Our Presenters

Umoja Community Foundation – Uganda, Africa and Australia

Owen Allen’s Phoenix Functions spans leadership in refugee eco-agriculture, inclusive dance, physiotherapy innovation, climate restoration, and mentorship. A founding SARRAH member, he has advanced rural health and performing arts care while shaping impactful community solutions globally. – LinkedIn

Author, The Ecological Farm. – Montana, USA, North America

Helen Atthowe has spent 35 years advancing ecological farming and conservation. She is transitioning her methods from Woodleaf Farm in Oregon to a new no-till orchard in Montana while mentoring the farm’s new owners. A pioneer in pesticide-free fruit production, she has conducted research on sustainable farming practices and contributed to organic gardening publications. – Chelsea Green Publishing Profile

Clare has long worked in community cultural development from the local to provincial level, and is also a textile and multi-media artist. She currently works with several local and global communities deeply engaged in every aspect of Earth Regeneration. These include the Design School For Regenerating Earth, Regenerate Cascadia, for which she is the co-founder, and Conversations for a One Planet Region Society, a local, Victoria based non-profit helping to catalyze a Bioregional conversation across the region. – Website

Clallam County. Retired ex Northstar Nurseries, Inc.

Started research on biochar in 2009. Now writing a book on biochar and permaculture. Workshop: Using biochar for soil incorporation and producing nutrient rich crops.

Green World Campaign – Washington, USA, North America

Marc Ian Barasch, bestselling author, filmmaker and founder of the Green World Campaign, leads bold efforts to restore degraded lands, combat climate change, and uplift rural communities through methods like agroforestry and reforestation. His presentation will feature a conversation with the director of GWC’s program in Kenya, highlighting grassroots solutions that connect ecological restoration with global impact. - Website

University of Florence – Italy, Europe

Ugo Bardi, professor of physical chemistry at the University of Florence, researches energy resources, sustainability, and environmental limits. A Club of Rome member and ASPO Italy co-founder, he authored The Limits to Growth Revisited and Extracted. –Wikipedia,  Resilience.org

Global Restoration Collaborative –Washington, USA, North America

Phoebe Barnard has led national biodiversity and climate programs, published over 100 works, and supports global conservation through her company, Biodiversity Strategy. She holds advanced degrees in biology and has received multiple awards for her contributions to environmental science and policy. – Website

Alexa’s work as a social permaculture designer is a synergistic blend of her studies in consciousness with emphasis on the functioning of collective consciousness and the evolution of consciousness, and permaculture. Her work lends itself to larger scale social permaculture and social movements. – Facebook

One of the leading agroforestry people in Asia. Earth System Scientist & Lead – Global Green Growth Biodiversity Action Lead, Wyld Planet PTE, Singapore Member, Karnataka Science & Technology Academy, an autonomous organization established in 2005 under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka. Member, PM-RKVY-Agroforestry Action Plan for Karnataka State International Farming System Advisor, FAO – Four Betters Model Villages International Expert, PIK, IGGAARL & RySS – Functional Food Systems Senior Advisor, Rainforest Alliance & GEF UNEP ILM Landscape Project Board Member, JSW | Advisor to 5+ Scientific Institutions & Systems Member, IAFT | Council Member, Ecosystem Restoration Alliance Scientific Advisor & Mentor, CarbonMint | KhetiValah | PASS Fintech. International Service Director- Rotary Bengaluru Skyway Chairperson, Tree-based Systems & Multifunctional Landscapes. Fellow, Global EverGreening Alliance (GEA).

Author, Tai Tokerau Climate Project – New Zealand

Peter Bruce, a Northland-based researcher and educator, specializes in sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and regenerative food systems. He has led significant research projects, authored Better Business for a Better World, and developed innovative elearning methods. Passionate about community-focused solutions, Peter combines teaching, research, and advocacy to promote sustainable development. – Website

Resilience Design Co-Developer, Quail Springs Permaculture – California, USA, North America

Warren Brush, a Permaculture designer and educator, has over 25 years of experience promoting sustainable living. Co-founder of Quail Springs Permaculture and other initiatives, he mentors diverse communities globally, including youth and indigenous peoples. He teaches a wide range of courses on Permaculture, ecological restoration, and sustainable systems design. – Quail Springs Permaculture, Permaculturedesign.us

Mountain Agrobiodiversity Project – California, USA, North America

Dr. Robert L. Bugg, Ph.D., is a consulting biologist and director of the Mountain Agrobiodiversity Project, specializing in sustainable agriculture, including cover cropping, hedgerow design, and ecological soil management. With 55 scientific publications and extensive global experience, he has pioneered biologically integrated farming systems and agricultural pollution reduction projects. Dr. Bugg earned his Ph.D. in Entomology from U.C. Davis. – LinkedIn

Based out of the Institute of Geosciences in São Paulo, Brazil, Maria is a prolific researcher of paleoclimatology whose work spans from New Caledonia to the Peruvian Andes and beyond. She combines expertise in various life cycles as they have played out in the past and presence to relate climate change over millennia to provable patterns in biology. She will be presenting on the retreat of glaciers in Peru. -Academia.edu

Lewis is Woodland Cree from the Sucker Creek Cree First Nation in northern Alberta, Canada. His consulting company, Cardinal Strategic Communications, specializes in Indigenous education, communications, and project development. Currently, Lewis is Project Manager for “kihciy askiy–Sacred Land” in the City of Edmonton, Canada’s first urban Indigenous ceremony grounds. Lewis Cardinal is a communicator and educator, he has dedicated his life’s work to creating and maintaining connections and relationships that cross-cultural divides. His work has mirrored his personal vision of a socially just and responsive society. Lewis has received Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Public Service, the IndSpire Award for Public Service (the highest award given to an Indigenous person by Indigenous people in Canada), the Province of Alberta’s Centennial Medal for his work in Human Rights and Diversity, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Grant MacEwan University, and was recently conferred the Honorary Degree of “Doctor of Sacred Letters” from St. Stephen’s College at the University of Alberta, Canada. – Website

Africa Climate Band; Climate Journalist and Activist - Russia, USA, Africa

A USA citizen based in Russia, Alex is a world touring musician, and the Foreign Correspondent on Environment for the Center for Media and Democracy (USA) since 2009. He is active in Africa with the Africa Climate Band whose concerts and press conferences propel a climate solution movement based on Plankton Restoration, and driven by his upcoming music video "AFRICA WILL BE THE LEADER", with many African stars singing cameo lines à la WE ARE THE WORLD. – Website

Robin is a part-time Senior Fellow in the Forests Program of the World Resources Institute. She provides expertise on forest regeneration and ecosystem services of forests to several ongoing programs within the Global Restoration Initiative including initiative 20x20, Monitoring Framework, and also contributes to Global Forest Watch Climate and the Economics of Restoration. Robin was a professor of ecology at the University of Connecticut for 28 years, where she taught field ecology, functional ecology, and regular seminars on ecosystem services and biodiversity issues. She has conducted long-term research on natural regeneration of forests in Costa Rica for over 30 years, and works with collaborators to study forest successional pathways in Brazil, Mexico, and other regions. She has worked with colleagues in Brazil over the past 4 years on forest restoration and regeneration projects. She is the director of an interdisciplinary research network that focuses on understanding the socio-ecological drivers of reforestation. She is also the Executive Director of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation and a Research Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia where she works with the Tropical Forests and People Center. Robin holds a BA in Biology from Grinnell College and a PhD in Ecology from Cornell University. Robin divides her residence between Boulder, CO and Bailey, CO with her husband Rob and enjoys both urban and rural living, hiking, and restoring forests on the property. She is still actively engaged in research, publication, and advocacy for science-based policy and practice in conservation and restoration. Robin will present on Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR). She is a world leader in ANR. – Website

Jonathan is Executive Director of Possible Planet and author of the book, Possible Planet: Pathways to a Habitable Future. Possible Planet Lab is a global commons for research, coordination, and cultural transformation using AI. Possible Planet Lab is open to collaborators, volunteers, donors, and sponsors. – Website

Director, Buckminster Fuller Institute – California, USA, North America

Dr. Stuart Cowan, Executive Director of the Buckminster Fuller Institute, has 25 years of experience in regenerative design, systems thinking, and sustainable finance. Co-founder of Autopoiesis LLC, he has led the Regenerative Communities Network and held roles at Smart Cities Council and Ecotrust. Co-author of Ecological Design, he holds a doctorate in Applied Mathematics from U.C. Berkeley. – LinkedIn, Website

Robert Dash is an award-winning photographer, author, and science educator who uses a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to highlight foods, pollen, seeds, and other objects with significant climate and biodiversity stories. His work has been published by National Geographic, TIME, Lenswork, Geographic, and Resurgence/Ecologist. Food Planet Future: The Art of Turning Food and Climate Perils Into Possibilities (Papadakis, UK), based on Dash’s traveling exhibition, launched in 2024. – Website

Occidental Arts and Ecology Center – California, USA, North America

Brock Dolman, co-director of the WATER Institute, is a restoration ecologist and educator specializing in watershed regeneration and ecological literacy. A global consultant and TEDx speaker, he promotes solutions like “Conservation Hydrology” to foster resilient communities and ecosystems. – Website

Earth Law Center – Washington, USA, North America

Elizabeth M. Dunne, Esq., is a leading Earth Law expert with 20 years of experience advancing Rights of Nature laws and landmark ecosystem cases. Her advocacy, featured in Invisible Hand and Last Stand: Saving the Elwha River’s Legacy Forests, focuses on systemic legal change and forest conservation. – Website

Emergent Dialogue and Social Permaculture. Organizations: Abundant Earth Foundation, Weaver Network, Permaculture Magazine. Hannah has studied permaculture and other regenerative practices for much of her life. Her passion to inspire others to do all they can on behalf of the planet has led to a career in environmental journalism and philanthropy. She is the co-founder of Permaculture Magazine, North America and the Abundant Earth Foundation. – Website – Website2 – Facebook – Instagram

Debra Ellers grew up on a family farm growing crops and livestock, near the Chesapeake Bay in Eastern Virginia, where she developed a love of salt water and its creatures. She received her B.S. in Economics with High Honors from the University of Tennessee, where she was Phi Beta Kappa, and J.D. at the University of Virginia School of Law. In 1985, Debra moved to Idaho, where she worked as a business attorney for 30 years. Her professional employers included a large regional law firm, a major technology company, and a public university. In Idaho, she was an avid skier and backpacker in Idaho’s pristine mountains, and involved with many conservation issues, including public lands grazing, wolf reintroduction, and salmon recovery. Debra has also been an adjunct instructor teaching introductory environmental law classes. Debra and her spouse moved to Port Townsend in 2016, where she co-founded the orca advocacy group North Olympic Orca Pod. Regionally, Debra has attended many orca advocacy events and presented workshops about the importance of breaching the 4 Lower Snake River Dams to save salmon, orcas and more. – Facebook

University of Bern, Sustainable Land Management – Switzerland, Europe

David Ellison, a researcher and consultant, focuses on forests, water, and climate policy, working with institutions like the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Ellison Consulting. He contributes to global climate initiatives, exploring forest-water interactions and sustainable development, including a project on resilience in the Sahel. Widely published, Ellison’s work informs policy and addresses critical environmental challenges. – Website

Hummingbird Films.

John Feldman is a multi-talented filmmaker known for his unique blend of documentary filmmaking, education, and cinematic storytelling. With a background including a BA in biology and numerous international awards, he creates impactful films addressing ecological and scientific topics, such as "Regenerating Life" and "Symbiotic Earth". - Website

Foundation for Climate Restoration – California, USA, North America

Peter Fiekowsky, an MIT-educated physicist and entrepreneur, is dedicated to restoring a thriving climate for future generations. Founder of the Foundation for Climate Restoration, he works with scientists and policymakers to advance scalable solutions like methane reduction. With 30 years of advocacy experience, he continues to drive innovation for environmental restoration. – Website

Regenerate Canada – Canada, North America

Ananda Fitzsimmons is an advocate for soil and water, president of Regeneration Canada, and vice president of the EcoRestoration Alliance. She founded Concentric Agriculture, producing microbial soil amendments, and authored Hydrate the Earth and Restoring the Pillars of Life, promoting regenerative solutions for climate resilience. – LinkedIn

Stable Planet Alliance, Sydney, Australia.

www.StablePlanetAlliance.org.

Andrew Gaines is a driving force behind the Stable Planet Alliance, dedicated to inspiring transformative change towards a compassionate, just, and ecologically sustainable world. He champions the concept of the 'Evolutionary Catalyst' – individuals who facilitate personal and collective shifts in thinking through powerful and practical communication tools that use systems thinking to foster the mindset needed for profound societal evolution. - Website

Howard is Board Chair of the Center for Whale Research, President of the Orca Network. After growing up in Northern California, he studied Sociology at the University of New Mexico and UC Berkeley before graduating from Colorado College. In 1995, he helped launch a campaign to return the captive Southern Resident orca Tokitae to her native habitat in the Salish Sea. His primary focus is the sophisticated cultural capabilities demonstrated by Orcinus orca. In 1980, his brother Ken Balcomb invited him to assist with his ORCA SURVEY photo-ID research on San Juan Island. From his first encounters with orcas, he knew that he too had found his life’s work. In 2020, the Center for Whale Research purchased a 45-acre ranch bordering both sides of Washington’s Elwha River, in a stretch of the mainstream river where a majority of the remnant native Chinook salmon now spawn. The ranch, smack in the middle of the recovering Elwha Valley habitat, has been renamed: Balcomb Big Salmon Ranch. – Website – Website – Website

Since October 1991, Steve Gatewood has spearheaded development of The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve, a landmark mitigation project that will result in the protection of more than 11,500 acres of prime central Florida wetlands and surrounding uplands. He currently serves as Director of the project, developing and guiding state-of-the-art restoration and land management activities. In addition to establishing and managing the Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Steve has served as chairman of the council that developed Florida’s non-game wildlife program, as a staff member of the Lake Okeechobee and Kissimmee River restoration programs, and as the governor-appointed chairman of the committee that developed and recommended changes to Florida’s wetlands jurisdiction rules. He most recently served as The Conservancy’s Protection Ecologist for Florida and has been assuming a greater role in developing large-scale mitigation projects throughout the state.

Ian grew up surfing the shores of Australia but has called the Pacific Northwest home for most of his life. He works at the intersection of complex, ambitious ideas and tangible results as a social entrepreneur, non-profit leader and writer. His work involves building new ways to support bioregionalism, Indigenous community development, conservation and fairness. Ian's passion is articulating the idea of Nature States. Nation States are on the way out and Nature States are on the way in. Ian is a social entrepreneur and non-profit leader who has been at the forefront of conservation economics, bioregionalism and Indigenous community development for more than three decades. He is A founding partner of Salmon Nation Trust, an LLC investing in bioregionalism from Northern California to the north slope of Alaska, Founding director of Magic Canoe, a solutions-focused storytelling platform, Co-founder of Upstart & Crow, a literary incubator and non-profit that reimagines and invests in storytelling in diverse forms, Co-founder of The Winnipeg Boldness Project, a social innovation vehicle that explored new ideas for improving early childhood development outcomes in that city’s North End, Former president of Discourse Media, a digital media startup, Former Senior Fellow at McConnell Foundation, with a focus on Indigenous development and media and communications, Former President & CEO of Ecotrust US and founder, CEO and President of Ecotrust Canada and Ecotrust Australia. At Ecotrust, Ian helped build and run multi-million dollar non-profits with more than 100 staff across three countries, launching original, innovative programming in collaboration with boards that included Jane Jacobs, Terri-Lynn Williams Davidson, C.S. “Buzz” Holling, Ric Young, Thomas Berger, Patrick Dodson, Don Henry, Dalee Sambo Dorough and many more. Ecotrust Canada’s impact ranged from the creation of the Aboriginal Mapping Network; management of Iisaak Forest Resources, then an Indigenous-owned, FSC-certified forest company; facilitating the return to the Haíłzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation of the Koeye River Lodge, now home to one of the most effective land-based language, science and culture camps on the coast; the incubation of ThisFish and Climate Smart Business; the design and launch of a unique revolving loan fund, Ecotrust Canada Capital, which disbursed millions of dollars to conservation-based businesses with private and public capital; capitalising Canada’s first conservation fisheries licence bank; and the launch of Ecotrust Australia. Ecotrust and Ecotrust Canada worked closely with dozens of Indigenous Nations across the Pacific Northwest, building trusted relationships and contributing to significant, measurable results. Ian is responsible for raising more than $50 million in operating and capital resources over the course of his career. Prior to joining Ecotrust, Ian worked as an award-winning writer and broadcaster at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and as a senior reporter and editor at The Vancouver Sun. He is a contributing editor at The Tyee, and contributor to The Narwhal, Hakai Magazine and others. He wrote and hosted documentary reports for CBC’s The National, The Journal, Venture and its Vancouver newsroom, along with CTV and History Television. His books include No News is Bad News: Canada’s Media Collapse and What Comes Next (2016); All That We Say Is Ours: Guujaaw and the Reawakening of the Haida Nation (2009; reprinted in 2022); Haida Gwaii: Journeys Through the Queen Charlotte Islands (1997); and Hiking on the Edge: Canada's West Coast Trail (1995). Ian has also acted as director of Vancity Credit Union, ShoreBank Pacific, the Na na Kila Institute and the Clayoquot Biosphere Project; a member of the Forest Faculty Advisory Committee at the University of British Columbia; and an Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Sustainable Community Development at Simon Fraser University. He lives with his wife Zoe Grams on unceded Nuučaan̓ułʔatḥ (Nuu-Chah-Nulth) territory and on xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, where Upstart & Crow works its magic. – Website

Co-Founder, Kinship Earth – Oregon, USA, North America

Stephen Gomes, Founder and President of Gomes & Company, brings a diverse background shaped by his service in the U.S. Peace Corps in Brazil and work across 108 countries. As an entrepreneur, MBA professor, and advisor, he specializes in start-ups, technology commercialization, Indigenous relations, decentralized organizations, and regenerative systems. Stephen is also a blockchain and cryptocurrency enthusiast, with a focus on fostering innovation and sustainable ventures. – Website, LinkedIn

Global Coral Reef Alliance – Massachusetts, USA, North America

Dr. Tom Goreau, President of the Global Coral Reef Alliance, is a coral reef and climate expert with over 200 publications and pioneering restoration technologies. Educated at MIT, Caltech, and Harvard, he collaborates globally to restore coral reefs, fisheries, and ecosystems, contributing to UN climate initiatives. – Website

Groundswell International and Senior Fellow of the Global Evergreening Alliance.

Peter Gubbels is a seasoned expert in rural development, serving as Senior Advisor for West Africa at Groundswell International and co-founder of the organization. With over 30 years of experience and deep roots in West Africa, he has championed agroecology and community-driven development. Co-author of From the Roots Up and numerous policy briefs, Peter has helped build equitable, sustainable local economies across the region. He continues to lead advocacy and action research through Groundswell’s network, advancing resilient food systems in West Africa. - Website

Hart Hagan is an environmental reporter and consultant based in Louisville, KY, known for his expertise in climate change solutions. As the founder of Water & Climate on Facebook and host of 347 episodes of The Climate Report, he has dedicated over a decade to educating the public on ecological restoration. His focus on forests, farms, and landscapes as key to climate salvation is central to his work, which includes teaching workshops on water management, wildfire misinformation, and earth repair. Hagan combines reporting, education, and advocacy to promote practical solutions for a sustainable future. - Website

Shaayí Indrayani is a local Coastal Indigenous member of the Tlingit, Haida, and Aishihik nations. She also has Japanese, European, and mixed ancestry. She received her Masters in praxis-based Buddhist Studies with a strong orientation to social, interdisciplinary, and ecological engagement. While her academic, ancestral, and personal experiences are varied, her primary heart vision is to help our human and non-human kin through collective cultivation of meditative spiritual and liberative ecology. She now organizes and facilitates groups and finds great joy in sharing in the simple, yet profound, awareness of Being with others.

Second-generation high-density, low-duration herder using herds for land management. Chris Henggeler is a student of eco-system function; his study takes place in the field where physics and biology blend in complex and dynamic life-shaping processes. From , He is founder of the 78,000-hectare Kachana Station Project in one of the most remote places in Australia. John D. Liu has commented “Kachana Station Project is one of the most interesting projects I have learned about and it could be a great conceptual 'Collaborative Inquiry for Collective Intelligence at the Global Earth Restoration Convergence.'" – Website

Eliza Herald is a visionary leader blending media production with environmental philosophy, dedicated to awakening humanity’s relationship with water. As a 27-year media professional and founder of the Tahoe International Film Festival, she leverages her expertise in content creation to drive transformative change. Herald’s work centers on fostering water wisdom through innovative storytelling, advocating for a global shift in consciousness to address water-related crises. She combines decades of media production experience with her profound commitment to elevating water as a sacred element of ecological balance. - Website - LinkedIn

Wout Hoff is a key figure at Groasis, a Dutch company founded by his father, Pieter Hoff, which focuses on innovative, water-efficient reforestation and tree-planting technologies, specifically the Waterboxx and Growboxx. Wout continues his father’s legacy, often conducting Q&A sessions and providing updates on reforestation projects, such as those in Spain and the "Green Musketeer" initiatives aimed at educating children about tree planting. – Website – YouTube

Co-founder of Permaculture – Victoria, Australia

David Holmgren, co-originator of permaculture, has shaped the movement since co-authoring Permaculture One in 1978. Based at Melliodora, Australia, he practices and promotes sustainable living through influential works like Permaculture: Principles and Pathways Beyond Sustainability and RetroSuburbia. – Website

Executive Director of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, which wrote the first rights of nature law in the United States and has assisted hundreds of communities to resist corporate and government harms. Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF): We are organizers, lawyers, and revolutionaries who educate and agitate to confront systemic injustice and restore humanity’s relationship with the Earth. – Website

Lifelong Indigenous human rights and environmental defender, Former tribal council member (between 2000-2015) for her two Māori peoples of Ngāti Kurī and Te Rarawa, and co-founder of Te Waka Hourua (Māori climate justice activists and allies).

Home Planet Fund – Alaska, USA, North America

Dahr Jamail, an award-winning journalist, is renowned for his unembedded reporting during the 2003 Iraq invasion, documented in Beyond the Green Zone. A recipient of the Martha Gellhorn Prize and the Izzy Award, he has written extensively on war, climate change, and global crises. His 2019 book, The End of Ice, reflects on the impact of climate disruption through his mountaineering experiences. Jamail continues to advocate for independent journalism and environmental awareness. – Wikipedia

Regenerate Earth – Australia

Walter Jehne is a renowned soil microbiologist and innovation strategist with expertise in soil microbes, plant root ecology, and regenerative bio-systems. With decades of experience at CSIRO, the UN, and globally, he specializes in soil carbon formation, hydrological cycles, and climate impacts. His recent work focuses on scaling bio-innovations to restore agro-ecosystems and urban agriculture to support the growing global population. – Website

Dr. Lyla June Johnston (aka Lyla June) is a poet, singer-songwriter, hip-hop artist, human ecologist, public speaker 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. Her messages focus on Indigenous issues and solutions, supporting youth, inter-cultural healing, historical trauma, and traditional land stewardship practices. 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. Her internationally acclaimed live performances are conveyed through the medium of speech, hip-hop, poetry, and acoustic music. Her personal goal is to grow closer to Creator by learning how to love deeper. Lyla June will talk about Indigenous Regenerative Food Systems. – Website

Kalapa Wisdom School for Changemakers – Washington, USA, North America

Rafa, a bilingual and bicultural leader, has spent over 30 years teaching and coaching for harmony within ourselves, with others, and the Earth. Founder of the Kalapa Wisdom School for Changemakers, he offers workshops on nature-inspired best practices and essential collaboration skills to strengthen teamwork in Earth Repair projects. – Website

‘Womb Visionary’, Red Moon School of Empowerment for Women & Girls – California, USA, North America

DeAnna, fondly known as the “Womb Visionary,” is a global expert in menstrual empowerment, with over 30 years of work empowering women in 30+ countries. Founder of Red Moon – School of Empowerment for Women & Girls, she helps women reclaim menstruation as a source of guidance and renewal. DeAnna also coaches mothers and trains women to create Red Tents, fostering community and empowerment. – Website, Instagram

Rainwater Harvesting – Arizona, USA, North America

A specialist in permaculture and water harvesting, Brad has run a successful regenerative design business since 1993, focusing on sustainable landscapes and resource stewardship. Based in the Sonoran Desert, he harvests over 100,000 gallons of rainwater annually on his urban lot, transforming it into vibrant, shade-producing food forests. Through his Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond book series and NeighborhoodForesters.org, Brad empowers communities to regenerate ecosystems and turn resource consumption into resource generation. – Website

Author, European Climate Pact, University of Amsterdam – The Netherlands, Europe

Born in 1956, Dutch philosopher and former eco-tourism operator, focuses on protecting the Amazon and fostering an ecological civilization. Advocating for urgent reinvention to limit harm to Earth, they emphasize strategic interventions in unstable systems. Their vision includes projects like growing a “Great Green Wall” for the Amazon to restore rainfall, boost vegetation, and draw down carbon. – LinkedIn

Wetland and stream Restoration, BC, Canada. Gregoire is a permaculture designer, consultant and teacher and the director of the Kootenay Permaculture Institute. He holds a Permaculture Diploma in Education, Design, Site Development and Community Service from the Permaculture Institute USA. He has actively worked with permaculture systems for over 25 years and taught courses in many parts of the country since 1991. Gregoire taught the Permaculture Design Course as a Summer Session at the University of Manitoba in 2005. He has also been teaching the Permaculture Design Course with Selkirk College in Nelson, BC for the last 10 years. He has served on the Board of Directors of Seeds of Diversity Canada for seven years. He is a founding member of Kootenay Organic Growers Society and was on the Certifying Committee for three years. – Website – Website2

Women’s Earth & Climate Action Network (WECAN) – California, USA, North America

Osprey founded and directs WECAN International, an organization that champions the leadership of women in climate justice and a socially equitable transition to clean energy. Co-leading global initiatives like the Indigenous Women’s Divestment Delegations, Women’s Climate Action Agenda, and The Rights of Nature Tribunals, she has also authored several books and worked with leaders and policy-makers throughout the grassroots environmental movement. – Website

Roger Leakey has served as Vice President at the International Tree Foundation, where he has dedicated over a decade to supporting sustainable tree planting initiatives by rural communities in Africa. With a distinguished career spanning more than 50 years, he has contributed extensively to environmental development through roles at James Cook University, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge. His expertise includes tropical ecology, sustainable agriculture, and agroforestry, as evidenced by his influential publications, such as “Living with the Trees of Life” and “Multifunctional Agriculture.” - LinkedIn

Movement builder, bioregionalist, Cascadian & participatory democracy advocate. Wheezy sneezy proprietor of Horizon Books. Grumpy Sasquatch. Brandon is an administrator at Regenerate Cascadia, producer of the Cascadia Northwest Arts and Music Festival, and executive director of the Department of Bioregion. He is the founding director of CascadiaNow!, before stepping back in 2017, former board member of the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance, the largest peer run and managed needle exchange program in the United States, and co-founder of the Seattle Street Medical Collective. His journey to learn more about democratic ways of living, human rights and sustainability have taken him around the world, from ecocamp and medical infrastructure building in Germany in 2008, and Scotland in 2005, to living in Tunisia after the Arab Spring during their constituent assembly process in 2011, to living and working in Beijing for the Audi, Volkswagen, as well as the French and German Chambers of Commerce in 2012. – Website

Writer, The Climate According to Life –Washington, USA, North America

Rob Lewis is a poet, writer, and activist dedicated to amplifying the voice of the more-than-human world. His work has appeared in publications like Resilience, Dark Mountain, and Atlanta Review, as well as anthologies such as Singing the Salmon Home and For the Love of Orcas. Author of The Silence of Vanishing Things, he writes about viewing the climate as a living system requiring healing through restraint and restoration. – Substack, Resilience.org

Filmmaker, Founder of Ecosystem Restoration Communities – USA, North America

John D. Liu, a filmmaker and ecologist, founded Ecosystem Restoration Camps to advance large-scale ecosystem restoration globally. Through films like Hope in a Changing Climate and Green Gold, he demonstrates the potential of restoring degraded landscapes to address climate change and biodiversity loss. Liu also advocates for prioritizing ecosystems in global sustainability efforts. – Wikipedia, Website, YouTube

Regenerative Design Institute – California, USA, North America

Penny Livingston-Stark, an internationally recognized permaculture teacher and designer, holds a Master’s in Eco-Social Regeneration and three Diplomas in Permaculture Design. She co-founded multiple sustainability initiatives and co-created ecological design programs while studying directly with permaculture pioneers Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. Penny also co-manages the 17-acre Commonweal Garden in Bolinas, California. – Website

Physicist and Author, Climate Water Project – USA, North America

Alpha Lo, a physicist and permaculture educator, publishes the Climate Water Project newsletter and podcast, exploring the water cycle’s role in ecology and climate. His work focuses on soil hydration, groundwater replenishment, restoring rainfall, mitigating floods, and addressing climate change, alongside teaching water-related topics in Permaculture Design Courses. – Substack, LinkedIn

United Earth Networks – Washington, USA, North America

Richard Lukens is a producer specializing in concerts and festivals with causes like world peace, human rights, and environmental protection. A pioneer in communication technologies, he has simulcasted landmark events globally, bridging cultural divides. With connections to leaders, artists, and sponsors, Lukens creates transformative live experiences that foster understanding and connection. – Website

Paul Lynn is a fascinating mycologist and educator who makes complex mushroom cultivation techniques accessible and engaging. His expertise shines through in his innovative approaches, like demonstrating how simple liquid culture methods can rapidly transform small petri dish cultures into dense mycelium when properly aerated and nutritionally managed. Paul's practical insights into optimizing mycelium growth and vitality – from using activated charcoal to maintaining vigorous cultures with diverse "diets" – make his YouTube videos and blog essential resources for anyone exploring the world of fungi. - Substack

Peter speaks on behalf of the fungi, the most overlooked and misrepresented organisms in the web of life. An interdisciplinary, systems-oriented mycology educator with 17 years of experience, Peter is the founder of MYCOLOGOS, the world’s first mycology school, and Radical Mycology, a grassroots mycological advocacy organization and social movement. In 2016, Peter released Radical Mycology: A Treatise on Seeing & Working With Fungi, a 650-page book on mycology that has been hailed as one of the best texts on theoretical and applied mycology written to date, and a milestone for the progress of mycology as a people’s science. – Website

Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways – Alaska, USA, North America

Kuuyux, an Unangan Elder and visionary, is the Founder & President of GCILL and Co-Founder of Wisdom Weavers of the World. Guided by a mission to share Indigenous wisdom, he carries the legacy of his traditional name, meaning “carrier of ancient knowledge.” In 2017, Kuuyux convened Indigenous Elders worldwide in Kauai, Hawaii, to address the state of the world and the actions needed, continuing to share their vital messages globally. – Website

Oregon State University – Oregon, USA, North America

Andrew Millison, a Permaculture educator since 1996, teaches at Oregon State University and specializes in climate resilience, water management, and sustainable development. With over 20 years of design experience, he focuses on rainwater harvesting, greywater systems, and large-scale Permaculture planning, sharing his expertise through teaching, media, and online education. – YouTube, OSU Profile, Website

Neuroscientist, Climate Change & Consciousness Author – USA, North America

Dr. Stephanie Mines, neuroscientist and author, has dedicated over 30 years to researching trauma and resilience. Founder of The TARA Approach, she promotes regenerative health and leads Climate Change & Consciousness to inspire climate action. An award-winning poet, her 2023 works include The Secret of Resilience and The Great Physician. Dr. Mines provides tools for healing personal and planetary trauma. – Website

Championing Community-Led Restoration | Director, Dryland Solutions | Building Regenerative Futures in Somalia. Dryland Solutions' mission is to rejuvenate the semi-desert grassland ecosystem in Somalia, envisioning a transformed Somalia where the semi-desert grassland ecosystem flourishes. Yasmin, the driving force behind Dryland Solutions Community, has dedicated efforts to collaboratively overcome food and water insecurity, ecosystem degradation, and the impacts of climate change. This dedication is rooted in a mission to foster social and ecological prosperity in frontline communities. Holding key positions as Director at Dryland Solutions Community and Coordinator for the Ecosystem Restoration Community in Somalia, Yasmin's expertise spans ecosystem restoration, management of drylands, and regenerative development. These roles underscore a commitment to addressing a range of challenges, from climate to social and environmental issues, particularly in Somalia. Under Yasmin's leadership, the Camp Dryland Solutions initiative has been established, focusing on transformative actions to address climate and environmental challenges. Additionally, a significant landscape restoration project in Somalia, aimed at promoting sustainable land practices and rejuvenating the desert ecosystem, stands as a testament to Yasmin's commitment to ecological restoration and sustainable development within the region. – Website

Montana Co-op, Kids Co-op – Montana, USA, North America

Jason Moore is a seasoned furniture services professional with experience managing relocation projects and furniture installations in Toronto, Calgary, and Dallas/Ft. Worth. As part of InstallNET, North America’s largest office furniture installation network, he supports multi-location projects using proprietary software to coordinate over 1,000 jobs monthly. Based in Hot Springs, MT, Jason is also deeply involved in building thriving communities and strengthening the local food system. – LinkedIn

Rosemary Morrow trained in agricultural science at Sydney University, rural sociology at the Sorbonne in Paris, development at Reading UK and horticulture at TAFE but, after spending time in Africa, she realized there needed to be a better alternative to conventional agricultural practices. She found this in the ethics and integrated applied science of permaculture, and has been teaching permaculture ever since. She is the author of numerous publications including Permaculture Teaching Matters, The Earth User’s Guide to Permaculture, which has been translated into many languages, and The Earth User’s Guide to Teaching Permaculture. For almost 40 years Rosemary has worked extensively with farmers and villagers in Africa, Central and South East Asia and Eastern Europe. Rosemary has especially dedicated much of her efforts to refugees the people of war-torn nations such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Kurdistan and East Timor, and to communities experiencing the serious effects of climate change like the Solomon Islands, and the effects of the GFC, like Spain, Greece and Portugal. – Website

Researcher, Voices of Water – Slovakia, Europe and USA, North America

Zuzka, originally from Czechoslovakia and now based in New Jersey, merges her finance expertise with ecological advocacy. A collaborator with People and Water NGO and Biodiversity for a Livable Climate, she champions ecosystem-based water renewal and sustainable, community-driven solutions as a Laudato Sí animator and educator. – Instagram, Bio4Climate

Megan is a clairaudient channel, author, crafter of plant medicines, and perennial agroforestry farmer. She has brought forth an ‘Inner Garden’ holistic wellness framework to empower individuals to care for their gut microbiomes and unique constitutions - in addition to remembering how to reconnect and align with their heart's guidance. Megan and her family live in central Illinois on her family’s centennial farm. – Website

From the Chief Joseph Band Of Wallowa, Nez Perce, and Colville Confederated Tribes of Washington State, Dan has been an advocate/teacher for indigenous culture, community unity, youth empowerment, racial equality, and peace for several decades; a man who lives a life of prayer, ceremony and helping the people. He is founder of the Young Warriors Society, an educational resource to share, learn, listen and grow, taking steps toward food security in our communities, growing gardens, learning to gather sacred plant medicines, learning how to protect our environment and natural resources, working together to learn herbal medicines, green renewable energy, self resiliency, outdoor survival skills, cultural survival skills, self sufficiency and develop trade net works, seed saving, sharing resources and upcoming trainings and warrior camps. Colville Indian Reservation, WA. – Website – Facebook

Co-Director of PocketForestsNW, Artist and Lobbyist for Education Concerning Climate Change Solutions. Anne Nesse of PocketForestsNW facilitates the creation of Miyawaki-style pocket forests in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on engaging schools and communities in biodiversity, climate resilience, and hands-on environmental restoration. These dense, native plantings improve air quality, manage stormwater, and create small wildlife habitats, often in urban areas. Methodology: Utilizes the Miyawaki method, which involves planting high-density, native, multi-layered forests that grow rapidly, often within just a few years. Purpose: Focused on restoring soil health, increasing biodiversity, and reducing urban heat islands. Community Involvement: The initiatives emphasize community and school engagement in planning and planting to foster environmental stewardship. "Increased income inequality is the underlying illness of an ill-adaptive economy that cannot possibly meet the future needs of a more sustainable world. Our economy must be based on regenerative and renewable processes on a finite planet." Contact Anne to schedule a pocket forest tour: SustainableEconomiesNW@gmail.com

Rivers Above the Canopy – Brazil, South America

Antonio Donato Nobre, a scientist at INPE and INPA, studies the Amazon’s role in global climate stability, focusing on its hydrology and biosphere-atmosphere interactions. His work highlights the forest’s delicate balance and the risks of human impact, as detailed in El Futuro Climático de la Amazonía. He advocates for sustainability and nature-inspired solutions. – LinkedIn, TedTalks

Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute – Colorado, USA, North America

Jerome Osentowski, founder of the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, has over 30 years of experience designing greenhouses and teaching permaculture. Living in a passive solar home in Colorado, he hosts the world’s longest-running Permaculture Design Course. His book, The Forest Garden Greenhouse, highlights his work in sustainable systems and heritage fruit tree conservation. – Website, GERF Profile

Peter Paap was an Agroforestry advisor for FarmTree in the Netherlands and West and Central Africa. Peter is an expert on holistic Landscape Restoration via agroforestry and social forestry. He has co-chaired the Council of Fellows of the Global Evergreening Alliance for a number of years, focusing on promoting evergreening practices like agroforestry. Peter is currently working on helping people get their start in agroforestry. He will be teaching an online workshop on the applications of fungi in agroforestry. - LinkedIn

Pramod Parajuli is a visionary thought leader and educator pioneering regenerative leadership and earth repair, now working with Nepal’s top practitioners to bridge online convergence with in-person collaboration. A founding faculty at Prescott College and Southwestern College, he has designed transformative doctoral and master’s programs, educating over 100 students worldwide in pathways toward regeneration. With a focus on integrative socio-ecological regeneration (ISER) and drawing from his trans-disciplinary background in education, anthropology, and political ecology, Parajuli champions upcycling to regenerative ways of living, creating fertile ground for transformative change. - Academia - LinkedIn

The Growing Connection / EcoHuerto – Canada and Mexico, North America

Robert Patterson, with 30+ years at the UN/FAO, now promotes sustainable organic horticulture, helping communities grow fresh produce efficiently without motors or pumps. His global work emphasizes health, taste, and connection to nature, with workshops featuring hands-on planting, tastings, and global engagement to inspire food cultivation anywhere. – Website

As CEO of Envisionation, Bru Pearce is at the forefront of driving the organization’s mission to restore Earth’s biosphere and create a sustainable future for all. With a visionary approach and a deep understanding of environmental science and sustainable development, Bru leads a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to implementing the Biosphere Restoration Plan (BRP). Under his leadership, Envisionation is forging global partnerships, advancing innovative solutions, and mobilizing resources to regenerate vital ecosystems, stabilize the climate, and promote a green economy. Bru’s strategic direction and commitment to collaborative action are pivotal in guiding Envisionation’s efforts to restore degraded lands, protect oceans, and revitalize the natural world, ensuring that humanity can thrive in harmony with nature. – Website

Stable Planet Alliance – Washington, USA, North America

Lora is an elder of the Upper Skagit Tribe and a teacher of the Lushootseed language and culture in the region around the Salish Sea. She works with young people to spread and preserve her tribal language and traditions and has been honored as an Indigenous cultural bridge. – Website

Land and Leadership Initiative, Author, Ecology of Care – USA, North America

Didi Pershouse, founder of the Land and Leadership Initiative, is an author and educator focused on soil health, climate resilience, and regenerative leadership. Known for The Ecology of Care, she engages communities and policymakers globally to restore ecosystems and the soil sponge. Pershouse co-founded Rehydrate California and works to address societal challenges through collaboration with nature and sustainable land management. – Website

Savory Institute, Regeneration International – Zimbabwe, Africa

Precious Phiri, African Coordinator for Regeneration International and founding trustee of IGugu Trust, is a trainer in Holistic Management with 18 years of experience in regenerative agriculture and community organization. She supports global regenerative projects, contributes to networks like PELUM and AFSA, and teaches with Ecosystem Restoration Camps, advocating for solutions to poverty, desertification, and climate change. – Instagram, LinkedIn

Friends of the Trees, Global Earth Repair Foundation – Washington, USA, North America

Michael Pilarski, farmer, wildcrafter, and educator, has worked with over 1,000 plant species and founded Friends of the Trees Society in 1978. With 35 years of experience in Permaculture, he has taught 34 design courses worldwide and promotes sustainable wildcrafting as a tool for earth repair and local resilience. Pilarski’s work integrates ethnobotany, agroforestry, and traditional land stewardship to restore ecosystems and increase natural abundance. – Website, GERF Profile

A recent graduate of Washington State University with a BS in Agricultural Education, Molly Quade is now bridging her hands-on experience as a lab technician and beekeeper with advanced study, focusing on entomopathogenic fungi as a promising sustainable solution for apiculture and broader agricultural systems. Driven by a fascination with honey bees and the potential of fungi, Molly’s research specifically targets Varroa mites – a major threat to honey bee health – by identifying strains of entomopathogenic fungi with improved thermal tolerance necessary for effective use within hive environments. Her work represents an important step toward developing biological controls for critical agricultural pests. - LinkedIn

Mazin Qumsiyeh is a scientist, author and activist, and is the founder and director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History (PMNH) and the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) at Bethlehem University where he teaches. He started off in the field of medicine working in the USA, but returned to Palestine in 2008. Qumsiyeh formerly worked at Duke University and Yale in the medical field. He returned to Palestine in 2008, where he established the PMNH. Today the Museum has 8 employees, and Mazin and his wife, Jessie, where they are employed full-time as volunteers. The associated PIBS currently works with women entrepreneurs and also has a native animal rehabilitation facility. Over the course of his career he has published well over 150 scientific papers on topics ranging from cultural heritage to biodiversity in addition to several books. In some of his writings, Mazin describes the catastrophic environmental impact of Israeli settler colonialism on the land of Palestine. He also shares how Palestinian civil society organizations are working to research, educate about, and conserve Palestine’s natural world, culture and heritage in the face of the current Israeli state’s human rights and environmental abuses. Meanwhile, he does not demonize the people of Israel, themselves, and his works reflect this. Rather, he strives for Peace, education, wellness and prosperity for all the Peoples sharing of that land. –Website

Co-Founder, Advocacy Director, Mangrove Action Project

With over 40 years’ experience in environmental communication and mobilization, former aerospace engineer Alfredo is the Co-Founder of the Mangrove Action Project (1992). Prior to this, he directed the Ancient Forest Chautauqua, a multimedia traveling forum on old-growth forests and indigenous dwellers. He has published numerous articles, book chapters, and conference papers on mangrove forest ecology, community-managed sustainable development, and shrimp aquaculture. – Website

Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter, educator, and activist, Libby Roderick is a recipient of numerous honors for her artistic achievements and work with difficult dialogues. As Director of the Difficult Dialogues Initiative and a recognized expert in Indigenous ways of teaching and learning, she facilitates transformative conversations and has authored/co-authored several key publications on the topic. A lifelong Alaskan, she skillfully merges her acclaimed music, grounded in social commentary, with her dedicated work fostering respectful discourse and advocating for meaningful change. - Website - Presenter Profile from 2019

Dr. Katie Ross is a sustainability expert and transformational learning leader with extensive experience in environmental management and regenerative agriculture. She has held leadership positions at Soils for Life and the University of Technology Sydney, driving impactful sustainability initiatives and mentoring the next generation of sustainability leaders. With a PhD focused on transformative sustainability learning, Dr. Ross combines rigorous research with practical application to foster significant environmental and social change. Her work spans diverse sectors including government, academia, and non-profits, demonstrating her versatility and commitment to creating sustainable solutions. - Substack‍ ‍LinkedIn

Mitch.earth – Alberta, Canada, North America

Mitch Rawlyk is an earth systems and meteorological data scientist dedicated to nature-based regenerative solutions. As a farmer and advocate, he grows his family’s food at Moose’s Groovy Grove and helps others understand their climate to improve food production. Mitch develops AI frost prediction models, climate visualization tools, and collaborates with permaculture organizations as an educator, consultant, and researcher to promote regenerative practices globally. – Website, LinkedIn

Tony Rinaudo, known as the “Forest Maker,” pioneered the Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) technique in Niger, enabling farmers to regrow over 50 million trees across 50,000 square kilometers using existing root systems and local vegetation. His simple method, which involves pruning and protecting dormant shrubs to grow into trees, empowers communities to restore degraded land sustainably. Rinaudo’s approach has regenerated land for millions while challenging unsustainable farming practices, proving that ecological repair is possible through local knowledge and farmer-led action. - Hall of Fame

Permaculture Action Network, Eco Social Design – California, USA, North America

Ryan Rising, a community organizer and permaculture educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area, co-founded the Permaculture Action Network and Gill Tract Community Farm. He has led over 93 Permaculture Action Days across the U.S., creating regenerative systems in community spaces. Ryan also consults for Ecosystem Restoration Camps, organizes urban commons, and teaches social permaculture and community organizing. – Instagram, Website

Margo Robbins is the co-founder and president of the Cultural Fire Management Council (CFMC). She is one of the key planners and organizers of the Cultural Burn Training Exchange(TREX) that takes place on the Yurok Reservation twice a year. She is also a co-lead and advisor for the Indigenous People’s Burn Network. Margo comes from the traditional Yurok village of Morek, and is an enrolled member of the Yurok Tribe. She gathers and prepares traditional food and medicine, is a basket weaver and regalia maker. She is the Indian Education Director for the Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School district, a mom, and a grandma. The Yurok live in a landscape that used to be over 50% prairie land. After gold was discovered in California in 1848, the use of fire by Native Americans was outlawed and fire was suppressed. Older forests were logged, and Douglas fir trees were planted by settlers to support a continuous supply of timber for their growing population, and trees took over the places the Yurok peoples had long maintained. – Website – Facebook

Jim Rough, Director of the Center for Wise Democracy, is a social innovator renowned for developing the "Dynamic Facilitation" and "Wisdom Council Process." These innovative methods empower individuals and organizations to tackle seemingly intractable issues like climate change and political gridlock through collaborative breakthroughs. His work facilitates transformative change by engaging diverse populations in creating shared vision and solutions, with successful implementations even enshrined in state constitutions. - Website - 2019 Presenter Profile

Steve Ruden owns Raven Works Design, where he applies analysis, design, and strategy implementation. With a background in woodwork and community organizing, Steve combines technical skills with a passion for environmental awareness and sustainable futures. He has dedicated over four decades to community engagement, environmental consulting, and geopolitical analysis, fostering meaningful change in regions like Seattle and British Columbia. Steve’s multidisciplinary approach merges entrepreneurship, counseling, and ecological stewardship to drive impactful solutions. - LinkedIn

Harmonic Hyphae – Washington, USA, North America

Drew Ryan, an experienced mycologist and founder of Harmonic Hyphae, focuses on medicinal mushrooms, herbal allies, and fostering harmony between humans and nature. With over a decade of expertise, Drew’s workshop explores the healing mechanisms of local and renowned medicinal mushrooms, their benefits for the Earth and our bodies, and the ethics of wildcrafting to stay in reciprocity with nature. – Instagram

Tribes and Natures Defenders – Philippines

Datu Lanelio Sangcoan, founder of Tribes and Natures Defenders Inc., is an eco-warrior protecting indigenous tribes and biodiversity in the Philippine rainforests. He collaborates with tribes on regenerative agriculture and forest gardening while advocating for their rights, ancestral lands, and sustainable development. – LinkedIn, Website, GERF Profile

The Desert to Grassland Team – USA, North America and Africa

Rodger Savory, a rancher and Holistic Management specialist since 1987, has managed cattle ranches and wildlife properties across Africa, Canada, Australia, and the U.S. Known for pioneering the Biological Carpeting Method, he restores desertified lands while balancing profits with environmental and social responsibility. Born in Africa and a U.S. Army veteran, Rodger holds a degree from the University of New Mexico. – Website, Instagram

Sergio is passionate about living lightly on this wonderful blue orb we call home, the kingdom of flora, natural building, water harvesting (rainwater and greywater), composting toilets, Permaculture, and land management practices. – Website

EcoRestoration Alliance – New York, USA, North America

Dr. Jon Schull, founder of e-NABLE, is a biological psychologist, entrepreneur, and innovator. He created a global network providing free 3D-printed prosthetics to underserved communities. A former professor and inventor with 19 patents, Schull now applies his expertise to climate solutions, advocating for habitat restoration and community-driven action. – LinkedIn, Website

Church of the Earth Society – BC, Canada, North America

Tass Two Crows Flying, an eco-therapist, shaman, and spiritual counselor, helps individuals achieve deep healing and spiritual growth through reconnection with nature. Rooted in eco-spirituality and shamanic wisdom, Tass’s workshops explore Terrapsychology, viewing the psyche as intertwined with Earth, and Earth’s archetypes, linking landscapes to universal energies. Both sessions include rituals and reflective questions to deepen connection and understanding. – Website

Author, The Reindeer Chronicles – Vermont, USA, North America

Judith D. Schwartz, an author and journalist, explores environmental, economic, and social challenges through stories that highlight solutions in natural systems. Her latest book, The Reindeer Chronicles, is a global journey of earth repair. With degrees from Brown, Columbia, and Northwestern, she writes for publications like The Guardian and Scientific American while living in Vermont, where she gardens, skis, and practices Uechi-Ryu karate. – Website, GERF Profile

Cândida Shinn is a sustainability expert coordinating the European segment of the upcoming Global Earth Repair Summit satellite event in Brazil. Based in Portugal, she drives initiatives with Ecotopias and Paraíso Tipu Tipu, blending research, permaculture, and community work. Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, her focus includes Indigenous issues, building on her experience fostering regeneration and connection across continents. - LinkedIn - Website

Executive Director, Project Beaver – USA, North America

Jakob is a wildlife biologist, entrepreneur, and storyteller with over a decade of experience restoring habitats in Oregon’s waterways. An expert in mitigating beaver conflicts, he blends scientific rigor, community values, and optimism to advance habitat restoration. Jakob’s work is inspired by a deep connection to his rural roots in the Siskiyou Mountains and a commitment to resilient human and non-human ecosystems. – Website

Katie Singer, author of An Electronic Silent Spring, explores the ecological and health impacts of our electronics. Inspired by stewardship principles, she investigates the unsustainable energy use, resource extraction, water consumption, and waste generation inherent in the technosphere. Katie advocates for protective solutions to safeguard both human health and the natural world. - Website

Ecosystem Restoration Practitioner, Policy Consultant, Environmental first responder - Firefighter. Works with John D. Liu at Ecosystem Restoration Communities. – Website

Singh is an ambitious neurodivergent polymath, community educator, and Dharmic pollinator. His podcast "Political Hope with Indy Rishi Singh", reaches thousands of listeners every week. Indy recently stepped into the role of Executive Director with the 501c3 nonprofit, Cultivating Self, which is expanding the framework of healthcare to include ecological medicines, food and nature as medicines, spirituality as medicine, and regenerative Doughnut economics as medicine. – Website

Flora Northwest – Washington, USA, North America

Alex Slakie is a restoration ecologist, botanist, and herbalist specializing in willow coppicing, medicinal plants, and habitat restoration in the Pacific Northwest. With 17 years of experience, he integrates ecological restoration with social justice, seeking pathways to heal both the environment and communities. Alex also develops systems for fire mitigation using coppicing and biochar production while connecting people to the land through restoration and plant propagation. – Website

Sarah is Director, Conservation and Strategic Partnerships at the Jefferson Land Trust. She grew up in the Northwest, in Seattle and the San Juan Islands. She received her undergraduate degree in marine biology from Western Washington University and a graduate degree in coastal zone management from the School of Marine Affairs at the University of Washington. Sarah was originally hired as a project coordinator in 1996 for what was then called the North Quimper Peninsula Wildlife Corridor. She has served as Jefferson Land Trust’s Executive Director, and now oversees projects and partnerships in her role as Director of Conservation. She works closely with landowners and community members, as well as governmental and non-profit agencies to shepherd land projects through to protection. Prior to working at Jefferson Land Trust, she served as a marine consultant with the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, along with a long stint working on natural history charter boats in Southeast Alaska. – Website

Suburban Permaculture – Oregon, USA, North America

Jan Spencer is an advocate of paradigm shift – moving past capitalism and the consumer culture. Paradigm shift is not the future, it is now. Jan has been transforming his 1/4 acre suburban property for 25 years. He has ongoing contact with many pioneers of a preferred future and writes about inspiring aspects of paradigm shift in the book he is writing, “A Primer For Paradigm Shift.” – Website

Rhythm Seed Farm, Earth & Spirit Botanicals – Oregon, USA, North America

Reishi Strauss, an herbalist and mycologist from the Appalachian Mountains, blends her Bastyr University training with a passion for connecting science and spirit. Her workshop, Stewarding Psilocybe Fungi, teaches propagation techniques for native Psilocybe species, including spore prints, mycelium transfer, and woodchip pasteurization, to support their growth as native entheogens in the PNW bioregion. – Website

Gene Tagaban/Guuy Yaau (he/him) - Cherokee, Tlingit, Filipino - Over the last 40 years Gene has worked nationally and internationally creating a world in which we want to belong. Gene's passion is mentoring, speaking, performing, facilitation and healing. Gene is a board member and trainer with the Native Wellness Institute, an organization to keep our ancestral wisdom alive and healing from historical trauma. Gene facilitates PROJECT SKODEN, a male wellness, healing and mentorship program to end Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Hurt and Harm. Gene is a specialty instructor and honorary uncle with the Wilderness Awareness School, has been featured at storytelling festivals nationally and internationally and performs with Khu'eex, a Native Funk band based out of seattle. Gene is always open to sharing stories, spirit and inspiration with people of all ages, genders and ethnicities. In the words of one participant,  "Gene has the ability to make the audience feel safe while holding our hearts in his hands." – Website

Cliff Taylor, an enrolled member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, is a celebrated poet, writer, speaker, and storyteller. He shares his unique Indigenous perspective on the natural world through powerful poetry and inspired discussion, offering attendees "Our Indigenous Earth: A Poetry Reading and Inspired Discussion About Our Mother the Earth." - Website

Church of the Earth – Washington, USA, North America

Robin Tekwelus Youngblood, Okanagon/Tsalagi, is a shamanic practitioner, teacher, and author who shares Indigenous wisdom through healing practices, workshops, and ceremonies worldwide. A founder of Grandmothers Circle the Earth, she promotes sustainable, earth-honoring lifestyles and teaches online shamanic courses. Robin authored Path of the White Wolf and travels globally to share her teachings. – Website, Facebook

Andhra Pradesh Community-Managed Natural Farming – India, Asia

Vijay Thallam is the Executive Vice Chairman of Rythu Sadhikara Samstha and an advisor on agriculture to Andhra Pradesh’s government. With 37 years in government, he has led initiatives empowering 11.5 million rural women and championed climate-resilient, community-managed natural farming. He also served as Vice Chair (Productions) for the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021. – CIFOR-ICRAF, APCNF

As a founding pioneer and current leader in ecological design, Dr. John Todd has championed innovative, nature-inspired solutions for water and waste treatment for over 50 years. His work, recognized globally with numerous awards including a Presidential Recognition, blends cutting-edge engineering with ecological principles to create sustainable, affordable, and integrated solutions for diverse environments worldwide. - Website

Tracker is Chiricahua Apache, Ute Aztec and Pasquale Yaqui. Tracker is Co-chair of the Leonard Peltier Committee and associated with the IOAT (Indians of all Tribes). She is the creator of the International Indigenous Unity Flag. She will help facilitate the Indigenous Caucus. "I am 'Tracker' Ginamarie, I’m from the Chiricahua Apache, Ute Aztec and Pasquale Yaqui. We have a right to Nature. Nature does not own us, we do not own Nature. We have a right to take care of Nature, Nature is not separate from us, we are one with Nature, we are all united. We have a symbiotic relationship with Nature, with the trees, the water, the land, Earth and life force. Nature has Rights and no one owns it. I have the authority and the right and responsibility to speak to Nature." – Website

Matthew Trumm is a Permaculture educator, designer, and consultant, speaker, and regenerative landscape contractor (Treetop Industries, lic#1126298) from Oroville California, in Butte County. Matthew started to study Permaculture in 2011, and immediately made it his life's mission to share the blessings of Permaculture to as many people as possible. Matthew has now pioneered countless Permaculture based projects throughout the State, which all dwell in the ever expanding web of projects and businesses under the umbrella, Treetop Permaculture / Treetop Industries. Treetop specializes in Education, demonstration, and consultation of Permaculture design. – Website

Andrew Tuttle and Mary Marshall of Redtail Edge Design are regenerative agriculture experts specializing in innovative landscape design and farming education. Combining practical experience with cutting-edge technology, they create sustainable and productive environments for farms, homesteads, and ecological restoration. As instructors for upcoming permaculture workshops and farm education sessions, they empower communities with accessible knowledge and tools to advance sustainable agriculture. Based out of Bellingham and Arlington, WA, Redtail Edge Design serves the Pacific Northwest through their innovative design approach and commitment to regenerative practices. - Website

Raskal Turbeville, an innovative mycologist and citizen scientist, explores the profound connections between fungi, death, and life. He cultivates mushrooms for food, medicine, and ecological remediation while working to break down stigmas surrounding fungi. Turbeville brings an integrative approach to mycology, combining scientific study with community education, permaculture consultation, and business development in the field. - Instagram

Salix Cooperative – Washington, USA, North America

Tuck, a restoration ecologist, applies a holistic and Gaian approach to cultivating resilient forests, meadows, and rivers, embracing animism and an earthen perspective. His talk weaves poetic science with Gaia Theory, exploring the relationships that sustain life—seashells and mountains, forests and rain, microbes and cooperation. Through stories of Earth’s interwoven systems, Tuck calls for radical participation in the unfolding creativity of our living planet. – LinkTree

Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) — Restoring functional native plant communities | Creating conditions needed by beavers | Involving youth in restoration. Julie has worked at the intersection of ecological restoration and education for over 25 years. I graduated from the British Columbia Institute of Technology in environmental technology and from Barstow College in child development / education. I’ve invested in teaching in outdoor and ecological education and public school contexts, working with all ages in Southern British Columbia, Northern California, South Eastern Quebec, and North Central Washington. As a Career and Technical Education High School Teacher, I worked with students to start a native plant nursery and a farm to table program. I also coordinated work-based learning and involved students in all phases of stream restoration. – LinkedIn

Co-Executive Director, Co-Founder, The Farmers Land Trust. Kristina Villa is a farmer, communicator, and community coordinator who believes that our connection to the soil is directly related to the health of our bodies, economy, and society. With over a decade of farming, communication, and fundraising experience, Kristina enjoys using her skill sets to share photos, stories, and information in engaging ways which help to inspire change in human habits and mindsets, causing the food system, climate, and overall well-being of the world to improve. Kristina has spent the last several years of her professional career saving farmland from development and securing it in nonprofit land holding structures that give farmers, stewards and ranchers long-term and affordable access and tenure to it. Most of her work in the land access space has focused on equitable land security for BIPOC growers, addressing the inequities and disparities in how land is owned and accessed in this country. – Website

Sea Plants Solutions – Washington, USA, North America

Tim Visi, a marine biologist with decades of experience, began his career studying lemon sharks in the Bahamas and later served as a Marine Fisheries Observer for NMFS and NOAA. His lecture introduces proprietary Land-based Modular SSTC Systems—innovative, sustainable seaweed production systems that bioremediate thousands of gallons of acidified water daily while offering a new income-generating model. – Website

Decolonizing Water, Water Stories, Elemental Ecosystems – Montana, USA, North America

Zach Weiss, the first Holzer Practitioner certified by Sepp Holzer, founded Elemental Ecosystems to restore watersheds and regenerate ecosystems globally. His firm specializes in water retention landscapes, agroforestry, aquaculture, and natural building, creating abundant, resilient systems across 19 countries and five continents. Zach’s approach blends systems thinking and ecological expertise to transform landscapes into thriving oases. – Website, GERF Profile, Instagram

Paula Westmoreland and Lindsay Rebhan of Ecological Design are visionary leaders combining decades of technical expertise with profound spiritual understanding of ecological systems. Paula founded the consultancy in 1999 and serves as lead designer, bringing a Master's degree in Ecology and pioneering work in regenerative agriculture. Lindsay, as CEO, leads the organization with a background in environmental studies and international research on food systems. Together, they merge scientific knowledge with land-based wisdom, empowering diverse clients from farmers to Tribal Nations through their specialized design and consulting services, and fostering a holistic approach to land stewardship. - Website

Rebecca Wildbear, renowned soul guide and Earth advocate with over 15 years of experience integrating animism and nature connection, invites you to "Wild Remembering: Animism for the Modern Soul." This transformative workshop guides you to deepen your perception and relationship with the natural world, empowering you to see and engage with nature as conscious. You'll learn practical ways to enter direct, reciprocal conversations with the Earth – offering praise, sharing questions and feelings, and listening for responses with all your senses. Join Rebecca to reawaken your animistic perception and become a participatory partner in the vibrant, conscious community of life. - Website