Relationship & Restoration: A Model for Community Healing
“Culture is beyond definition and limitation – a concept or a box. It is the living, evolving soul of the people.” ~ Dr. M.J. Miller
Research & Model Development
The Nature Studies Conservatory (NSC) is vested in restoring life giving resources and systems. We explore aligning with the Earth’s natural rhythms and processes (i.e., biomimicry) to inspire innovative ideas and collaboratively create solutions that advance a restorative relationship with the planet. The Culture of Sustainability (COS) Outreach Project involves individuals, organizations, and businesses interested in unifying vision to co-create sustainable local/global communities. We address the intersectionality of multi-layered issues that not only affect the planet’s ecosystems and resources; but, also social-economic development; health and wellbeing; and our quality of life. The connection between societal structure and relationship development has far reaching implications in co-creating a sustainable culture that is harmonized with the environment. We engage in dialogue to develop effective strategies, models, and tools for reducing our collective carbon footprint and general over-consumption. Our work is to increase altruistic relationship and contribute to the healing of communities and the Earth.
Restorative Communities: Entrepreneurship, Partnerships, & Collaborative Economics
Ancestral-Indigenous, Cultural Arts, Sciences, & Tech ◦ Farm-to-Table Microfarming ◦ Apothecary Medicinals ◦ Bio-Energy & Fuel
Wellness, Lifestyle, & Entrepreneurship with Food, Housing, & Resource Security
It is recognized that quality of life, relationship with Nature/stewardship of our environment, and personal health and wellbeing are inextricably linked—and that central to health and vitality is the integration of body, mind, spirit, and the emotions. This holistic understanding and the paradigm shift inherent to it are driving major changes in our society and creating new markets. For BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) who have limited income and financial resources these critical preventive and restorative products and services are out of reach. Increasing numbers of BIPOC are looking for these resources and led to establishment of BIPOC wellness and lifestyle businesses (i.e., The Loveland Foundation, Inner Workout, Naaya, Black Girl In Om, BLK+GRN, Pur-Home, Freedom Apothecary).
Land Relationship: Authenticity, Stewardship, & Quality of Life
The NSC Healing Center’s Living Sanctuary Intentional Community (IC) includes a land trust with conservancy and preservation. The IC will provide assistance and resources for healing from oppression and trauma as well as increasing economic/healthy housing/food security and restoring land-community relationship. This is the first of several nature-relational projects to establish BIPOC-supportive, green-sustainable/carbon neutral/regenerative intentional community assisted by collaborative partnerships. Our Leadership certificate program also will provide students with an opportunity to contribute to the intentional community’s development.
Each resident will receive support to develop an empowering, eco-based vision/mission that is aligned with personal authenticity/purpose, clarify strengths/needs, and access effective strategies/tools for optimizing quality of life. The Living Sanctuary (IC) includes a social ecopreneurship startup community with a hybrid co-operative and incubator. This healing community will promote trauma recovery and increase altruistic presence and resources for underserved, disadvantage, and BIPOC people while contributing to the restoration of the planet.
Contact us for more information, to get involved or to join the Living Sanctuary Healing Community! We also would like to hear about your organization and to discuss working together for a common goal of local-global sustainability.
