Shaping the World of Tomorrow - November Newsletter
Image credit - Globaïa
Kia ora,
Welcome to the Biome Newsletter, November edition - featuring updates from our giftees & local ecosystem.
November has been a big month, with the Ma Earth Grants Round 2 completed, distributing over $200K USD to 30 land regeneration projects around the world.
Meanwhile, COP29 took place in Azerbaijan, with world leaders discussing and committing to global environmental goals, alongside the US elections, dividing millions of people across opposing political views.
In Aotearoa New Zealand we saw tens of thousands campaign on a hikoi [journey] to parliament to demonstrate the beginning of a unified Aotearoa response to the Government’s proposed changes to the country’s founding document, Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
More recently, we were shocked to hear about the devastating fire that tore through the farm at Papawhakaritorito Trust, destroying the learning centre, and inside it all seed stock, books and more. Luckily Dr Jessica Hutchings and her wife Jo escaped safely, but rebuilding will be a tough road ahead. More on this below.
As we grapple with all of the happenings both locally and around the world, we continue to hold a beacon of hope, with a growing list of giftees and projects continuing to create positive change in their local bioregions.
We hope you enjoy this month’s collection of updates.
Ngā mihi aroha
- Biome Trust
Papawhakaritorito Fire Support
Papawhakaritorito Trust recently suffered a devastating fire in the farm house which destroyed the entire structure, and within it, valuable seed stores & educational material for the trust’s mission.
Images (above) features the charred remains of a Hua Parakore booklet, and (below) the Papawhakaritorito Farm, now in a state of ashes and rubble.
A Givealittle page has been set up to support Jess & Jo as they work to salvage what they can and begin to rebuild their beloved garden and wānanga space of learning. Please consider supporting if you can.
Papawhakaritorito Trust Farm, now in a state of ashes & rubble.
Giftee Updates
Globaïa (featured cover image) is blending science, art, and storytelling, seeking to expand planetary understanding through inspiring map visualisations. More
Mangaroa Farms hosted their annual November Open Day last weekend, featuring garden tours, farm workshops, local food & more. Highlights
Ma Earth has released a summary for Grants Round 2, distributing a matching pool of $200k using quadratic funding on Gitcoin. More
Kōanga Institute is fundraising Grain Grow Out, to help preserve essential knowledge, culture, biodiversity & food for a more sustainable future. Donate
Tiwaiwaka recently held their first public wānanga space for people interested in restoring the mauri of the whenua. More
Rewiring Aotearoa looks at the impending need to transition from household gas to electrification systems. More
House of Science is empowering teachers to raise scientific literacy, providing comprehensive and engaging science resources. More
Learning Environment are hosting a three-day Wellbeing and Rongoā retreat this summer, including lush nature experiences, medicinal harvesting and more. Details
Happen Films share their upcoming film releases, including Rongoā Māori with Donna Kerridge, and revisiting earlier guests at The Plummery and The New Peasants. More
Learning Environment is hosting a weekly Potting Up Party on Thursdays at their Native Plant Nursery at Pīwaiwaka Farm. Join
Kaupapa Tū Wairua are exploring new regulatory framework for controlled Taonga species such as Psilocybe Weraroa. More
Toru Education is showcasing a range of local events, including a monthly permaculture trail, bushcraft, breadmaking & no-stress gardening. More
Organics Aotearoa has been campaigning against NZ government fast-tracking legislation that could see a new GMO seed regime in place before the end of 2025. More
Everybody is a Treasure is a local Upper Hutt charity developing youth through art and nature. More
4 A Better City is a non-profit organisation making a positive difference through community food production, composting & mental health support in Upper Hutt City. More
Eco-index are guiding biodiversity investment in Aotearoa by providing interactive 3D maps full of ecosystem reconstruction information. More
The Gift Trust connects charitable giving with organisations who are making a difference on the ground in the areas you care most about. More
Local Futures has released a brand new short animation: Trade Gone Mad, available in 11 languages, and distilling Local Futures' big-picture message into 4 mins. Watch
One Earth’s One Earth's Deputy Director sat down with Ma Earth to discuss climate science, conservation imperatives, and bioregionalism. More
Earth Law Center highlights how Vanuatu, along with Fiji and Samoa, have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider ecocide an international crime. More
Culture Hack Labs amplifies voices of those who are protecting life, weave webs of solidarity, and defend that which is sacred. More
Culture Hack Labs Issue 07: Beyond the Carbon Fixation; Pathways to Regenerative Futures.
Culture Hack Labs presents a series of created and curated content on the dominant narratives and how they can be reframed for systems change. In association with Ma Earth, explore Culture Hack Labs Issue 07.
“The most important thing about Spaceship Earth - an instruction manual didn’t come with it.”
