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The Earth Charter Pillars & Principles Preamble We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations. Earth, Our Home Humanity is part of a vast evolving universe. Earth, our home, is alive with a unique community of life. The forces of nature make existence a demanding and uncertain adventure, but Earth has provided the conditions essential to life’s evolution. The resilience of the community of life and the well-being of humanity depend upon preserving a healthy biosphere with all its ecological systems, a rich variety of plants and … Read more

A gypsy moth caterpillar can eat about one square metre of leaves as it goes from a little tiny new caterpillar to a great big adult one that’s ready to pupate. That’s a fair amount of foliage for just one little caterpillar. The voracious caterpillars threatening Ontario’s trees, the gypsy moth caterpillar (Lymantria dispar) isn’t fussy about what it eats. Once it’s done with the trees, it’ll even drop down and feed on understory plants and bushes. In 2019, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry used aerial photography to determine gypsy moths had defoliated 47,203 hectares. By 2020, the damage had spread to 586,385 hectares. That’s a 1,200 percent increase.The population of gypsy moths is cyclical, with large outbreaks every seven to 10 years The gypsy moth caterpillars are invading Ontario this year. It has become a significant pest because the caterpillars have voracious appetites for more than 300 species of trees and shrubs, posing a danger to North America’s forests. The caterpillars defoliate trees, leaving trees vulnerable to diseases and other pests and can eventually kill the tree. A gypsy moth infestation at this stage lasts an average of 10 days for females and 13 days for males … Read more

In 1983 when I arrived here on this organic land I created these neat, tidy and immaculate gardens. Totally weed-free, as the years went by the gardens had their own plans of succession and diversity. Gradually the gardens grew and evolved into a young forest garden. I was humbled numerous times as the herbs, shrubs and trees grew and more shade-filled this landscape. Humbled and open to evolving, I realized that it is not only possible to work with the Earth in a way that nourishes life and culture, but that this ‘way’ is our ancestral birthright. I was able to see a synergistic process occurring with the life already thriving on the land, with the surrounding ecology — and with the land’s natural successions of regenerative growth over time. I moved into a deeper level of being; to live in a fully connected, renewable and soulfully present way with the living Earth. Now, 40-years later I continue to foster and share this embodiment of the living skills and sacred way that is essential to engage with the larger spirit and ecology of the Earth, to live the blessing of the green world and redirect my collective and personal path. … Read more

live in a world where men and women are truly equal. Oh, not just ‘equal opportunity or ‘equal rights. It’s something more delicious, liberating and joyful. The memory of abuse that had so plagued women and those who identified as women have healed.  There’s a recognition of the unique differences and what is complementary in masculine and feminine energies. The patriarchal systems have long passed away and with them, the ‘power over’ mentality that dominated women and the Earth for over 6,000 years.  Pause for a moment. What would that feel like?… Can you remember?  No longer is a woman’s or anyone’s body held as anything other than sacred. The Earth is honoured as the great Mother and, like all women, the giver of Life. To hurt the Sacred Elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth knowingly would never cross a person’s mind. How could it? The entire educational system is designed around respect for Life, and most of the education is directly on the land in apprenticeship with the elders.  You might be saying right now, ‘Yeh sure, nice fantasy’.  Oh, there are lots of reasons to feel this way. We have been told that human nature is selfish, … Read more

“Live courageously into the pain and uncertainty. Find that which cannot be lost. And you will live into a story worthy of these times.” ~Joe Brewer This we all know is true; our world is changing. For the past year, we have taken time to listen deeply and tune into ‘what’s next’. A few of you have heard or have been part of our evolving conversations regarding the new emerging normal.  Forced out of the familiar patterns of one’s life we believe this is the perfect moment to redefine oneself. it’s time to make new choices and step into our full power to propel ourselves and our culture forward. The global shutdown shifted our world into a “phase transition.” These are magical moments in time of great opportunity found throughout nature, where profound change is possible. Our invitation is to join us through our uniquely designed empowerment mentorship programs in the new science of consciousness. Ecological regeneration redefines what is possible and how to take full advantage of this critical moment to unlock your transformation. How do you want to respond to the calling of our collective future? We need to remember that we are part of this living planet. … Read more

You could say both of us spent our adult life imbued by the wholistic field. It was new, exciting and on the edge back in the ’70s. I, Lorenna, exploring consciousness and earth connection, and Shantree diving into his love for plants through herbalism and nutrition.  We loved supporting people in natural ways to heal their body-mind and deepen into the important questions of ‘Who am I?’, ’Why am I here?’ and ‘What is my service to the world?’ Life was full and fulfilling. About 25 years ago a deep and almost unbearable yearning to be of greater service to, what was becoming a withering planet’ began to emerge. Yes we know that healthy people make for a healthier planet yet we also saw that many people, while celebrating a healthier more vibrant lifestyle were not connecting the dots between the health of the Earth and human action.  This is about the time that Shantree and I met and the Centre started to go through it’s metamorphosis from being mostly a herbal centre to an eco-spiritual centre. Courses were created that reflected a larger vision of what health means.   Programs that addressed practical needs such as food, nutrition and … Read more

‘If governments won’t solve the climate, hunger, health, and democracy crises, then the people will. Regenerative agriculture living provides answers to the soil crisis, the food crisis, the health crisis, climate crisis and the crisis of democracy.” ~Dr.Vandana Shiva Message from Elders of the Future In the decade of the 2020s, we asked ourselves the question – In the Crisis: Regeneration or Degeneration. A significant shift was upon us. Here are a few steps we took to become herbal forest dwellers. Imagine waking up in the morning of 2030 living in a herbal ecovillage – everyone is acting as an ecosystem participant contributing to the whole, thriving in a regenerative forest community—fully connected forest dwellers. The basis of this earth culture is a living – like a tree’s metaphor for our society. The root system is our relationship with the earth, and the stem of the tree or hardwood that it’s the centre of the trunk is our core governance. The branches are the various cultural expressions, and the leaves are us as individuals. The ecological wisdom and knowledge of regenerative culture are – giving attention to and respecting communicating with the land and holding the ancient plant language as … Read more

Collaborators & *Regenepreneur We are always looking to connect with skilled, energetic people who have an interest in collaborating with others who care about regeneration and what it means to create a healthy Earth community.   The Living Centre is a 50 acre, Eco-spiritual organic Permaculture centre. We have been in operation since 1983, initially as both a production garden and herbal centre. For almost 40-years, our focus has been mostly on education. Over the years we have planted thousands of trees including fruit and medicinal species. We have 3 wetlands, 3 ponds, an abundance of wildlife, a 25-acre untouched heritage forest, gardens, sacred spaces, an Earthship greenhouse, a strawbale studio and a cordwood/cob shed.  There is great abundance here. We are opening up opportunities for the right people to become a part of the Centre as an Ecosystem Participant.   What is an Ecosystem Participant? An Ecosystem Participant is someone who resonates with the vision, ethics and philosophy of the Centre. Who has skills or is willing to receive training at the Centre to acquire the skills needed for their project. Also, to participate in the required education to gain a clear understanding of the eco-spiritual principles our Centre abides by.  … Read more

There is a tremendous increase in nutrients in sprouted foods when compared to their dried embryo. In sprouting, the vitamins, minerals and protein increase substantially with a corresponding decrease in calories and carbohydrate content. These comparisons are based on the equivalent water content in the foods measured. Analysis of dried seeds, grains and legumes shows a very low water content. But this increases up to tenfold when the same food is converted into sprouts. For an accurate comparison, each must be brought to a common denomination of equal water content to assess the exact change in nutritional value. Sprouted mung beans, for instance, have an 8.3 increase of water content over dried beans. The nutritional value of sprouted and dried mung beans can be compared by multiplying the-analyzed nutrients of sprouted mung beans by the factor of 8.3. Based on this criterion, the changes found in sprouted mung beans when compared with the figures for the beans in the dried state are as follows: Energy content – calories Decrease 15 percent Total carbohydrate content Decrease 15 percent Protein availability Increase 30 percent Calcium content Increase 34 percent Potassium content Increase 80 percent Sodium content Increase 690 percent Iron content Increase … Read more