Earth Month
Offerings from Lindsey Baldwin/ Isabel Cole/Maya Galimidi/ Reading Recommendations/ Spring RēTreat
Welcome to April and Earth Month! Earth Month is a special time of year dedicated to raising awareness and taking action for the protection and preservation of our planet. This month serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address environmental issues and promote environmental sustainability. Earth Month provides an opportunity for people to come together and engage in activities tree plantings, beach cleanups, recycling drives, and educational campaigns to learn more about the importance of sustainable living. The goal is by participating in Earth Month, we can collectively work towards creating a greener, more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations. But it is a truly a time to reflect on our own daily habits and make conscious choices that reduce our ecological footprint, conserve resources, and protect the Earth’s natural wonders. Collaboration is key to making meaningful impact. At Rē we are focusing on our Amesbury Garden/ Healthy Soils project and turning towards our Tennessee partners who are reengaging. We are so grateful that you have chosen to be a part of our community and work towards a more sustainable and just world.
Take Good Care,
The Rē Team
In the Garden with Isabel~
As you recall my name is Isabel and I am a gardener doing a project here in Amesbury MA with Rē. I am thrilled to get you up to date on what I’m working on. Currently, we are in the process of procuring supplies and organizing the gardens. We are also collaborating with our community partners to obtain approval for the design of the downtown plot. Meanwhile, at the Camp Kent Garden, we have already begun preparing the plot and planting seedlings with the help of Christina, the caretaker. In the coming weeks, we will be receiving a delivery of three yards of compost, which will require community support for spreading. Additionally, we need to turn over more sod in the plot to prepare the ground for the compost. Once we have the information about the compost delivery, we will have a volunteer day.
To keep our volunteers informed and engaged, we plan to send out a newsletter approximately once a month, featuring volunteer opportunities and garden updates. If you have any questions or know of others who would like to volunteer please feel free to email me at isa6elcole@gmail.com. For photos and updates about our gardens, you can follow us on Instagram at @regenerativeschoolgarden.
Have a lovely weekend!
Isabel
A Moment with Lindsey Baldwin~
Owner & Therapist at Nature & Nurture Support Services
Reading Our Nervous System
Recently, a friend and I had a brilliant idea to start a book club. We’d been sweating it out in the sauna at our local gym, fueled on endorphins and gabbing, and decided it’d be fun to gather a gaggle of women for connection and uplifting one another through stories.
“You come up with the first book,” my friend encouraged.
“Sure!” came my dehydrated early-morning cry.
A text exchange of change-maker women who were driven in different capacities to build businesses, be supportive parents, and work in helping professions was born.
The following week, I was on a Zoom call with a Harvard Medical School training for counselors and a book on immigration, lauding a Pulitzer Prize was suggested.
“This is it,” I thought. “The perfect change-making book for this inspirational group of women.”
I texted the group and a resilient confirmation reverberated back.
One week later, book in hand, I dove into the heartfelt story. It did exactly what I wanted it to do: opened my eyes to the injustices of immigration, border crossings, and forced me to step into a world far away from my privileged New England life.
As I read, the story morphed into indescribable atrocities against immigrant children, migrating their way to a better life in the U.S., only to be met with extreme violence, loss, disintegration of family systems, corruption, abuse, and rape.
I could feel my nervous system collapsing like the government systems described in the book.
I texted a far-too-late trigger warning and apologized for callously suggesting a book I hadn’t read yet.
My body braced as I read on. I chastised myself that this was necessary information and ignorance is as much of an injustice to the inhumanity in this world.
My heart pounded, my palms swamped in sweat, and my stomach clenched through each page turn. My nervous system shifted to override, and I could feel the trauma leaping off the page. I bore through and finished the book.
Was forcing my body through to check the box of completion the right answer? Was I paying enough attention to the process and the effect it had on me or had I bypassed my bodily wisdom?
My internal compass resounds that somatic check-ins; noticing my body responses is a better approach. When I’m activated or outside my window of tolerance, a bath or nature walk may be in order, or maybe a Netflix stand-up comedian. If my system is in over-ride, I know to strengthen my walls of protection because my pain-body has a threshold and to be overrode does not help myself, relationships, systematic oppression or the world.
The book club convened, and we tried to digest the undigestible. We navigated feelings of helplessness and held space for one another. It was tough, touching and necessary after reading something so difficult. It reaffirmed to me what the intention was: to find support with others.
A Word from Maya~
Maya Galimidi with Empower with Nature
I am delighted to introduce myself as Maya Galimidi, Rē and myself have been collaborating for years, and I am thrilled about our latest collaboration with Rē. It's a privilege to contribute to the growth of Rē, which is undergoing a transformative phase in its journey towards establishing an academic education program. Drawing upon years of experience in academic knowledge, community development and global research, with a particular emphasis on participatory research methodologies, embodied education and reconnection to land Re is poised at an exciting juncture.
I am honored to be part of this pivotal moment, where we can amalgamate our collective knowledge, experiences, practices, and wisdom to craft an academic education path that embodies the future of education. Currently, we are actively engaged in research and preparation for the development of this revolutionary academic education program.
Warm wishes,
Maya
1. "Cool: Women Leaders Reversing Global Warming" by Paola Gianturco and Avery Sangster is a powerful book that highlights the efforts of women leaders in combating global warming. Through inspiring stories and captivating photographs, the book showcases the innovative solutions and grassroots initiatives implemented by these women to address climate change. It offers a compelling narrative of how women are playing a pivotal role in creating a sustainable and environmentally conscious future for our planet.
2. "Rising" by Elizabeth Rush is a thought-provoking and urgent book that explores the impacts of sea-level rise on coastal communities around the world. Through meticulous research and personal narratives, Rush delves into the complex social, economic, and environmental consequences of climate change. The book offers a deeply empathetic and comprehensive examination of how rising sea levels are reshaping our world and calls for immediate action to address this pressing global issue.
3. "Losing Earth: A Recent History" is a thought-provoking book by Nathaniel Rich that delves into the efforts to address climate change in the 1980s. Rich masterfully narrates the story of scientists, policymakers, and activists who recognized the threat of global warming and attempted to take action. However, the book also highlights the missed opportunities, political hurdles, and societal inaction that ultimately led to the failure to address climate change effectively.
4. "Climate Optimism" by Zahra Biabani is an empowering and hopeful book that explores the potential solutions and positive actions being taken to combat climate change. Biabani paints a vivid picture of inspiring individuals, innovative technologies, and grassroots movements that are making a difference in the fight against global warming. Through her insightful analysis and uplifting storytelling, Biabani encourages readers to believe in the collective power of humanity to create a sustainable and thriving future for our planet.
5. The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss is a beloved children's book that tells the story of a creature called the Lorax who speaks for the trees. The book highlights the importance of environmental conservation and the consequences of greed and industrialization. With its whimsical illustrations and rhyming text, "The Lorax" serves as a timeless reminder to protect and preserve our natural world for future generations.
Rē’Awaken Day Rē’Treat
Unpack history and connect with mother earth. Enjoy this day RēTreat surrounded by the beauty of Alnoba in Kensington, NH. Practice Ayurvedic wisdom, practice yoga, meditate and practice circular time rituals. Join us for a day of Remembrance, Reconciliation, and Indigenous Healing.
Date: Saturday, May 18th, 2024 Time: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm ET
Registration fee: Full Day $225 USD,
Half Day $110 USD
Scholarship Options Available!
Last date to Register May 1st, 2024.
Email us at admin@regenerativeschool.org for more info.