Healing our Connection to Nature - January Newsletter
Kia ora,
Welcome to the Biome Newsletter, January edition - featuring updates from our giftees & local ecosystem.
As we roll into 2025, it’s hard not to reflect on the challenges that have defined the previous year, and into the present—natural disasters, fires, political shifts, and the ongoing fight for climate and ecological justice.
Yet, even in the face of adversity, we find stories of resilience and humanity, people and organisations creating change from the edges, from grassroots - keeping hope alive.
In nature, looking at the micro, enables us to see the macro; Indigenous wisdom reminds us to look back, in order to look forward - both help us rediscover our interconnected relationship to the world around us.
To quote Robin Wall Kimmerer, “solving our planet's greatest challenges—climate change and biodiversity loss—requires more than innovation. It demands transformation. By embracing Indigenous knowledge and recognizing humanity's role as caretakers, not conquerors, we can restore balance to the Earth.
We are change-makers and Earth-shapers, our survival depends on recognizing that we are not separate from nature—we are nature.”
We hope you enjoy this month’s collection of updates.
Ngā mihi aroha
- Biome Trust
Giftee Updates
Papawhakaritorito Trust features on Whakaata Māori as a free 8-part series exploring Food & Soil Sovereignty in Aotearoa. More
Ma Earth interviews Nate Hagens, host of the Great Simplification, challenging what we think we know about economics, energy, and the future. More
Organics Aotearoa highlights the dangers of the Gene Technologies Bill - public submissions are open until 17th Feb 2025. More
Happen Films latest film features Rongoā Māori and wild medicines with renowned practitioner Donna Kerridge. More
Learning Environment are hosting a Intro to Permaculture Camp at Piwakawaka Farms 22-23 February. More
Tiwaiwaka presents an online store featuring a range of books and organic cotton t-shirt design by NZ Artist G.Parker. More
Underground is a two day festival experience celebrating soil, food & farming, hosted at Greystone Winery, Ōtautahi Christchurch,19 & 20 February 2025. More
Kelmarna Gardens is hosting their annual Harvest Festival on March 16th featuring local food, music and more. Save the Date
Mangaroa Farms pasture-raised, regenerative beef & lamb is available for delivery across the North Island of NZ. More
Kōanga Institute is hosting the Ultimate Seed Saving & Food Security Masterclass 9th – 16th February 2025 in Wairoa. More
Earth Law Center features on Culture Hack Labs - Insights from an Earth Lawyer: Giving a Voice and Right to Rivers. More
Local Futures celebrates 50 years since beginning high on the Tibetan Plateau with the article: Hope is a muscle: What keeps us going, year after year. More
One Earth’s Climate Hero series features Robin Wall Kimmerer, Weaving Indigenous and Western science: a vision for healing our relationship with nature. More
Additional News
Earthbeat Festival celebrating music, regeneration, art and community is hosted at Atiu Creek Regional Park, 19-23 March 2025. More
The Treaty Principles Bill in Aotearoa NZ has received a record number of public submissions, which closed at 1pm on 14th Jan. More
Predator Free NZ highlights the best tips to feed native birds in your backyard. More
Edmund Hillary Fellowship are hosting the 2025 Hillary Innovation Summit on 17-18 February 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. More
Arizona State University study reveals lasting effects of common weed killer, Glyphosate on brain health. More
“The Earth doesn’t need us to dominate her. She needs us to listen, learn, and act as humble partners.”
