Banner-making, tree climbing, non-violence training and more

Barking up a Tree
At Wild Earth, tree climbing trainers will be on hand each day to teach proper technique and safety for canopy research, banner hangings and treetop occupations. Fun for all ages!

Role-Playing Games
Non-violence trainers demonstrate how to de-escalate conflicts. Role-playing exercises put those skills to the test with mock confrontations. Take turns playing the "good guys" and the "bad guys."

Grassy Narrows
Find out more about the longest running forest defense blockade in Canada, established by First Nations in 2002 and still going on in Northern Ontario.

Finger Paints
Banner messaging is an art. This workshop provides materials, paint, and brushes (optional), plus tips on how to get the point across.

Jailhouse Rock
Ask a radical lawyer: he's on your side! Learn all about legal rights for arrestees, the ins and outs of injunctions, and what everyone risking arrest needs to know about the law.

Many more workshops will be announced once they're confirmed. For updates emailed directly to you, sign up for the Wild Earth list! See right-hand sidebar.

Meet the Wild Earth Keynote Speakers: Mike Roselle

Here at Wild Earth headquarters, the place is buzzing with emails and phone calls as folks respond to our announcement about this year's rendezvous.

One of yesterday's messages was from Mike Roselle, co-founder of Earth First!, the Ruckus Society, Rainforest Action Network, and countless other eco-groups. Now the publisher of Lowbagger -- and still the Man Without a Bioregion -- Mike has accepted our invitation to present a keynote address at Wild Earth 2007. Assuming, of course, that he can get across the border from Montana. His attorneys are already at work to clear those hurdles. (Go, team!)

Mike says he's lost count of how many times he's been arrested at nonviolent anti-war and environmental civil disobedience. His dispatches from the road can be read on Lowbagger.org.

Keynote speaker: Chief Qwatsinas

In the past few months I've been speaking with Chief Qwatsinas, (Ed Moody), a hereditary chief in the Nuxalk Nation. Qwatsinas and the House of Smayusta - Nuxalk traditionalists in Bella Coola - were the driving force behind the campaign to protect the Great Bear Rainforest in the 1990's. But the House of Smayusta did not sign on to the Great Bear Rainforest Agreement last year. Qwatsinas told me about his problems with the Great Bear deal while I was researching an article on the subject. Qwatsinas and a group of other traditional Nuxalk folks will be traveling to Wild Earth this year to discuss protecting Nuxalk territory and spirit bear habitat on the central coast.

Keynote speaker: Joe Foy

Joe Foy is one of Canada's best-known environmentalists. His campaign work with the Western Canada Wilderness Committee began in 1987. As National Campaign Director, he'll bring us up to date on the Committee's grassroots work to protect endangered species, old-growth rainforests, and provincial parks. Joe lives in the Vancouver area with his family.

The amazing Wild Earthlings

The group is small and dedicated -- an all-volunteer, grassroots, consensus project run on a shoestring budget. And what the Wild Earthlings achieve each year is nothing short of amazing.

Feedback from Wild Earth 2006 participants:

“I learned quite a bit, and my perception really changed. It was good to be around so many different kinds of people in such an inclusive environment."

“I’ve never done anything like this before. I feel like I’ve just woken up and discovered a purpose in life.”

“I’m so glad I had a chance to get to know you and your crew, and don’t you dare count me out of any actions you have planned.”

“I had such a great time at Wild Earth, I really appreciated all the time and energy you put into it. It was really well-organized and went smoothly.”

“I hope that one day I can come back to BC and work closely with you all.”

Sign up to volunteer, present a workshop or host a discussion! Download the poster and sign-up sheet here.

Wild Earth is funded in part by voluntary donations at the camp. Volunteers and presenters get in free. For more info, keep reading the posts below.

Only 89 days to go!