Haumea Ecoversity Newsletter Sat Nov. 2026

Dear reader,

I want to share a course that has been growing quietly in my work for some time. It comes from my work for the community-led peatland restoration work for the Drummin Bog Project in South County Carlow. It comes from my concern about falling levels of nature connection in Ireland. It also comes from my gratitude for the ecological thinker Thomas Berry, whose work continues to guide so many of us (even though you may be unfamiliar with his name)..

Here is what shaped this course.

🌿 Drummin Bog​
This little ~ twenty-acre peatland is the last remnant of a raised bog in the south east. It has just been approved for a small community boardwalk. This is good news for local learning and restoration. The bog sits in a dark and quiet part of the county. It is encircled by woodland and far from strong light pollution. On clear nights, the sky opens. You can feel how rare that is today.

⭐ Dark skies​
We are losing dark skies at great speed. It is predicted that satellites will outnumber stars in the future - how can we let this happen? This loss affects our bodies, our imaginations and our sense of belonging. It is part of the nature disconnection many people feel but cannot name.

📖 New stories to The Universe Story​
The profound ecological thinker and author Thomas Berry wrote about the need for 'new stories' that help us live well within the wider community of life. His last work on The Universe Story, with evolutionary cosmologists and spirituality and ecological educators, championed a call to an eco-spiritual and ecological worldview, and this runs through everything we do at Haumea Ecoversity. It is shaping my thinking on how outdoor experiences, night sky learning and deep time can support wellbeing and ecological awareness.

All of this has led to a new stand-alone Haumea Ecoversity course. I am delighted to share it with you.

🌙 New Evening Thoughts: Dark Skies, Deep Time

A very special six-module online course from Haumea Ecoversity

Ireland now ranks among the lowest countries in the world for nature connection. Scientists keep warning that our current way of living is harming the conditions that support life on Earth.

This course offers transformative guidance and practical ideas to help people notice nature with fresh eyes, deepen their sense of place, and reconnect with the wider community of life, whilst cherishing the wisdom of our ancestors and care for future generations.

🌱 Who this course is for

• People interested in nature connection and wellbeing
• Those working or volunteering at restoration or regeneration sites
• Outdoor guides, creative facilitators and ecological educators
• Researchers, writers, poets, scholars, curators and cultural workers

📚 What the course includes

• The Universe Story and an evolutionary view of life
• Cosmic eco poetry and creative interpretation of place
• The Way of the Sacred Ecologist
• How to design and guide Deep Time Walks
• Irish and international Dark Sky learning
• Light pollution awareness
• Earth Charter and Leave No Trace ethics
• Site-sensitive waymarkers
• Cosmo Ecological Seasonal Calendars
• Community eco architecture with local or upcycled materials
• Examples of Deep Time Walks across Ireland and abroad

🎤 Our guest speakers will be speaking on

• Ireland -Dr Niamh Brennan — 'Why We Need a Universe Story'​
• US - Dr Drew Dellinger — 'The Art of Telling the Universe Story: Poetry, Imagination, and Cosmic Justice'​
• US K. Lauren de Boer — 'Healing the Alienation of Our Times The Way of the Spiritual Ecologist'​
• Scotland -Robert Woodford Co-Founder (with the late Stephan Harding, Schumacher College) of Deep Time Walk International —'Facilitating Deep Time Walks - Universe / Cosmic Story walking practices for local walks'​
• Ireland - Aiobhin Ryan, Leave No Trace Ireland — 'Understanding the ethos of Leave No Trace Ireland & the development of designated Dark Sky areas across Ireland and the world​
• Ireland Philip Ryan, Nocht Studio, Haumea Ecoversity Member - eco collaborative community architect 'Expanded Architectural Practice through Community-Led Making: Learning from Woodland, Waste and Collective Stewardship'

I will co-facilitate the course with my wonderful Haumea Ecoversity philosopher, DangerousWisdom.org podcaster colleague Nikos Patedakis (California).
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Can't make all the Zoom session dates? We will record the sessions and you will have access to the course platform for a year. Let's re-activate nature connection on scale, dear readers.

✨ Join us

All are welcome. (and please feel free to forward this notice)​
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​Subsidised places are available for County Carlow residents. My deep thanks to Aileen Nolan, Arts Officer, and all in the County Carlow Arts Office for again supporting my work and this pilot course.
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Haumea Ecoversity is also marking six years (can you believe it!!). This is when Nikos and I began working together. To honour the support of past and current course participants, Founding, Honorary Members and friends, there is a 50% discount for current and past Haumea Ecoversity members and previous course participants. Associate Members also receive a special discount.

👉 Details and booking:
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​https://eveningthoughts.haumeaecoversity.com​

Places are limited. Early booking is helpful.

PS​
I know these ideas will not interest everyone. I understand. But if you have been trying to find transformative, inclusive and meaningful ways to support nature connection in your work or community, this course may help. Take care of yourself and the ecologies that support you.
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​PPS: You can't join our course at this time but you would really like to support us? We appreciate every contribution. You can become a backer from €5/month, an Advocate, support another person to join us, or become a valued Patron - see here and thank you! https://opencollective.com/haumea-ecoversity-supporters​

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