The much-respected, very humble US poet, writer, and farmer-philosopher Wendell Berry passed away at 92 on my birthday this Monday. Above is one of his best-loved poems, offering solace to so many, especially to those working for a better world. Yet his life's work was so much about health in the widest possible sense; perhaps we might say he understood wellbeing as a continuum across life.

In the mid-90s, just new to living in Ireland and for my early work with Crann on native tree planting in Ireland, I was so struck by an extract he wrote that I put in an early Crann (Irish native tree newsletter). It was about a 'Good Forest Economy'. That single page stayed with me, all through my Crann work, then later work advocating closer-to-nature permanent forestry, and later doctoral work to understand the challenges and promise of ecological insights to reimagine forestry and creative practice, to foster a life-affirming culture overall.
​I looked at Wendell's extract again in my doctoral research and for an invitation to choose a favourite text for The Dock art centre during lockdown in 2020. Because I found that I had overlooked that Berry was a great listener, as many good writers are. His ideas of good forestry were not entirely his own but arose from respectful conversations he had with people from the Menominee Nation, who to this day maintain eco-cultural practices, relevant to their place, on how to think and tend their forests for at least hundreds of years into the future
​Through my ecological forestry work, I also have the great pleasure to know Menominee are helping Māori in my home country of Aotearoa New Zealand to help them toward wiser forestry. Thank you, Wendell, for bringing such traditional knowledge (now included in many UN biodiversity guidelines), and such solace through your poetry, to so many of us involved in contributing to the Ecological Turn, the great, much-needed cultural shift we so need to cultivate, so all survives and thrives.

Dear Reader,
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We hope you are feeling at peace and are well, as in the late Wendell Berry's much-loved poem above.
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As we move through this summer of accelerating unravelling, of Earth’s systems, conflict, and injustice, it’s clearer than ever: ecoliteracy, compassion, and community aren’t just important; they’re essential.
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​These values also thread through the ethos of Haumea Ecoversity. Right now, we are delighted to share a limited-time opportunity to join Haumea Ecoversity, a member of the global Ecoversities Alliance, where we’re modelling the shift toward place-based, holistic learning.
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​Do read on, as I'm also offering a one-off gift to celebrate my 60th birthday too.

Why Join ꩜Haumea Ecoversity?

Because ecoliteracy is for everyone.

At Haumea Ecoversity, our members—artists, musicians, curators, educators, researchers, farmers, growers, regenerative practitioners, change-makers and cultural leaders—come together to reconnect with Earth, each other, and their own creativity.

Haumea Ecoversity is part of the international Ecoversities Alliance.
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Our 7-year journey, which has supported several hundred people, is echoed by 400 plus ecoversities in 40 countries that have emerged in just the last decade. This includes the UK’s well-respected Schumacher College, founded in 1991, whose founder Satish Kumar, celebrated globally for his vision of holistic education, recently turned 90 (I have been reading his Resurgence magazine since the late 90s, when there were few holistic learning pathways).

Many in the Ecoversities Alliance, like Haumea Ecoversity, rooted in my ongoing Hollywood Forest transformation work, operate counter-culturally, much like Schumacher College, with a "small is beautiful" sensibility. We distance ourselves from the ecocidal narratives of endless growth, scaling and competition. Instead, we foster learning and creativity that arise from people, often forming communities to cultivate individual and collective wellbeing, care for places, bioregions and the entire community of life, both past and future generations.

These small, place-based ecoversities take many forms: forest versities, river versities, orchard versities, bog versities, all filled with laughter, care and meaning, providing more harmony and social resilience, which is vital as challenges increase.

Members Join Us from Near and Far – for Friendship and Collaboration

As I'm based in rural Ireland (County Carlow) and my co-founding colleague, eco-philosopher Dr Nikos Patedakis, is in the mountains of California, people connect with us from across the island of Ireland and English speakers from the Northern Hemisphere. We are a small but mighty eco-community of practice and real-world experience. Sharing between members is real and deep, even though we operate mainly as an online community.
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​Here is a recent note to me from one of our learners, Claire Loder, who explores 'kinship, horticulture, speculative clay', from Bath, UK, who still connects with Jess Kerr, a tree-loving cellist in Scotland.

🎁 Limited-Time 24-Hour Special Offer:
20% Off Yearly Membership to Celebrate Cathy’s 60 Years on Earth!

To celebrate my own big 60th birthday and nearly 7 years of developing Haumea Ecoversity, which has provided me with the unexpected riches of connecting with the most amazing people and places, I'm offering 20% off yearly memberships, saving you almost €80—but only until midnight this Friday, September 4th. This is your chance to join at a very special rate as I don't turn 60 every day.

If you’ve been missing our special Haumea Salons and the motivation of our earlier courses,
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​or if you’re a newcomer,
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​this discount is for all.

​Yes! Read More & Claim My 20% Discount Now
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Use this code at checkout: CATHYBDAY20

Note: Doors will close to join Haumea Ecoversity next Monday at midnight. We will not open again until early 2027.

Be Part of the Ecological Turn

Ecoversities like Haumea are reimagining education as a holistic adventure, creative, place-based, relational, and life-affirming. In a fragmented world, we’re building a space where wellbeing, compassion, and ecological awareness thrive.

Don’t Miss Out!

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to deepen your connection to ecological learning and community, now is the time. The special discount ends soon, and our doors won’t stay open forever.

​Read More & Join Haumea Ecoversity Today​

Not interested in launch emails to join Haumea Ecoversity?​
​Opt out here (you will stay on our email list, but you won't get any more reminders of our Autumn membership offer)

With warmth and hope for the future we’re co-creating, and please feel free to share this newsletter.

Cathy, Nikos and Martin at Haumea Ecoversity
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​PS You don't wish to join Haumea Ecoversity but wish to support us as a monthly backer, give a one-off donation or sponsor a learner? ​
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Click here, and thank you!
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Thank you!

Founded by Dr Cathy Fitzgerald and drawing on her pioneering, ongoing ecosocial art project The Hollywood Forest Story, her PhD (The Ecological Turn, NCAD 2018), and postdoctoral work with Earth Charter International, Haumea Ecoversity offers peer-to-peer learning grounded in the UNESCO-endorsed Earth Charter.
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In collaboration with philosopher and podcaster Dr Nikos Patedakis (California, DangerousWisdom.org), we’ve supported 400+ learners through innovative ecopedagogy and mentoring—many are now ecoliteracy learning leaders, advancing impactful, values-based work across Ireland and internationally.
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We believe ecoliteracy and ethical creativity are essential to nurturing regenerative, just, and peaceful futures. Stay connected as we grow this global community

Have you benefited from our news and want to support Haumea Ecoversity as a monthly Backer, Advocate or Patron - even small regular contributions or donations help
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​Read more here​
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HAUMEA ECOVERSITY Hollywood Forest, Killedmond, Borris, Co. Carlow, Ireland
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​Haumea Ecoversity 2019 - 2026