WE ARE NATURE RISING!

WE ARE NATURE RISING is the next generation of leaders that take direction from the principles of nature and the wisdom of elders.

We are a movement of Action in the context of Wisdom.

In times of rapid change, political de-stabilization and surpassed ecological limits, we are no longer in business as usual. There is a demand right now for leadership that takes direction from social-ecological principles that create a regenerative society going forward. The principled leadership at Standing Rock is the inspiration for this project.

We believe that as humans, we are nature and that right now we are actively rising to not only protect the water but to create healthy systems based on living principles.

Our focus is on growing the capacity of Next Gen youth, ages 20 – 30 years old, in a reciprocal learning network of elders and mentors to awaken ecological identity and foster the leadership skills necessary to act on behalf of the planet, through innovative, highly relevant educational experiences. We Are Nature Rising will activate the next generation of leaders to stand as allies with existing social and environmental justice movements.

By 2020, We Are Nature Rising will have seeded, organized, empowered, and funded native and non-native youth led environmental projects nationwide.

Please support our movement!

We Are Nature Rising is Committed to Four Key Goals:

• Provide proactive training and mentorship with native and non-native wisdom keepers to build capacity for leadership, peacemaking, mentoring, nature connection and regenerative community practices
• Create opportunities for indigenous youth to have a powerful, positive influence on their own community and future generations
• Activate teams of empowered, nature-connected youth leaders to take initiative, bolster existing social or environmental justice movements, and respond to calls for guidance from communities in need
• Build a network and movement in which nature connected individuals can find guidance, support, fellowship and purpose

In 2017, We Are Nature Rising will:

• Create an alliance of 50+ Nature Connection organizations in North America that will partner with We Are Nature Rising.
• Organize a  Summit of Native Advisors in early 2018: this visionary gathering will establish the framework for a cross-cultural, two-year collaborative fellowship exchange for next generation youth. During year one, a cohort of fellows will participate in cultural immersions in four regional native communities. During year two, each fellow will be guided to develop and deliver a project that will measurably impact a native environmental social justice issue. 
• Identify indigenous and visionary leaders wishing to participate and co-create in the process and curriculum of the summit, as well as engage in ongoing mentoring for post-summit community youth projects.
  
• Raise funding to advance the movement.

We Are Nature Rising is a collaborative project between Founder Mark Morey, Executive Director Kate Yeomans and Merrohawke Nature School, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.  In October 2016, after visiting the water protection camps at Standing Rock, North Dakota, Mark Morey reached out to Kate Yeomans, Merrohawke’s executive director, and envisioned a new direction for the nature connection movement, inspired by the youth of Standing Rock and the principled leadership of this indigenous led movement.