— by Susan Eirich, Ph.D. — "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may."—Robert Herrick Her email address was singnsoar, echoing her two great passions, opera singing and flying. She was a woman who lived her life with great intensity. A world-class opera singer who opened in most of the world’s major opera houses, her gorgeous and powerful voice poured forth from the depth of her, exquisitely modulated by her disciplined craft. An experienced, top-notch pilot, she took people on glider flights to see the glory of the Grand Tetons. A beloved teacher, she helped her students find their voice, believing in them when they didn’t believe yet in themselves. There is no greater gift to give than...

“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”—John E. Lewis April marks the launch of the Earthfire Council of All Beings 2018: Showing Up for Life on Earth, our multispecies initiative toward finding a new way of living on the Earth. Central to the Council of All Beings is the fact that we cannot do it alone. We need each other; and that means all of Life, not just human. Again, we need each other. Thus we invite all Life to come into Council with us so that we can include other intelligences, perspectives and wisdoms in our understanding of LIfe, and thus make more informed decisions on how to care for our Earth. The Council is dedicated to coming together in community to...

In a world of increasing uncertainty and chaos, we have a great opportunity to make dramatic positive changes in our relationship with nature, with the help of the animals. We invite you to join forces with Earthfire Institute to foster this change by hosting an intimate Changemakers’ Circle with Dr. Susan Eirich, in person or via a live, interactive video conference in your home. Bring together a few friends to share a cup of tea, or a dinner, and engage in rich, deep conversation, working towards inspiring positive solutions to our current environmental crises. Together you and Susan can create the focus of the conversation and the feel of the evening. It’s a lovely way to introduce...

Next week I will be attending an invitational retreat of 25 change-makers in Santa Fe. I would like to invite you along metaphorically, so your voices can be heard too, as I carry the messages of the animals and humans who care about them. We will each be going as deeply as we can about what we can contribute to the essential paradigm shift we need to live in harmony on our exquisite Earth. There will be conversation, meditation, and ancient practices such as Qi Gong. I would welcome any thoughts or readings you would like to share, so please email susan@earthfireinstitute.org with "Thoughts for Santa Fe" in the subject line. The retreat is March 21–26 so I can receive anything you want...

The official launch of the Earthfire Council of All Beings starts in April, when we begin to roll out this special year-long program, under the umbrella title, “Showing Up for Life on Earth.” The Earthfire Council of All Beings is a way for us to come together and share with each other what motivates us to care for our Earth and all the Life upon it; but it’s also a way for us to learn together what Nature is asking of us, through the voices and perspectives of the wild animals we’ve come in contact with in our lives. And it is a way for us to support one another in finding our personal path to taking action. The “All Beings” part of “Council of All Beings” is something...