips.  To read more about Robin's work, please visit https://www.robinrosebennett.com/Support the show

Join us for the fifth session of our Soil Conversations series, featuring a compelling discussion with Hunter Lovins, renowned environmentalist, author, and champion of sustainable development. This session promises to delve into the intricate relationships between soil health, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Lovins will share her wealth of knowledge on how nurturing our soil can lead to a regenerative future, offering insights drawn from her extensive experience and pioneering work in the field.In this conversation, we will explore practical strategies for improving soil health and enhancing ecosystem services. Lovins will discuss the role of innovative agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and holistic management, in building resilient food systems. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how healthy soils contribute to carbon sequestration, water retention, and biodiversity, and how these benefits can be realized on both local and global scales.This session is an invaluable opportunity to hear from one of the leading voices in sustainability and to engage in a dialogue about the future of our soils. Hunter Lovins' unique perspective, grounded in decades of activism and research, will provide a rich context for understanding the critical importance of soil stewardship in addressing the pressing environmental challenges of our time.L. Hunter Lovins is President of Natural Capitalism Solutions. NCS helps companies, communities and countries implement more regenerative practices profitably.  A professor of sustainable business management at Fordham University, Hunter teaches entrepreneuring and coaches social enterprises around the world. A Managing Partner of NOW Partners, she is also a board member of Aquion and several non-profits. Hunter has worked in energy, regenerative agriculture, climate policy, sustainable development and resilience for 55 years.A consultant to industries including International Finance Corporation, Unilever, Walmart, the United Nations and Royal Dutch Shell, as well as sustainability champions Interface, Patagonia and Clif Bar, Hunter has briefed heads of state, the UN, and the US Congress, leaders of the numerous local governments, the Pentagon, and officials in 30 countries. Author of 17 books – including the recently released A Finer Future: Creating an Economy in Service to Life, which won a Nautilus Award – Hunter has won dozens of awards, including the European Sustainability Pioneer award and the Right Livelihood Award. Time Magazine recognized her as a Millennium Hero for the Planet, and Newsweek called her the Green Business Icon. Support the show

Join us for a compelling interview with Hilary Giovale, a writer and community organizer who is deeply engaged in the work of truth, healing, and repair. Hilary will share her personal journey as a ninth-generation American settler coming to terms with her ancestral legacies and the responsibilities they carry. We'll explore her process of ancestral repair, her solidarity with Indigenous-led movements, and how her relationship with the land where she lives informs her activism and personal growth.In this conversation, Hilary will discuss the challenges and insights she has encountered as she navigates the complex terrain of unlearning white fragility and committing to reparations. She'll offer a candid look at how these experiences have transformed her understanding of kinship, responsibility, and resilience. Expect an open and vulnerable dialogue that goes beyond intellectual analysis, inviting us into the realms of intuition, dreams, and practical rituals for healing.This interview is an opportunity to hear firsthand from Hilary about her ongoing work to address the harms of colonialism and racial hierarchy. Whether you're beginning your own journey or have been on this path for some time, Hilary's reflections will offer valuable perspectives and practical tools for those dedicated to creating a more just and equitable world.Hilary Giovale is a ninth-generation American settler descended from the ancient Celtic, Germanic, and Nordic peoples of northwestern Europe. She lives at the foot of a sacred mountain, a being of kinship, that stands within the traditional homelands of Diné, Hopi, Havasupai, Hualapai, Yavapai, Apache, and Paiute Peoples, as well as several Pueblos. Her relationships with this land inform her life as a mother, community organizer, writer, and philanthropist. In 2015, Hilary became aware of her ancestors' longstanding presence as American settlers. Since then, she has been living a process of inquiry that includes ancestral repair, solidarity with Indigenous-led movements, reconnection with Earth, apology, forgiveness, and reparations. She is the author of Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing and Repair (now available for pre-order).  Hilary also co-facilitates the Rekindling Ancestral Memory circle hosted by ONE.  To read more about her work, please visit www.goodrelative.com.Support the show

Join us for an engaging discussion featuring  Dr. Elaine Ingham, a renowned soil microbiologist and founder of Soil Food Web.  Dr. Ingham will share her insights about the fascinating world beneath our feet and the community of healthy soil ecosystems. She will discuss the vital role that microorganisms play in maintaining soil health and how they can dramatically impact plant growth, nutrient cycles, and overall ecosystem resilience.Dr. Ingham's extensive experience and pioneering research make her an expert in understanding how we can collaborate with the power of the soil food web to improve soil health and promote regenerative practices. Whether you're a gardener, farmer, or simply a Nature enthusiast, this discussion will provide practical insights into how you can support soil health in your own backyard or community. Topics will include composting, natural soil amendments, and methods to enhance microbial diversity for a thriving garden or farm.This interview is an inspiring and educational experience for everyone interested in nurturing the life beneath our feet.Dr. Elaine Ingham serves as the Soil Food Web School's Founder, Principal Ambassador, and Science and Research Advisor. Dr. Ingham has advanced our knowledge about the soil food web for over 4 decades. Widely recognized as the world's foremost soil biologist, she's passionate about empowering ordinary people to bring the soils in their community back to life.Dr. Elaine's™ Soil Food Web Approach has been used to successfully restore the ecological functions of soils on six continents. The courses offered by Dr. Elaine's™ Soil Food Web School have been designed for people with no relevant experience – making them accessible to individuals who wish to retrain and to begin a meaningful and impactful career in an area that will help to secure the survival of humans and other species.Dr. Ingham began her college career at St. Olaf College, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts. She earned her Master of Science in Marine Biology from Texas A&M and her Ph.D. in Soil Microbiology from Colorado State in 1981. From there, she completed her post-doc at the University of Georgia Institute of Ecology before serving as an Instructor and later an Associate Professor for many years at Oregon State University. During her travels, she served as the first President of the Soil Ecology Society, the Program Director for the Ecological Society of America, and a member of the American Society of Microbiology.In 2019 she teamed up with Luke Louka and created The Soil Food Web School (SFWS). While she was satisfied with an LMS-based instructional approach to begin with, she has been an advocate for being in contact with students. Even though the school has grown to over 3,000 students in three short years, Dr. Ingham still responds personally to email requests, student forum questions, and course content creation. Using technology to its fullest, Dr. Ingham hosts global webinars and conferences with some of the world's premier experts in soil science and does so for free both for students and the general global audience to help bring awareness of the gifts possible through farming without the use of pesticides and inorganic chemicals. Dr. Ingham also opened Soil Foodweb Incorporated in 2020 to serve as her research and consultation company, where people can reach out to hire Dr. Elaine and her research team directly. To reach out, visit soilfoodwebinc.com or email general@soilfoodwebinc.comSupport the show

Join us for an insightful conversation with the brilliant Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, a leading soil scientist who has pioneered groundbreaking studies on soil's role in regulating the Earth's climate. In this third session of our Soil Webinar Series, Dr. Berhe shares her deep passion for the science of soil, helping us all see how essential it is not just for our climate, but for the health and balance of our planet's ecosystems. She talks about the powerful connections between soil and our communities, making it clear that when our soil thrives, so do we. Dr. Berhe also touches on the importance of making sure everyone's voice is heard in climate discussions, reminding us that diversity in STEM leads to richer, more resilient solutions. Her insights on leadership are truly inspiring, showing us how inclusive, thoughtful leadership can bring real change. Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe is a Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry and Falasco Chair in Earth Sciences and Geology at the University of California, Merced.  She previously served as the Director of the US Department of Energy's Office of Science. Her research interest lies at the intersection of soil science, geochemistry, global change science, and political ecology. Prof. Berhe's work seeks to improve our understanding of how the soil system regulates the earth's climate and the dynamic two-way relationship between soil and human communities. Numerous awards and honors have recognized her scholarly contributions and efforts to improve equity and inclusion in STEM. She is an Elected member of the US National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the Geological Society of America, and a member of the inaugural class of the US National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, New Voices in Science, Engineering, and Medicine.  You can learn more about Dr. Berhe and her work on her website:  https://aaberhe.com/Support the Show.

Join us for a compelling live webinar interview with Briana Alfaro and Danielle Peláez from Soul Fire Farm as we dig into the rich and essential world of soil as well as the profound relationship we share with soil. This engaging discussion will cover:Is Soil Alive?: Taking a look at the composition and nature of soil and perception of soil and its vital role in sustaining life on Earth.Soul Fire Farm's Soil Practices: An in-depth look at how Soul Fire Farm's regenerative practices in caring for their soil promote biodiversity and ecological balance.Caring for and Honoring Our Soil: Practical advice and insights on nurturing and respecting the soil in our own landscapes.Briana and Danielle will share their expertise, experiences, and ways that Soul Fire Farm partners with the land to help the soil remain vibrant and life-giving. This webinar promises to be a rich exchange of knowledge, fostering a deeper connection to the Earth beneath our feet and inspiring actionable steps to support soil health in our own communities. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from two passionate experts in regenerative agriculture and soil stewardship!About Soul Fire Farm:  Soul Fire Farm is an Afro-Indigenous centered community farm committed to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system. To learn more about Soul Fire Farm and their fantastic work, visit their website at www.soulfirefarm.org.  Briana Alfaro, Soul Fire Farm Administrative Director of Programs & Partnerships, (she/her) is a multiracial, Mexican and Indigenous grower, educator, writer, and activist living in unceded Gayogohó:nǫ˺ territory, in Ithaca, NY. She co-creates educational offerings and supports coalition work as Director of Programs & Partnerships at Soul Fire Farm. Her passion for land stewardship and agriculture is rooted in a long-held infatuation with food and cooking; in her family's experience as campesino farmers and US farm workers; and in a love of nature cultivated by family camping trips as a child. She has worked with National Young Farmers Coalition, Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY, and San Diego Food System Alliance. She holds a M.S. Food Studies from Syracuse University and serves on the Board of the Youth Farm Project. Danielle Peláez, Soul Fire Farm Education Manager, (she/they || ella/elle) is a queer farmer, educator, and land tender. A lover of plantitas, fungi, human and non-human beings, Danielle dreams of serving her community through facilitating (re)connection to the soil, drawing on her roots in the western highlands of Guatemala. As the Farm Education Manager, Dani co-creates and co-leads earth-based educational offerings. They love being outside in all forms (gardening, hiking, foraging, napping in hammocks) and sharing meals with friends.Support the Show.

Join us for a lively and informative conversation with dynamic herbalist, farmer, and educator Tammi Sweet. Her passion for soil and her perspective that "Compost is God" set the tone for a fun and insightful discussion. Discover the alchemical magic of composting, where kitchen scraps and yard waste transform into fertile, life-giving soil. We'll discuss practical tips for creating and maintaining a compost system that works wonders. Tammi will explain how organic matter turns into rich soil, boosting fertility and plant growth. Whether you're a composting newbie or a seasoned pro, Tammi's enthusiasm and years of farming experience will help you see composting in a whole new light.Tammi will also share about growing hemp and its close relationship with healthy soil. Learn how this versatile plant thrives with nutrient-rich compost and how it, in turn, enhances soil health. Tammi's holistic, knowledgeable, and practical take on soil, compost, and hemp cultivation will leave you inspired and ready to get your hands dirty. This is the first webinar in our Soils Series, culminating in our Soil Gratitude Ceremony. Join us on this journey of discovery and celebration of the Earth's incredible processes. Come and discover why "Compost is God" and how you can contribute to the health of our planet through soil and compost practices.Tammi Sweet loves to teach. It's her superpower. She has a magical ability to connect with almost anyone when teaching and help them understand complex material. For over 30 years, Tammi has shared her gift of teaching at various colleges, massage schools and herbal schools throughout the country. Her background in physiology makes her an invaluable resource to developing herbalists and massage therapists alike, who want to deepen their foundation as practitioners. In addition to her physiology expertise, Tammi is also a practitioner and teacher of herbal medicine. She is deeply influenced by her studies with accomplished herbalists, including Rosemary Gladstar, Pam Montgomery, Tom Brown, Jr. and especially Stephen Buhner's pioneering work on the heart as an organ of perception.In 2007, Tammi set out to “combine all the things I love into one curriculum and teach whatever I wanted in ways that made sense--on my own terms.” So, she and her partner Kris Miller launched the Heartstone Center for Earth Essentials.At Heartstone, Tammi and Kris run their Herbal Apprenticeship. Tammi also offers online courses that integrate physiology and plant medicine with Tammi's love of teaching, such as her signature course Anatomy & Physiology for Herbalists. The other branch of her teaching is Cannabis. In 2019 Tammi offered her first online course in Medicine Making with Cannabis. 2020 brought about her six month long Online Cannabis Grow course. Teaching these two courses led to publishing two books; The first; The Wholistic Healing Guide to Cannabis and her second, The Beginner's Guide to Growing Cannabis.Support the Show.

Join us in discussion with Jakob Shockey, co-founder of Project Beaver, for an insightful webinar that explores a pivotal question, "How can we move towards coexistence and partnership with Nature even in places where we as humans have dramatically altered the landscapes?"  Looking to Nature and co-creative partnership, we will delve into the role of beavers as natural engineers and their crucial contributions to environmental health and sustainability.During the webinar, you'll learn about the critical ecological benefits that beavers provide. They create and maintain wetlands, essential for a diverse range of flora and fauna, which serve as natural water filters, reduce flooding risks, and help in carbon sequestration efforts. Jakob will discuss how the structures built by beavers, such as dams, can prevent flash flooding and reduce soil erosion, essential for restoring degraded landscapes and repairing damaged watersheds.Despite their importance, beavers are often seen as nuisances. This session will challenge such views and highlight the need for a shift towards coexistence and appreciation of beavers as valuable partners in our environmental efforts.Engage with us to explore how co-creative and co-existence efforts with beavers can lead to a more sustainable and resilient future for all life.NOTE:  Slides were used in this episode.  To see the visual, visit the video recording here.Jakob Shockey is a professional wildlife biologist, entrepreneur, land steward, and storyteller. His work focuses on restoring the natural process and order of resilient habitat, its wildlife, and the complex interrelationship with humans. He has been working professionally in Oregon's streams, rivers and wetlands for over a decade. He is the foremost authority in mitigating beaver conflicts with human infrastructure in Oregon, through his company Beaver State Wildlife Solutions.  Jakob also co-founded and leads Project Beaver, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering humans to partner with beavers and value their works. Jakob lives in the Siskiyou Mountains of Southwestern Oregon, with his wife and their three children along the same creek he grew up swimming in. While Jakob remembers cannonballing into pools that teamed with young coho, that stream now goes dry every summer, and instead of swimming, his kids play with powdery rocks. That shift in baselines for what is perceived as “normal” in just one generation has animated his work.Jakob values community, truth, awareness, and grace. He is a clear-eyed optimist, working for resilient human and non-human habitat with tools like strong inference and evolutionary theory. He flies a paraglider, climbs big trees, volunteers with Search and Rescue, plays the fiddle, and once gentled a wild horse, which he took with him to college. He also sings to himself, loves flying kites and can't spell.To learn more about Jakob and Project Beaver, visit their website at:  https://projectbeaver.org/Support the Show.

Embark on a captivating journey of herbal exploration with renowned herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt in our upcoming webinar, "Weeds to Wellness: Strengthening Your Connection to Nature." Join us as we unravel the untold stories of the often-overlooked plants that thrive in your local environment, proving to be powerful allies on your path to well-being and connection to Nature.In this enlightening session, Rosalee will guide you through the transformative potential of seasonal, local herbs – commonly dismissed as 'weeds.' Learn to identify and appreciate the healing and nutritional qualities of these resilient plants right in your own backyard. Discover how these humble herbs can become your partners in fostering a profound connection to Nature, promoting balance and vitality in your life.As we delve into the symbiotic relationship between humans and these resilient plants, Rosalee will share her expertise on seasonal foraging, offering practical tips and personalized insights. Don't miss this unique opportunity to cultivate a deeper connection with Nature, embracing the wellness potential of your yard. Join us and unlock the healing secrets hidden in the seasonal weeds around you!Rosalee de la Forêt is passionate about inspiring people to turn to the healing gifts of medicinal plants and Nature connection.She is a registered herbalist and the author of the bestselling book Alchemy of Herbs: Transforming Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies that Heal and co-author of Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine.Rosalee and her husband live in a log cabin in the northeastern cascades of Washington state, where she's an avid gardener and excels at cuddling up with her cat and her latest knitting project.You can learn more about Rosalee by visiting her website, www.herbalremediesadvice.org, and her Instagram profile.Support the Show.

An insightful webinar featuring Keith Laakkonen, Sanctuary Director at Audubon's corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Southwest Florida.  In this engaging conversation, Keith delves into Corkscrew's unique ecology, focusing on its old-growth cypress, Ghost Orchids, Wood Storks, and the significance of prescribed fire in maintaining the delicate balance of this unique sanctuary. Discover the fascinating history of the Everglades and the impact of development and alteration of this landscape through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.We explore ongoing restoration and conservation efforts in the region and emphasize the crucial role wetlands play in maintaining ecological balance and the health of the entire region. Keith, who grew up in Southwest Florida, also shares his experiences amidst the captivating landscapes, the inspiration that fueled his connection to the land and water, and the journey that led him to his current role.This webinar offers a rare opportunity to connect with the heart of this natural wonder and gain insights into the passion and commitment driving conservation efforts in the area.Keith Laakkonen, as Sanctuary Director of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, oversees the 13,450 acres in the Western Everglades. Leading a dedicated team of 25 people, he focuses on land conservation, research, policy, and public engagement. Laakkonen is Audubon's spokesperson for the Western Everglades. He collaborates closely with Audubon Florida's leadership to reach conservation goals in the region, and he and his team are dedicated to restoring and protecting the Sanctuary's ecology. With over 20 years of environmental management experience, Laakkonen has held distinguished roles, including Director at the 110,000-acre Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and a regional administrator for the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. His accolades include the Guy Bradley award from Audubon Florida, earned during his tenure as the Environmental Sciences Coordinator for the Town of Fort Myers Beach. A Southwest Florida native and avid birder, Laakkonen's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in wildlife ecology from the University of Florida and a master's degree from Florida Gulf Coast University with a focus on sea-level rise policy. His diverse interests encompass watershed management, environmental policy, wildlife ecology, prescribed fire management, hydrologic restoration, exotic plant and animal management, as well as environmental education and outreach.Support the Show.

Join us for this enlightening webinar as Cynthia Jurs shares her story of Sacred Earth Activism and inspires us to ask ourselves this question:How can we bring healing and protection to the Earth? In 1990 Cynthia climbed a path high in the Himalayas to meet an “old wise man in a cave”—a venerated lama from Nepal. In response to her question, the old lama gave her a formidable assignment based on an ancient practice from Tibet: she must procure earth treasure vases made of clay and potent medicines, fill them with prayers and symbolic offerings, and bury them around the world where healing is called for.Ultimately, the path from the wise man's mountain cave winds around the world, bringing Cynthia into relationship with elders, activists, diverse ecosystems and communities. One by one, as the humble clay pots are planted in the Earth, the power of an ancient technology of the sacred comes alive and a global community grows to protect the Earth and learn how to become vessels of healing.As many of us wonder what we can do in this eleventh hour, Cynthia offers a riveting account of one woman's response to the challenges we face, and invites all of us to become “sacred activists” heeding the call of the Earth.Cynthia Jurs became a dharma teacher(Dharmacharya)in the Order of Interbeing of ZenMaster Thich Nhat Hanhin in 1994 and, in 2018, was made an honorary lama in the Vajrayana tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in recognition of her dedication to carrying out the Earth TreasureVase practice. Inspired by thirty years of pilgrimage into diverse communities and ecosystems, today Cynthia is forging a new path of dharma in service to Gaia—a path deeply rooted in the feminine, honoring indigenous cultures, and devoted to collective awakening. Cynthia leads meditations, retreats, courses, and pilgrimages to support the emergence of a global community of engaged and embodied sacred activists. She lives at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico, where she is often found walking in the wilderness with her dog or gardening with her husband. You can find her offerings and join the global healing community at  www.GaiaMandala.netSupport the show

Join us for the third session of our Wetlands Series as we explore the confluence of Water and Earth in sustaining abundant life.  Drawing on her years of work with communities, rivers, and freshwaters worldwide, Earth Elder Myra Jackson will share about her co-creative partnership with water and wetlands as places of wonder, unity, and connection.  These awe-inspiring, unifying spaces foster biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and help sustain life on a global scale.  Immerse yourself in the reciprocal movement between water, a life-giving and dynamic force, and wetlands, which purify our ecosystems. Delving into the intricate relationship between humanity and wetlands, Myra will skillfully guide us to feel our connection with the freshwaters in our own landscapes.As we approach the Spring Wetlands Gratitude Ceremony, let's come together to honor the magic of wetlands and deepen our connection to these vibrant, vital aspects of Nature.  https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/wetlands-gratitude-ceremonyMyra Jackson is an Earth Elder who has held careers in engineering, holographic organizational development and academia. She carries the title of Diplomat of the Biosphere with a primary focus on transforming our societal relationship with Nature through public policy approaches that recognize Nature's intrinsic rights to exist whole along with all Her life forms. She also serves as an expert on the platform of the U.N. Harmony with Nature Program. Her life's work is anchored by her role as an Evocateur of the Sacred and those ideas whose time has come.   Myra participated in the Women Working for the Earth Summit hosted by ONE and has been a webinar guest sharing her highly popular topic, “Nature's Embrace: The Way of True Reparations”. Support the show

Join us for the second session of our Wetlands Series.We talk with Dr. Emily Hite to explore the complex connections between communities and their land and water.  Dr. Hite is a cultural, environmental anthropologist and passionate advocate for environmental sustainability whose research focuses on the intersection of human-water relationships and climate governance. Dr. Hite investigates the far-reaching consequences of damming rivers and how communities and wetlands are intricately linked to the health and vitality of these waterways. We will speak about the importance of maintaining the integrity of rivers and the delicate balance required to sustain both human communities and the diverse ecosystems they rely on.  As part of this conversation, Dr. Hite will share stories of communities working together to maintain an ancestral connection to their waters and land in the face of infrastructure and land development.How did Dr. Hite find her passion for her work, and what is her personal relationship with water? She shares valuable insights from her research and collaboration with the Global River Protection Coalition and her studies in Costa Rica, as well as shed light on the Coalition's ongoing efforts to enhance wetland protections on a global scale. Together, let's empower ourselves with knowledge and contribute to the collective effort to preserve the waters that flow through our world.Dr. Emily Hite is an Assistant Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Saint Louis University. She is also a primary investigator at SLU's Water Institute and serves as a regional co-chair of the Global River Protection Coalition. Her research is focused on understanding human-water relationships and how they are challenged by both climatic changes and climate policy.  A central concern of her research is the justice and equity of the processes of climate governance, with particular interest in how different knowledges, values, and belief systems are integrated into those processes. Dr. Hite works with dam-impacted communities in the United States and throughout Latin America and conducts research at international climate and hydropower meetings to understand local-to-global perspectives. The ultimate aim of her research is to influence more culturally-informed governance that aligns with the principles of climate justice.Support the show

Here we delve into the profound intersections of Wetlands, Indigenous food systems, and the enduring impacts of colonization, featuring the esteemed Dr. Lyla June Johnston. A luminary in her field, Dr. Johnston, a poet, anthropologist, and advocate for Indigenous wisdom, will lead us through an exploration of the intricate relationships between these elements. Lyla June speaks about the significance of Wetlands and highlight their importance in Indigenous cultures and food systems. From her unique perspective, Dr. Johnston shares stories and sustainable practices that have shaped Indigenous food cultures and deep connections and partnerships with the land.As part of this conversation, we also examine the impacts of colonization on Wetlands and Indigenous food systems following the westward expansion of European settlements across Turtle Island. Together, we explore changing perspectives on Wetlands and restoration efforts, as well as movements for reclaiming and revitalizing Indigenous land stewardship and food systems.  This is an incredible opportunity to engage with a visionary leader and gain a deeper understanding of the vital connections between Wetlands, Indigenous food systems, and the ongoing impacts of colonization.  Dr. Lyla June Johnston (aka Lyla June) is an Indigenous musician, author, and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne), and European lineages. Her multi-genre presentation style has engaged audiences across the globe towards personal, collective, and ecological healing. She blends her study of Human Ecology at Stanford, graduate work in Indigenous Pedagogy, and the traditional worldview she grew up with to inform her music, perspectives, and solutions. Her doctoral research focused on the ways in which pre-colonial Indigenous Nations shaped large regions of Turtle Island (aka the Americas) to produce abundant food systems for humans and non-humans.Note:  Slides that she references can be seen in the video recording of this presentation available here:  https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/events-programs/2024/lyla-june-johnstonSupport the show

It's time to rewild ourselves and our dominant worldviews to build earth-centered communities for all. Join us for an illuminating journey with Osprey Orielle Lake, a renowned author, activist, and changemaker, as we delve into the pressing need to rewild ourselves and our dominant worldviews. In a world teetering on the edge of social, environmental, and climate collapse, this webinar offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap to building Earth-centered communities that can thrive.In our exploration, we'll tackle the complex web of interconnected crises, including colonialism, racism, patriarchy, capitalism, and ecocide. By weaving together ecological, mythical, political, and cultural perspectives, Osprey invites us to reconnect with the Earth's lineage and historical memory. Together, we'll explore the delicate threshold between peril and promise.Uncover the collective wisdom passed down by Earth-centered cultures. Gain a deeper understanding of climate justice and systemic challenges. Find inspiration to contribute to the creation of thriving Earth communities. This webinar promises to be a wellspring of hope and a remedy to the prevailing despair of our times. Osprey Orielle Lake is the founder and executive director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN).  She works internationally with grassroots, BIPOC and Indigenous leaders, policymakers, and diverse coalitions to build climate justice, resilient communities, and a just transition to a decentralized, democratized clean-energy future. She sits on the executive committee for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and on the steering committee for the Fossil Free Non-Proliferation Treaty. Osprey's writing about climate justice, relationships with nature, women in leadership, and other topics has been featured in The Guardian, Earth Island Journal, The Ecologist, Ms. Magazine and many other publications. She is the author of the award-winning book Uprisings for the Earth: Reconnecting Culture with Nature. Osprey holds an MA in Culture and Environmental Studies from Holy Names University in Oakland and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area on Coast Miwok lands. To learn more, go to: https://ospreyoriellelake.earthSupport the show

Join us for an insightful webinar as we delve into the inspiring journey of Christina Lynch, a story of reconnecting with her Bajan heritage, her unique upbringing, and the profound influence of her environment on her path to regaining her voice. In this engaging and enlightening discussion, Christina will take you on a journey through her intuitive herbal path, sharing the powerful plant allies that have played a pivotal role in her physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.Christina will also shed light on her current projects aimed at guiding and supporting others on their own paths of self-discovery and healing. You'll gain valuable insights into the practices and resources that have helped her along the way, empowering you to connect the dots in your own life and find your voice.This webinar is a unique opportunity to hear from a passionate and knowledgeable herbalist as she shares her wisdom, stories, and vision for personal and collective healing. Christina Lynch is a growing community herbalist who desires to share her knowledge and passions with those around her. She is a first-generation American, with her lineage deriving from Barbados. Taking a great desire to reconnect to the Earth, continuing the spiritual and physical connections with the Earth as her ancestors once did, her intent is to assist others in starting or continuing their journeys in becoming one with themselves. Christina is the founder of Black Herbalists Alliance, Trydent Consulting, and Gingerly Expressions, an organization focused on intentional creation of herbal products and services, to assist others in starting or continuing their own journeys in becoming one with themselves; and to finance fiscal sponsorship and opportunities to support BIPOC healers.Christina offers herbal programs, herbal classes, and herbal tea blends. She studied under Emily Ruff and Maggie O'Halloran and is an avid tea lover, recovering foodie, and cultural explorer. She is currently on the board of Red Hills Small Farm Alliance, Florida School of Holistic Living and American Herbalists Guild.Support the show

This webinar is part of our end-of-year fundraising campaign. Your contribution makes it possible for ONE to share these educational resources for building co-creative relationships with the Living Earth. You can Donate here and read more about the fundraiser: https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/give-to-thrive 

What does life look like if we live with an awareness of interbeing? How is our relationship with Nature informing our lives today to support a vibrant future?You are invited to join us in discussion with an incredible panel of Nature Evolutionaries, Pam Montgomery, Myra Jackson, Larry Karsteadt, and Lauren Valle as they share their experience of deep kinship with Nature and their vision for a vibrant future.This discussion will be grounded in our present time and our daily lives and you will also be invited to share your perspectives and vision in the meeting chat. From this rich conversation and your input, we will assemble the highlights and essence of our time together in a shared document.

Join natural builder, Sigi Koko, as she shares about working with Nature to create inspired architectural designs and construction from natural materials.  We will explore Sigi's passion and commitment for eco-sensible design and her practical outlook in partnering with Nature in the building of our homes.   Creating in collaboration with our own ecosystems leads to more efficient homes as well as incredibly beautiful, connected spaces.  Mimicking Nature instead of trying to overpower with our will just makes sense to Sigi.Sigi Koko, owner and operator of Down to Earth Design, is one of the most established and prolific architect/builders of natural structures in the United States. Her company, founded in 1998, predominantly serves the mid-Atlantic region of the US and designs strawbale homes and residential-scale commercial structures for their environmentally minded clients. For over 25 years Sigi has been pushing the boundaries of the construction market towards sustainable and environmentally conscious building. She is also a major advocate and educator of natural building techniques, holding workshops and courses for students seeking to learn to build with natural materials. To learn more about Sigi's work visit her website https://buildnaturally.com/ Support the show

What does life look like if we recognize Earth as our kin and Mountains as our ancestors?  Join Dr. John Hausdoerffer as he shares his vision and experience of deep kinship with Nature and talks about how good life can be when we are in a meaningful relationship with our landscapes.  We will honor Mountains in our discussion as wise Elders who can help guide us in being the ancestors we want to see in the future.  Being those ancestors is rooted in the here and now and calls us to enliven values that nourish life for the following generations.   As guardians of Earth, Mountains show us the way.Dr. John Hausdoerffer is an environmental philosopher, teacher, organizational founder, and writer from Gunnison, Colo. He believes that peace between humans begins with a spiritual connection with a just distribution of the “ecosphere” that forms our local and global home. His books “Catlin's Lament“; “Wildness“; and (forthcoming) “What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be?” imagine how environmental health must come from and result in the healing of deep histories of social injustice and cultural trauma. “Dr. John” calls for a new ethic that views all places as part of our home, all generations of all beings as part of our scope of responsibility, and all actions as potential expressions of human care for the world. As he often says, “environmental ethics insists on humans as more than bodies that consume bodies in a global economy, insists that we are wholehearted beings capable of understanding and caring for the complex local and global systems that sustain us.”Throughout his life, Dr. John's dedication to peace has been driven by this question: What does the good life look like once we accept that all places are “here” and all eras are “now”? What does the good life look like if all peoples are considered as part of an equal humanity and if all species are considered as persons?Support the show

What does it mean to propagate Black Joy? To begin, Dr. Chris Omni invites you to think about how we propagate plants. In order to create new plants, the parent plant must be healthy and striving. In the space of propagating Black Joy, Dr. Omni, the parent plant, spent several years on an intentional healing and nature-inspired journey of self-discovery after the passing of her Mama from a 26-year battle with cancer. Seven years later, she is strong, whole, and grounded. Now, Dr. Omni joyfully enters a space of celebrating and growing Black Joy in the lives of other Black people such as Michelle Gunn and Ashley Powell - 2022/2023 Black Joy research mentees from Florida State University who were promoted to interns for the 2023/2024 season. During this webinar, you get to hear directly from these brilliant young leaders.Partner in supporting the  “Black Joy is Lit(erature) Workshop Series”:  a writing workshop and retreat for Black undergraduate students in Floridahttps://www.pledge.to/black-joy-is-lit-erature-retreatDr. Chris Omni, the Black Joy Scholar is a speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, artist, and activist.  Her research explores Nature's influence on the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of Black people and by blending her 25-year background in public health with her foreground in art education, Dr. Omni provides a counter-narrative to the typical deficit lens generally applied to the Black experience.Michelle Gunn is an international affairs student at Florida State University. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she aspires to one day lead a non-profit organization dedicated to solving the issues amongst the Black diaspora. Ashley Powell is a Psychology and  Business student at Florida State University. She is a senior this year and plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master's in business and eventually work in a field where she can utilize both psychology and business.Support the show

Join us in conversation with Lisa Estabrook, artist, author and creator of Soulflower Plant Spirit Oracle deck as she shares her journey with her plant spirit mentors. We will explore the power of intentions, living body wisdom, restoring imagination as a super sense, and conscious creation with the elemental realm. It has always been Lisa's intention to grow herself which means that the plant spirits have continually helped her stretch her comfort zone!  Over the last year or so her gardens have been calling for a new “blueprint" and she is leaning into that and what it can mean for our work in the world.Feeling empowered and listening to and following the wisdom of our own hearts is an ongoing thread that Lisa is sharing with others as she remembers with the help of the plants.   Lisa encourages us all to give ourselves permission to create a life from the inside out rather than the outside in, as so many of us have long been conditioned to do. Lisa Estabrook is an artist, mother, way shower, author, home herbalist and plant whisperer who has spent the last 30 years figuring out how to live a meaningful, heart-led, healthy and joyful life. The creation of the Soulflower Plant Spirit Oracle deck was the result of a two-year long personal journey of self-discovery and healing which also launched her heART based Soulflower business with a growing range of products intended to support and inspire connection with ourselves and our planet. Lisa's belief is that the more we learn about ourselves, and take responsibility for our own healing (wholing) journeys, the more we will empower and support ourselves and by extension our families, our communities and ultimately the Earth herself. The founder of the online CommUNITY Garden, Lisa lives in Yarmouth, Maine.Support the show

Join William Padilla-Brown as we discuss the fascinating relationship between truffles and mammals, and how this connection may have played a key role in the evolution of intelligent life on Earth.It's possible that after the extinction event, which wiped out the dinosaurs, truffles were a vital food source for surviving mammals with their high nutritional content and unique chemical composition.  In fact, researchers suggest that truffles may have been one of the first foods that triggered the part of the neural system responsible for learning and memory, which in turn may have led to increased cognitive function and the evolution of more intelligent mammals.In addition to the incredible history of truffles, William will also discuss the different types of truffles, their distribution, and their unique culinary and cultural significance.   There is great economic and ecological potential with truffle cultivation for many local communities. William Padilla-Brown is a Multidisciplinary Citizen Scientist practicing social science, mycology, phycology, molecular biology, and additive manufacturing. William founded and is the current CEO of MycoSymbiotics, a permaculture research and production business based in Central Pennsylvania focused on innovative, practical applied biological science. William holds Permaculture Design Certificates acquired through Susquehanna Permaculture and NGOZI, and a Certificate from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences for completing their Algal Culturing Techniques Course. William published the first books written in the English language on Cordyceps cultivation. William regularly teaches k-12 classes around the United States, for universities, including Cornell's Small Farms Program, private clubs, and events, as well as offers private consultations. William is constantly in the mix of contemporary ritual in a nuanced modern Urban Shamanism, spending his time vlogging for social media, writing, researching, rapping, singing, and loving his Beautiful Lady Lydia, their son Leo, and baby daughter. William and his work have been featured on Fantastic Fungi, VICE, Buzzfeed, The Verge, Outside Magazine, Civil Eats, Public Goods, The Book “One Earth,” and much more.  Support the show

As we engage in co-creative partnership with Nature, old beliefs and wounds can emerge to be healed. Connecting with trees or water, we become aware that our ability to thrive is predicated on the wellbeing of our kin, both human and more-than-human. In this dance of healing, awakening, and embracing our potential, we realize that our human relations need some attention. Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed, not sure where to start, or even afraid to dig deeper. Dr. Amanda Kemp is a lifelong advocate of justice. As the founder of Racial Justice from the H.E.A.R.T., Amanda has helped over 25,000 people have open-hearted conversations, consciously use their power and practice compassion to cultivate racial justice and authentic community.Over the last several years, Amanda's life and work have been transformed as she has deepened her relationship with Nature, particularly Trees. She now utilizes Earth's intelligence to create transformation that is heart-based, joyful, and regenerative. We can nourish ourselves, our communities, Earth as we engage in the incredible healing work of racial justice.We are deeply honored to have Dr. Amanda Kemp share her wisdom and heart with our community. The gifts that Amanda shares not only help us heal injustice, they also help us have more authentic, connected, and empowered lives.Join us for this transformative hour as we discuss how to create regenerative racial justice by learning from the Earth.To learn more about Amanda's work visit her website here https://www.dramandakemp.com/Support the show

Everyone has an innate ability to consciously communicate with Plants.  Author, and teacher, Jen Frey gives us a taste of the synergistic process of communicating with Plants and how they can help us heal and teach us to trust, forgive, and embrace self-love.  Jen is joined by botanical illustrator, Lillian Edwards, who additionally shares her process in visually bringing forward the essences of plants.   Jen and Lillian recently collaborated on Jen's new book Communicating with Plants:  Heart-Based Practices for Connecting with Plant Spirits.Note this episode references images in the video recording which you can view here.Jen Frey is a Healer, Mentor, and Earth Advocate. She is the Founder of Brigid's Way and is leading the Plant-a-tary Evolution.  Jen is the co-steward of Heart Springs Sanctuary, a living example of how to create a more sustainable future by engaging in co-creative partnership with Nature.  With over 20 years of experience with plant essences, energy work, and herbal practices her private consultations and plant based protocols are known for helping clients through emotional life transitions, physical health crises, and chronic conditions. Jen has dedicated her life to the spiritual path of plant work. Her apprenticeship certification programs, ceremonies, retreats and workshop offerings are designed for people wanting to open their hearts, fall in love with plants and deepen their relationship to the planet. Jen is a Visioning Council member for the Organization of Nature Evolutionaries.You can learn more about her work at: www.brigidsway.comLillian Edwards is a plant spirit healer and visual artist, on a mission to mend the rift between human consciousness and the ever-accessible, loving and wise, presence of Nature's intelligence. Her healing business, Earth Prayer, was birthed from a deep desire to give voice to the Plants, weave Their prayers into writing and art, share flower essences, and serve her local community with plant spirit healing. Lillian has a background in ecological restoration, permaculture design, organic urban farming, and freelance illustration. She is grateful and excited to be involved with ONE, aligned with the organization's work to deepen our collective relationship with the Sacred in all of Life.  Her roots are nestled into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Northern California~ the landscape she calls home.  You can learn more about Lillian at: http://earthprayer.love/Support the show

Join Unangan Elder, Ilarion Merculieff, as he invites you to explore a new way of living, guided by our hearts, with each and every unique heart beating together in the great song of creation. Over ten thousand years ago, Elders at that time knew that a great imbalance was coming, so the original instructions of how to live in harmony as one Earth family were partially hidden by a wave of forgetting to keep them safe. Each group of people had enough wisdom to survive and continue on, but no one people had all of the knowledge once available to them.It is time NOW, many Elders from around the world agree, to reweave the original instructions by coming together and sharing their unique cultural ways that are each a piece in the puzzle with much overlapping wisdom. With Earth's living systems being stressed and dishonored in new extremes, we must come together to weave a new story and new awakened presence as one Earth family in harmony with all of our relations if human beings are to continue on this Earth.About IlarionIlarion (Larry) ‘Kuuyux' Merculieff has decades of experience serving his people, the Unangan (Aleuts) of the Pribilof Islands and other indigenous peoples in a number of capacities—locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. For his entire career, Merculieff has been a passionate advocate for indigenous rights/wisdom, and harmonious relationship with the Earth Mother. His reach has been broad and varied.Close to Merculieff's heart are issues related to cultural and community wellness, traditional ways of living, Elder wisdom, climate change and the environment. Having had a traditional upbringing, Merculieff has been, and continues to be, a strong voice and activist calling for the meaningful application of traditional knowledge and wisdom obtained from Elders in Alaska and throughout the world in dealing with modern day challenges. He founded and currently heads the Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways, and is a chief consultant and member in several other board councils. His present work revolves much around the council of Elders he co-founded, called the Wisdom Weavers of the World,  to bring the messages of Elders from throughout the world to global attention.  With a solid background as a community, business and environmental leader, Ilarion's later years reflect both this lifelong career path as well as the fulfilment of his cultural role as Kuuyux, or traditional messenger for the Unangan people.Support the show

“Remember, you are not alone as you gather herbs. Birds, butterflies, insects, other animals, and elemental beings may be nearby, sometimes visible and sometimes not.”— DEB SOULEIn this webinar, Deb Soule shares her journey following the southern migration of the ruby-throated hummingbird, and what inspired her. Deb and Pam will also discuss how herbal gardens offer sanctuary for pollinators. Flowering plants and trees, hedgerows and pathways, arbors and benches, altars and bells add magical dimensions into a healing garden. A diversity of plants, blooming throughout the gardening season encourages a diversity of pollinators and birds.. The biodynamic approach that Deb uses at Avena Botanical gardens helps create a sacred environment for all beings that enter the gardens. Deb Soule is an herbalist, gardener, teacher, and author of The Woman's Handbook of Healing Herbs, How to Move Like a Gardener and The Healing Garden. Deb began organic gardening and studying the medicinal uses of herbs at age 16. Her faith in the healing qualities of plants includes a desire to make organic herbs easily accessible to women and families living in rural areas. In the fall of 1985, with her first mail-order catalog and a small selection of herbal extracts and teas, Deb launched Avena Botanicals, an apothecary that now serves thousands of customers. Deb has a special connection to the hummingbirds and has traveled part of the migratory path.Pam Montgomery has been investigating plants and their intelligent spiritual nature for more than three decades. As an author, teacher, and practitioner she has passionately embraced her role as a spokesperson for the plants who are guiding us in our spiritual evolution. She is the author of Partner Earth; A Spiritual Ecology and the best-selling Plant Spirit Healing; A Guide to Working with Plant Consciousness. She teaches internationally on plant spirit healing, spiritual ecology, and people as Nature Evolutionaries. Her latest research is on the light and sound of plants which are foundational means of communication in the biological world. Pam is the founder of ONE.  She has dedicated herself to co-creative partnership with all of life and feels the Organization of Nature Evolutionaries is a way to make this partnership manifest.Support the show

Join Syren Nagakyrie, founder of Disabled Hikers, in a discussion about their experience in navigating the natural world through the lens of disability. They have found both exclusion and comfort in outdoor spaces, noting that even though “the outdoors has been a place that I can retreat to,” there are many barriers for disabled folks in getting outside. Access issues, lack of reliable information, and gatekeeping are all consistent problems.Disabled Hikers is an entirely Disabled-led organization. They celebrate disabled people's experiences in the outdoors and help facilitate those experiences with information, resources, and events, including trail guides and group hikes.  They are also committed advocates for justice, access, and inclusion and work with parks, organizations, brands, and more. Disabled Hikers challenge the dominant narrative of who is considered to be valid and which experiences matter in the outdoors.Syren (they/them) is an activist, writer, community organizer and outdoor enthusiast. They have become a leading advocate and expert voice in making the outdoors more inclusive and accessible for the disabled community and others that are underrepresented. Syren grew up with multiple disabilities and chronic illnesses, including Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. They also live with depression, anxiety, and CPTSD. In their mid-twenties, when Syren started hiking and exploring what their body could and couldn't do in the outdoors, they found a lack of infrastructure, support, and resources for the disabled community. It's not enough to know whether or not a trail is wheelchair/ADA accessible. How exposed is it? What's the grade? Are there crossings? How slick is it? Is there cell service in case of emergency?Syren founded Disabled Hikers in 2018 with four main goals: organizing group hikes, celebrating disabled people's experiences, facilitating those experiences by making specific information available, and advocating for change in the outdoors. Syren is now working on hiking guidebooks for disabled hikers with Falcon Guides, a leading publisher of guidebooks.For more information and links visit:https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/teleseminars-1/2023/syren-nagakyrieSupport the show

Connecting to the seasons and natural rhythms of the earth offers us a path to spiritual wisdom and a sense of groundedness and peace. Remembering that we are created from the same elements as earth and stardust helps us connect to the Divine within and recognize our place in the boundless web of life. Embracing the energy of Springtime can be a catalyst for nurturing our own growth. The spring equinox, when day and night are equal lengths, is a time of balance, renewal, and welcoming new life into the world. Depending on where you are on the planet it can be a time to notice the sap flowing, the ice breaking up and the buds swelling to prepare to burst forth into the healing green and colors of spring. We can take time to pause and honor the places in ourselves that still long for the inward contemplativeness of winter and the parts of us that are ready to blossom forth with new growth and purpose. These are Lynn Unger's words from her poem, Camas Lilies.“And you — what of your rushed anduseful life? Imagine setting it all down —papers, plans, appointments, everything,leaving only a note: “Gone to the fieldsto be lovely. Be back when I'm throughwith blooming.”Let's take time to drink in this spring energy with a sense of joyfulness and celebration. Allowing ourselves to explore the places in ourselves that want to burst forth, be lovely, and revel in place in the Divine creation. Spring is a time of hope and renewal, a time to celebrate the beauty and sweetness of life.NANCY PHILLIPS is an herbalist, holistic health coach, yoga/Ayurveda instructor, and small-scale farmer. She delights in supporting people on their path to finding more peace, joy, and vitality. Her heart's desire is to support people in connecting more deeply to the Divine within and without. She and her husband, Michael, have lovingly tended Heartsong Farm & Wellness Center, an herb farm, organic apple orchard, and educational center for over 30 years. She and Michael co-authored The Herbalist Way: The Art and Practice of Healing with Plant Medicines. Nancy offers consultations, workshops, grower's intensives, and healing retreats at their farm in Northern NH.Visit Nancy at  https://HeartsongFarmWellness.com Support the show

“Wild, uninhibited love is the single force powerful enough to send us head over heels, out of our minds and into our bodies; to bring us home to our senses. These enchantments ~ the same magic used by the flower who seduces a honey bee to carry pollen for his petalled love ~ hope to entice you to love the world in ways you have forgotten.”  — SHARIFA OPPENHEIMERJoin us in discussion with renowned teacher and author, Sharifa Oppenheimer about the reflection of Sacred Earth and Sacred Self, mirroring our inner and outer worlds. We will explore this connection especially in deepening our kinship with Nature.“Come close ~ lie down in the generous arms of the wild. She is exhilarating, nurturing, dangerous, essential. She is life. She is calling you:Come to love.Come fall awake.Come hold all of my cascading beautymy aching fragility.”-Sharifa Oppenheimer from a Litany of Wild Graces:  Meditations on Sacred Ecology If it's possible for you, please have paper and a pencil, crayons, or markers present during the webinar. Sharifa Oppenheimer was the founding teacher of the Charlottesville Waldorf School and is the author of the best-selling book Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children and its companion workbook How To Create The Star of your Family Culture. She recently wrote With Stars in Their Eyes: Brain Science and Your Child's Journey Toward the Self.After writing extensively from her experience, wisdom, and love of young children, she has turned her hand toward writing about other aspects of profound connection. She has been a student of Sufism for many decades and has deep respect for other indigenous wisdom traditions which point humanity toward the sacred nature of the living earth. She offers Sacred Earth ~ Sacred Self gatherings that explore humanity's biological and spiritual inter-being with our other-than-human relations. Her new book A Litany of Wild Graces: Meditations on Sacred Ecology (Red Elixir Press, April 2022) explores these themes through essays, poetry, and litany. The mother of three grown sons and grandmother to many grandchildren, she lives with her husband in an enchanted forest in Virginia.Support the show

Are we stuck in an archaic view of an ecosystem that keeps people and Nature separate?  How do we foster ecosystem repair AND community healing?  This month's featured webinar guest, Layel Camargo, has deeply explored these topics and will share their experience as a person dedicated to restoring our diverse relationship with Nature.Over the last few years, Layel has been involved in stewarding an organization called Shelterwood, a 900-acre forest and former church camp right above what's called the Russian River in Sonoma County, California, on Unceded Kashaya and Southern Pomo territory.  Shelterwood is a Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ-led community forest and retreat center, healing people and ecosystems through active stewardship and community engagement. As a collective of land and community protectors, they model how ecosystem health can only be achieved by communities who are in deep relationship with the Earth and with one another. They are dedicated to enriching the waterways, filling the food baskets, quickening the forests, rematriating laughter, painting the future, rewilding hearts, and healing people.Layel Camargo (they/them)  is an indigenous descendant of the Yaqui and Mayo tribes of the Sonoran Desert and is an advocate for the better health of the planet and its people. Layel is a transgender and gender non-conforming person. They graduated from UC Santa Cruz with dual degrees in Feminist Studies and Legal Studies. Layel is an organizer with the Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective and is also the founder of ‘Woke n Wasteless‘ an online platform on waste reduction and people of color issues. Layel is a builder & a novice carpenter by way of taking classes in the Carpentry department at Laney Community College and has worked on building tiny homes for homeless people in the bay area, CA. Layel is also a big advocate of spreading the Just Transition Framework in the arts and an advocate of both low waste/low impact lifestyles. Most recently, Layel was named on the Grist 2020 Fixers List. Layel is also a staff member at Movement Generation's Justice and Ecology ProjectSupport the show

Join us for a discussion about cultivating resilience and liberation with Nina Simons, Bioneers' Co-Founder and author of Nature, Culture and the Sacred: A Woman Listens for Leadership.Nina shares her personal learning and extensive experience with women's leadership development and its importance in reconnecting and defending people, Nature, and the land, both practically and spiritually.From shedding self-limiting beliefs to leading from the heart, Nina offers inspiration for anyone who aspires to grow into their own unique form of leadership with joy and connection to the natural world.   About NinaNina Simons is the co-founder and Chief Relationship Officer at Bioneers, and leads its Everywoman's Leadership program. Bioneers is a nonprofit that uses media, convening, and connecting to lift up visionary and practical solutions for many of our most pressing social and ecological challenges, revealing a regenerative and equitable future that's within our reach today. Nina is a social entrepreneur who is passionate about reinventing leadership, restoring the feminine, and co-creating a healthy, peaceful, and equitable world for all. She speaks and teaches internationally and co-facilitates transformative workshops and retreats for women who share practices for regenerative leadership through reclaiming wholeness and relational mindfulness. Throughout her career spanning the nonprofit, social entrepreneurship, corporate, and philanthropic sectors, Nina has worked with nearly a thousand diverse women leaders across disciplines, race, class, age, orientation, and more to create conditions for mutual learning and leadership development. She produces and speaks at large-scale events to work intimately to help small, diverse groups of women leaders knit together to strengthen each other's work pursuing intersectional healing and ecological justice.Visit our website for the video recording.  To learn more about Nina's work, visit her website or Bioneers.Support the show

Most humans alive today have been taught that we live on the Earth. This form of positionality relative to Mother Earth is a corruption of our actual relationship that has occluded our sense of interrelatedness, interconnectedness and interdependence within the web of life.The dominant and pervasive human consciousness operative is abnormal when a view of Earth, including her body and life forms, is seen as property and assets for one's full use and enjoyment without impunity.And yet, Nature's embrace is fulsome and surprisingly resilient.We do not live on the Earth - we live embedded within a nourishing mantle of gases, light and biota calibrated to flourish as a living planetary Being. We are being deeply called to recognize that the debris field of a dissolving paradigm that can no longer be sustained and maintained is evidence of emergence and that which brings forth true reparations that enables the blossoming of humanity.Walk with Myra as she shares a few field notes on the invitation before us all to RISE whole.About MyraEarth Elder, Myra L. Jackson has held a diverse array of hefty careers in engineering, holographic organizational development and academia. While those experiences might seem divergent from her deep mystical roots, she found that her early training in electrical theory, physics and music informed her inner and outer life. Today, that training provides useful metaphorical language in discussing the physics of now that points to our intrinsic bond with Nature.Today, Myra carries the title of Diplomat of the Biosphere with a primary focus on transforming our societal relationship with Nature through public policy approaches that recognize Nature's intrinsic rights to exist whole along with all Her lifeforms. In listening to the Earth, Myra strives to fully realize the aspirational premise of the luminous thread she carries.Support the show

There is a strong relationship between the land and our interior landscapes. When we are connected to the land, we're connected to ourselves, and one another.Hillary will share how art can be a bridge helping us to reconnect with land, ourselves, and our Ancestral lineages, ultimately helping to re-weave ourselves into the web of life. She will discuss her own creations which bring together materials and processes that express the union of humanity and the physical world. Hillary states, “Stitching, like agriculture, can be functional-- a technical solution to join materials/a means of survival-- or, both can be done purely in service of the soul, lifting the spirit through beauty and wonder.”Hillary Waters Fayle is an Artist and Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she directs the fiber/textile program. She has previously taught at the Appalachian Center for Craft (TN), Penland School of Craft (NC), the Mediterranean Art & Design Program (Italy) and Yasar University (Turkey) and was recently awarded residencies at Oak Spring Garden Foundation (VA) and Bazart Textile (France). Her work is in the permanent collections of the Burchfield Penney Art Center in Buffalo, NY, United States Embassy to Sri Lanka, Colombo, the Kalmthout Arboretum & Botanical Gardens in Belgium and the US Embassy in Tangiers, Algeria. Recent professional projects include collaborations with Grace Farms Foundation (Ct), Thoreau Farms Trust (Ma), Domestika (Spain), L'Occitane en Provence (Switzerland), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (France), and the New York Botanical Garden. A public installation in collaboration with the AKG Museum can be seen year round in Buffalo, NY. More information and images of Hillary's work can be found here on ONE's website. Support the show

Mitakuye Oyasin is a Lakota philosophy that roughly translates to "we are all related" or "all my relations." It recognizes one's relationship and responsibility to all living things and reminds us to always consider how our behaviors and actions impact the life around us. Unsurprisingly, this philosophy is at odds with colonialism and the capitalist notions of "me" over "we." This discussion will review the universal and practical applications of Mitakuye Oyasin and how humans can cultivate kinship with the life, space, and time around them in ways that reject Western bootstrap/individualistic theories and acknowledge and affirm Indigenous people, values, and practices. Taté Walker is a Lakota citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. They are an award-winning Two Spirit storyteller for outlets like "The Nation," "Everyday Feminism," "Native Peoples," "Indian Country Today," "Apartment Therapy," and "ANMLY." They are also featured in several anthologies, including "FIERCE: Essays by and about Dauntless Women," "South Dakota in Poems," W.W. Norton's "Everyone's an Author," and "The Languages of Our Love: An Indigenous Love and Sex Anthology" (forthcoming Summer 2022). Taté recently released their first full-length, illustrated poetry book, "The Trickster Riots" (Abalone Mountain Press, 2022). Learn more at jtatewalker.com.Taté and ONE have also collaborated to get "The Trickster Riots" out to Lakota youth through The Cheyenne River Youth Project.  You can contribute here through October 30th.  Link: https://www.pledge.to/getting-the-trickster-riots-out-to-lakota-youth-9078 or Text TRICKSTER to 707070 to donateSupport the show

A great episode with Chris Omni, eco-spiritualist, Black Women's health researcher, writer, and filmmaker in celebration and exploration of Black Joy in Green Spaces.  Here is your invitation from ChrisGreetings, Souls of Love and Light! You are warmly invited to join me, Chris Omni, as we hold space with and for one another and journey into a world of Black Joy in Green Spaces. In this new world, we will bear witness to the 2022 TEDx Talk, Granny's Garden: Growing Black Joy, followed by an intimate conversation about how this journey started, where it is now, and where it is going.In addition to the Divine Timing of this webinar, we will collectively celebrate the eve of the National Black Joy Day! Yesssss, there is such a day! Your presence at this webinar will be one of the many ways to recognize this beautiful holiday while spreading awareness of this movement to provide a counter story to the typical deficit narrative that is generally associated with Black people.If you are ready to honor the lived experiences of Black people, I invite you to read the following poetic theorization of Black Joy. Read it to yourself and then read it out loud. Make people ask you… What is Black Joy?Black Joy is a Statement Black Joy is a StrideBlack Joy is PermissionBlack Joy is PrideBlack Joy is a form of ResistanceBlack Joy is a form of RestBlack Joy is ANYTHING you need it to bebecause Black Joy is truly the best!Chris Omni is an eco-spiritualist, two-timeTEDx speaker, three-time First Place 3-MT (3-Minute Thesis) Winner, Black women's health researcher, published author, documentary filmmaker, internationally recognized nature writer, community mobilizer, and former health motivation columnist. Chris holds a bachelor's degree in Human Services and two master's degrees - Public Health and Liberal Arts. Chris is a doctoral candidate at Florida State University where she is researching Black Joy in Green Spaces through the methodologies of auto-ethnography, narrative inquiry, photo-elicitation, and nomadic inquiry. Most recently, Chris's TEDx Talk, “Granny's Garden: How to Grow Black Joy,” featured the first, public, poetic theorizing of Black Joy! (https://youtu.be/PScP5BcKsxU).Chris deeply values the unapologetic use of her voice and agency to speak life, love, and Light to all people with a particular emphasis on Black people. She views her body as a vessel that has not only delivered life but receives life in the form of lessons and abilities from the Ancestors. As others have stated, “Chris Omni is a whole vibe!”Support the show

We are happy to welcome Sharifa Oppenheimer, author of A Litany of Wild Graces: Meditations on Sacred Ecology! She shares with us not only her poems and essays, but also the process of transformation she underwent as she wrote this new book of love for the wild and tender Earth.  She experienced an ever deepening understanding of Gaia and the countless beings, landforms, waters, and winds that compose Her living body. Through her gift of these poems, she inspires us to go out into the emerald earth ~ to touch, smell, listen, taste ~ to forge friendships with our more-than-human neighbors.Sharifa Oppenheimer was the founding teacher of the Charlottesville Waldorf School and is the author of the best-selling book Heaven on Earth: A Handbook for Parents of Young Children and its companion workbook How To Create The Star of your Family Culture. She recently wrote With Stars in Their Eyes: Brain Science and Your Child's Journey Toward the Self.After writing extensively from her experience, wisdom, and love of young children, she has turned her hand toward writing about other aspects of profound connection. She has been a student of Sufism for many decades and has deep respect for other indigenous wisdom traditions which point humanity toward the sacred nature of the living earth. She offers Sacred Earth ~ Sacred Self gatherings that explore humanity's biological and spiritual inter-being with our other-than-human relations. Her new book A Litany of Wild Graces: Meditations on Sacred Ecology (Red Elixir Press, April 2022) explores these themes through essays, poetry, and litany. The mother of three grown sons and grandmother to many grandchildren, she lives with her husband in an enchanted forest in Virginia.https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/teleseminars-1/2022/sharifa-oppenheimerSupport the show

Krista Nelson is on a mission to share what she's learned about the power of nature to acknowledge loss, soothe grief, quiet fear, and nurture the seed of peace, love, and optimism; a process of transformation and manifestation.Many people have lost innocence, relationships, jobs, titles, property, and in the COVID-19 pandemic, a lifestyle. As a collective, we've experienced loss due to climate change, racial injustice, sexism, ageism, and disease.Cultivating an intimate relationship with Nature elements is powerful medicine you don't need a prescription for and access is as close as your own breath.Krista Nelson, an African American single mother of five is an author, mentor and nature whisperer. She lives in Eastern Pennsylvania and works as a life coach helping artists, executives, teachers, advocates, environmentalists, and feminists connect with nature elements to support their leadership abilities. As a Silver Lining Sentinel, she helps as many people as possible see their personal silver linings by falling in love with nature.Krista has written several books including, “My Secret Barack: Crowning The King” and “Create Your Dream Life in 6 Steps or Less”. In 2015 she was selected as a featured author in the 31st annual Celebration of Black Writing festival sponsored by The Art Sanctuary in Philadelphia. Krista was both presenter and panelist for The Tomorrow People Organization's 2021 & 2022 International Conference on Spirituality and Psychology.To view the video recording and links to Krista's videos and work, please visit our website here: https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/teleseminars-1/2022/krista-nelsonSupport the show

Following in the footsteps of Germany's Bard, Goethe, Maureen will share his 7 step method which is a protocol for studying natural phenomena. We will learn how to breathe into what Goethe referred to as the "Life-filled Giving”. This will be applied to the study of dynamic images of plants and the living principle of how a plant/living being manifests its unique Essence.This approach brings a true recognition that plants have an inherent Cosmic connection to their Eternal Essence in the Cosmos. With examples of plant studies to illustrate how this can connect to the Eternal Nature of our own spiritual being. Prepare to have your mind blown as we answer the call to connect to our own inner world on what Goethe called "The Human Journey of Universal Oneness"!In this episode Maureen uses visual aids.  To view the video recording and see the slides, please visit our website here:  https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/teleseminars-1/2022/maureen-robertsonAbout MaureenMaureen Robertson has almost 30 years of experience working with herbs as a Medical Herbalist, Herbal Educator & Herb grower. She co-founded the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine in 1992 offering courses from introductory to professional training at BSc and MSc degree level.At the same time that she encountered Goethe's way of studying "the Holy Open Book of Nature" as shared by Rudolf Steiner and she also discovered an approach of wholeness to studying plants, landscape, and natural phenomena that have continued to inspire. She developed a clinical application of Goethe's method which shaped her herbal practice, the plant studies she shares, and the way she supports the healing process for the people she works with.In 2012 she established the Herbal Apprenticeship at Drimlabarra Herb Farm, Isle of Arran, Scotland which she ran for 4 years before relocating to Portugal in 2014 where she runs the Herbal Path programs.For the last 4 years she has been immersed in studying Medical Astrology and now integrates this fascinating and birth right knowledge into her practice. Support the show

Our relationship with plants dives deep into our psyche. Surely, it is coded in our ancestral DNA. Cultures throughout the world have always turned to plants to heal the mind and heart, both as medicinal herbs and energetically. Plants guide the individual, but also family and community, to work together towards the highest good in the future. Each one carries its signature healing message that is reflected in its form, function, and sacred geometry. Much of this plant symbolism is still strongly embedded in our spiritual practices and seasonal celebrations. We can open this gateway to hear what the plants are teaching us—and make the world a better place with nature as our ally. Kathi Keville has written 15 books and over 150 articles for national magazines. An internationally known herbalist, aromatherapist, forager, and avid organic gardener, she is highly recognized in the natural products industry. Kathi is the Director of the American Herb Association, a founding member of the American Herbalist Guild, and was granted honorary membership to the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy and American Aromatherapy Association for her pioneering work.Kathi's Green Medicine Herb School offers a year-round herbal program in Nevada City, California. The beautifully landscaped herb gardens showcase 500 species of medicinal and aromatic plants from around the world. Kathi also teaches at institutions, symposiums, herb schools, and retreats throughout the US. These have included the University of California, Omega Institute, Blue Sky Education Foundation, and International Herb Symposiums. She also leads an annual Aroma-Herbalism Journey to Tuscany.Kathi presents herb healing and gardening information on her Garden Forum KVMR radio show. She also co-hosted a 15-part TV series Everybody Nose for Dish TV that featured her gardens. In addition, she previously co-owned and managed a commercial, organic herb farm and herb products company. She is currently working on up-coming books about essential oils and the herbalist-mystic, Hildegard of Bingen.You can follow Kathi on Facebook and Instagram and visit her web site at www.ahaherb.comSupport the show

What can we (as in you and I) do about climate change and our rapidly shifting landscapes?  The water cycle of our planet is being severely disturbed, from the tops of our watersheds to the river mouths feeding the oceans.  This is leading to increased drought, desertification, flooding, water scarcity, collapse of ecosystem function, disease, crop loss, etc – which, when they occur, are called “natural” disasters.  However, there is nothing natural about these disturbances; rather, it is the direct result of short-sighted land stewardship.This feedback loop is not only preventable but reversible through improved management of and cooperation with natural systems.  Decentralized water retention landscapes - returning the water to the earth that is otherwise being diverted by human development - provides a proven and effective method for enhancing the cycling of water in the landscape, reversing desertification, stabilizing climate change, and improving water availability and quality; all while increasing productivity and vitality for both humans and nature. In this presentation Zach Weiss will share both the context for the larger water-ecological issues at hand, as well as real-world stories of the solutions and approaches that can effect change and create incredible possibilities for Restoration and Regeneration. Zach Weiss - Protégé of revolutionary Austrian farmer Sepp Holzer, Zach is the first person to earn Holzer Practitioner certification directly from Sepp - through a rigorous two-year apprenticeship. This led to the creation of Elemental Ecosystems to provide an action-oriented process to improve clients' relationship with their land. The firm specializes in water retention landscapes that harvest rain to create naturally productive ecosystems. Through Elemental Ecosystems Zach has worked in more than 25 different countries on 6 continents, spanning a wide range of climates, contexts, land-forms and ecosystems. After a decade of experience in the field, Zach is now creating an online educational platform called Water Stories, to bring these approaches and techniques to the masses, in order to revive the health of our planet. You can learn more at www.WaterStories.comSupport the show (https://www.natureevolutionaries.com/donations)