October 1-4, 2026 | Western Oregon University | Monmouth, Oregon
The Rainforest Information Centre and the School for
The Great Turning present:
Four-Day Deep Ecology
Weekend Retreat
with John Seed (remotely from Australia), Erika Aligno, & Lydia Violet
"It is not enough to have ecological ideas, we have to have an ecological identity, an ecological self."
— Arne Naess, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy
Many people intellectually realize that we are inseparable from Nature and that the sense of separation that we feel is socially conditioned and illusory.
How can we Nourish our Ecological Identity?
In answer to such questions, Joanna Macy and John Seed developed a series of experiential deep ecology teachings, practices, and rituals known as the "Work That Reconnects/Deep Ecology Work," including the Council of All Beings," and in 1986, with Arne Naess and Pat Flemming, they wrote a book called Thinking Like A Mountain - Towards a Council of All Beings (which has been translated into 12 languages). Along with others, they have been facilitating these workshops around the world since.
Enter the Remarkable John Seed:
A note from Lydia: John Seed was a long-time friend and co-collaborator / developer with Joanna Macy of The Work That Reconnects (known as Deep Ecology in Australia). Now in his 80s, we’re honored that he’s anchoring us for this in-person workshop all the way from his home in Australia, via the magic of zoom. John will zoom in for a portion of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
John seed in his own words:
I am no longer flying to workshops. “In the flesh” facilitation will be by trusted colleagues with whom I have cofacilitated for years, I zoom in. This will be the 8th such workshop and reviews from the previous 7 indicate that absolutely nothing is lost except the carbon footprint 😊.
I have worked for worldwide rainforests since 1979. Although many of our efforts succeeded, for every forest saved, 100 have disappeared. Clearly, you can’t save the planet one forest at a time. It's one green Earth or a bowl of dust. Without a profound change of consciousness, we can kiss the forests goodbye, the ones we’ve "saved" alongside the rest.
Deep ecology is key to the change we need. To deep ecology, underlying all the symptoms of the environmental crisis lies a psychological or spiritual root – the illusion of separation from the rest of the natural world, which stems from anthropocentrism or human-centeredness.
While we maintain a self-image created in the matrix of anthropocentric culture, a shrunken and illusory sense of self that doesn't include the air and water and soil, we will experience nature as "outside" our self and fail to recognize that nature "out there" and nature "in here" are one and the same.
Over Four Days in Oregon…
We'll retrace the evolutionary journey written into every one of our cells.
At the heart of the weekend is the Council of All Beings itself. Each of us will find an ally in the natural world, make a mask to represent them, and let that animal, plant, or landscape speak through us. The view of the world that emerges is often startlingly different from our own, and it tends to bring with it clear, creative direction for how we act when we go home.
We'll also sit with an essential practice: honoring our pain for the world. Grieving the species lost, the landscapes that are gone. Thich Nhat Hanh once said that healing the Earth starts with hearing, inside ourselves, the sounds of the Earth crying. This weekend makes room for exactly that, not as despair, but as the doorway back into effective, rooted action.
Schedule
Thursday evening: 4 - 8 p.m. in Werner University Center Willamette Room.
Friday all day: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Gentle House.
Saturday all day: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. in Werner University Center.
Sunday morning: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in Werner University Center.
By the end, the goal isn't a new idea about nature. It's an experience of your own inter-being with it.
In-Person Facilitators
Lydia and Erika will serve as the retreat's in-person facilitators, weaving together the practices, group process, and shared experience throughout the weekend.
Lydia Violet
A longtime student and colleague of Joanna Macy, Lydia spent more than seventeen years studying and teaching the Work That Reconnects, bringing it to thousands of participants through retreats, trainings, universities, climate organizations, and community gatherings around the world. As founder of School for The Great Turning, she is known for creating spaces where ecological grief, beauty, music, and deep inquiry become sources of resilience, belonging, and meaningful action.
Erika Aligno
Is a veteran of community legal centres, where she advocated for social justice, supporting people navigating systems not built for them. Over time, she has expanded her energy toward environmental justice. Her work in the environment sector and her studies in Environmental Management at UNSW led her to Deep Ecology, and in 2023 she began working closely with John Seed, the ‘Australian Father’ of Deep Ecology. They are both honored to help steward this gathering alongside John Seed, whose work has profoundly shaped their own paths.
Emily Plec - Assistant Facilitator
Is a Professor of Communication at Western Oregon University and a Conversation Facilitator with Oregon Humanities. Editor of Perspectives on Human-Animal Communication: Internatural Communication (Routledge, 2013), she advocates for a Communication discipline that considers meaningful interaction to be a more-than-human enterprise. Re-integrating her background in Religious and Peace Studies, including prior retreat experiences at New Mexico's Bodhi Manda Zen Center and Lama Foundation, Emily is honored to join in the work that reconnects with Erika, Lydia and John.
Our Beautiful Venue
We'll be hosted by the Werner University Center and Historic Gentle House on the campus of Western Oregon University, Monmouth, Oregon.
Housing: Where You Can Stay
Participants book their own accommodations. We've secured group discount rates at two nearby hotels:
• The College Inn — use the discount code you'll receive at registration for $320/night (king) or $335/night (double queen), based on a three-night stay.
• The Independence Hotel — details to follow.
Register Now for October 1st-4th
Final Deadline to Register: Sept 20th, or when maxed out at 35 registrants.
Your registration covers venue and food costs and pays every facilitator, organizer, and tech support person a fair, livable wage.
Full Payment
$700
Standard Registration
2 Payments
$352 x 2
Payment every 2 weeks
3 Payments
$235 x 3
Payment every 2 weeks
Partial scholarship application available
Financial constraints shouldn't be what keeps you from this circle.
FAQ
Do I need any prior experience with deep ecology or ritual work?
No. This retreat is designed for newcomers and long-time practitioners alike. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to participate.
What actually happens during the Council of All Beings?
Each participant chooses an animal, plant, or landscape ally, makes a simple mask to represent them, and speaks from that being's perspective during a group council. No performance experience or artistic skill is required. Materials and guidance are provided.
Is this retreat physically demanding?
We will be hosted on a college campus with walking paths between buildings. We are currently waiting to hear back about ADA access info, it's on it's way!
What's included in the $700 registration fee?
Your registration covers the venue, facilitator fees, and 2 meals per day.. Accommodation is booked separately (see Housing section above).
What if I can't afford the full registration fee?
We don't want cost to be a barrier. A partial scholarship application is available.
Where do I stay?
Participants book their own accommodations. We've secured group rates at The College Inn and The Independence Hotel (see Housing section above for details).
How do I get to Monmouth, Oregon?What should I bring?
Airports: Salem & Eugene (small airports)); PDX (main airport)
Airport Transfer: PDX to Salem on Groome Transportation ($50-60 each way). Salem - Monmouth transportation available through local host (Emily).
Comfortable clothing, weather-appropriate outerwear, a journal, water bottle, musical instruments, head lamp, and any personal items that helps you feel comfortable and at home.
Is this retreat suitable if I'm grieving or processing difficult emotions?
Yes. Part of the weekend is designed around Joanna Macy's "Work That Reconnects," which includes space for grief and pain for the world. Facilitators are experienced in holding this work with care.
Is this retreat suitable if I'm grieving or processing difficult emotions?
Yes. Part of the weekend is designed around Joanna Macy's "Work That Reconnects," which includes space for grief and pain for the world. Facilitators are experienced in holding this work with care.
What's the cancellation/refund policy?
Full refund for up to 30 days before our start date, and 50% refund within the 30 day window.
Will John Seed only be joining by video?
Yes. John Seed joins remotely via Zoom, as noted above, while in-person facilitators lead the room. Past workshops using this format have had strong feedback.
Who do I contact with more questions?
Contact us here