James, Allison, and Sam spent some time earlier this week cleaning pollen off our solar panels. After cleaning, the panels produced 25% more power! Thanks, team!

“Through color, I have sought to concentrate on beauty and happiness, rather than on man’s inhumanity to man.” -artist Alma Thomas, who used dabs of bright paint to bring into being a world of playful joy. www.ecodisciple.com/blog/the-art...

Thank you so much to the wonderful crew of volunteers who joined us last weekend on Camano Island! Everyone worked hard to remove invasive plants, pick berries, spread wood chips, and start building a new trail by the pond!

Our Earthkeepers guest this week is well-known author, journalist and environmentalist, @billmckibben.bsky.social. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-18...

"Learning from the land, learning from the past, and learning from those who have long experience with a particular place or practice all require the one who is a newcomer to something to slow down, listen, and pay attention..." www.ecodisciple.com/blog/the-art...

For our local friends: mark your calendars! We're hosting a volunteer workday this Saturday, May 30, from 9am-1pm.⁠ ⁠ Join us on Camano Island to work on some projects around the Sine Center and in the Circlewood forest! All are welcome.⁠ ⁠ RSVP to: [email protected].

"I'm looking forward to learning more about forest restoration and management practices through my work on-site. Additionally, I'm looking forward to learning the ins and outs of how a non-profit like Circlewood operates! I heard about Circlewood through Au Sable's Winter Creation Care Symposium."

Sam spotted this Pacific Tree Frog at Circlewood last week! He was only able to catch a glimpse of this well-camouflaged friend because the frog jumped.

Allison, Ecology and Faith Intern, took this photo of a banana slug at Circlewood! She writes, "Observing slugs this week has reminded me of the "ordinary wonders" that exist in each place. All of God's creation shines when we enter nature with fresh eyes, seeking to see beauty in the mundane."

Meet Allison Gilmeister, this summer's Ecology and Faith Intern! Allison will be spending the summer supporting Circlewood's communications, ecological forestry, and providing program support and leadership. Welcome, Allison! We're excited to have you on board.

"...creation is not a set of disconnected entities but a web in which there are connecting lines between individual parts of creation. The health of one affects the health of others."

In April, we posted our 150th Earthkeepers episode! As we celebrate this milestone, we'll be resharing some of our most popular episodes. Thank you for being a part of our global community of earthkeepers! www.earthkeepers.online/episodes/epi...

Covenant pastors from the Greater Seattle area and BC gathered last week at Circlewood for their monthly connection meeting and to learn more about Circlewood. We had great conversation around the possibilities and obstacles to cultivating a more ecologically-aware faith in congregations!

We had a wonderful time at last Saturday's Circlewood board meeting! While we missed some folks who weren't able to attend in person, we enjoyed a rainy day on Camano Island, the cozy Sine Center, checking out the pond progress, and lots of great conversation about the future of Circlewood.

In April, we posted our 150th Earthkeepers episode! As we celebrate this milestone, we'll be resharing some of our most popular episodes. Thank you for being a part of our global community of earthkeepers! www.earthkeepers.online/episodes/epi...

Sam Turner, our Ecological Stewardship Intern, spotted this barred owl at Circlewood! "I was walking through the forest when I saw a shape swoop out of the corner of my eye. Stopping, I turned in time to spot a barred owl rising from the brush with a mouse in its claws."

Spotted in the Circlewood forest this week 🍄‍🟫

For our local friends: mark your calendars! We're hosting a volunteer workday on Saturday, May 30, from 10am-1pm. Join us on Camano Island to work on some projects in the Circlewood forest! All are welcome. If you're interested or have questions, let us know by emailing [email protected].

"We have become profoundly disconnected from the earth, from each other, and from ourselves." Rev. Sarah Robinson, one of The Ecological Disciple's regular contributors, is back this week with a great post about soil and community. www.ecodisciple.com/blog/healthy...

In this week's Earthkeepers episode, we explore the profound role of poetry and lament in addressing climate change, grief, and community resilience through the insights of authors Philip Mingay and Michael Ferber. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmXb...

"I am excited to get back into the hands-on work of restoration, [and] am looking forward to learning specifically about the Circlewood site and how it responds to forest management practices and techniques." We're so psyched to have Sam with us this summer as our Ecological Stewardship intern!

In April, we posted our 150th Earthkeepers episode! As we celebrate this milestone, we'll be resharing some of our most popular episodes. Thank you for being a part of our global community of earthkeepers!⁠ ⁠ www.earthkeepers.online/episodes/epi...

In April, we posted our 150th Earthkeepers episode! As we celebrate this, we'll be resharing some of our most popular episodes. Thank you for being a part of our global community! Ep 43: Becoming Rooted, with Randy Woodley, is our 2nd most downloaded. www.earthkeepers.online/episodes/epi...

Meet Sam Turner, this summer's Ecological Stewardship Intern! Sam will be living in the Circlewood forest on Camano Island, helping us with site projects, expanding our understanding of the forest, and supporting ecological restoration work. Welcome, Sam! We're excited to have you on board.

"I have a deep-seated distrust of the shortcut. But our time and culture are infatuated with it." Louise writes about shortcuts, the cost of which might be larger than you think. Find the full post here.

Last week, we posted our 150th Earthkeepers episode! As we celebrate this milestone, we'll be resharing some of our most popular episodes. Thank you for being a part of our global community of earthkeepers! www.earthkeepers.online/episodes/epi...

A few more photos of last month's wonderful volunteers! They worked hard on the pond, the trails, the landscaping, and more. If you missed this month's volunteer workday, we'll be hosting another one on May 30 - email [email protected] to let us know if you'll be joining us!

We're sharing our top five most read Ecological Disciple posts, since we celebrated our five year anniversary on Earth Day. Thank you for being part of our global community!⁠ ⁠ www.ecodisciple.com/blog/beyond-...

We're sharing our top 5 most read Eco Disciple posts, since we celebrated our five year anniversary on Earth Day. "The Way Forward: Exodus 15:22-27—Healing Waters" is our fourth most read piece. James' reflection on water and healing is deeply thought-provoking.

We're sharing our top five most read Ecological Disciple posts, since we celebrated our five year anniversary on Earth Day. Thank you for being part of our global community! www.ecodisciple.com/blog/the-art...

A couple of weeks ago, Louise invited our Eco Disciple readers to share a poem that give them perspective in times when hope is elusive. Below are the poems we received, along with each sender's explanation of the significance the poem holds for them. www.ecodisciple.com/blog/poems-o...

Thank you so much to the wonderful crew of volunteers who joined us last weekend on Camano Island! Everyone worked hard to clean up the Sine Center, remove invasive plants, do some trail maintenance, spread wood chips, and get the pond ready for planting!

💚 150 episodes of Earthkeepers!! 🩵 Thank you for 150 episodes worth of love and support for the podcast! www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIZj...

James & Ben enjoyed visiting @eloheh.bsky.social and co-founders Randy and Edith Woodley last week in Oregon! Thanks for a great visit and all the amazing work you do!⁠ ⁠ Pictured: James Amadon (Circlewood), Randy Woodley (co-founder of Eloheh), and Ben Lowe (Executive Director of @arocha.us)

Last week, we celebrated the fifth anniversary of our online journal, The Ecological Disciple. This week, we'll release the 150th episode of Earthkeepers podcast! As we celebrate these milestones, we'd love to hear from you!

"Music can find a way to the human heart in a way that is not always possible with facts alone." In this new post on The Eco Disciple, regular contributor Jeff Reed writes about the song "Fever," by Glen Phillips. Find the lyrics, song, & Jeff's reflection here.

"Exodus 3-4: Call and Response" is our second most read Eco Disciple piece. In the series, James highlights aspects of Exodus that are not typically noticed as well as themes of ecological discipleship. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment on the post.

"The Art of Creation: Leaf on Leaf, Stone on Stone," is our most read Eco Disciple piece—for good reason! The art of British artist Andy Goldsworthy is eye-catching, ephemeral, and inspirational. Let us know what you think by leaving a comment on the post!

Happy Earth Day! Five years ago, we launched The Ecological Disciple! Check out our very first published pieces here, and over the next week, we'll be sharing links to our top five most read posts. Thank you for being part of our global community! www.ecodisciple.com/blog/anniver...

Final Call! Is there a particular poem, or line from a poem, that helps you to keep a measure of hope in your perspective when you feel the brokenness of the world acutely? If so, we would love for you to share it with us. www.ecodisciple.com/blog/putting...

What does a 6400 square-foot parcel of forest sound like when turned into music? James Bulley & Daniel Jones, two UK artists & musicians, teamed up together with sponsors, scientists, & others, to find out. Hear the music and learn more about their process: www.ecodisciple.com/blog/putting...

In this week's new #Earthkeepers episode, Drew, an army chaplain with nearly 19 years of service, shares his unique perspective on the intersection of faith, culture, nature, and military service. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCUc...

As part of our educational programming, we continue to develop an internship program. We're excited to welcome two interns this summer: Allison Gilmeister, our Ecology and Faith Intern, & Sam Turner, our Ecological Stewardship Intern.⁠ ⁠ We look forward to introducing them to you after they arrive!

What can be done today to live more sustainably for tomorrow? It's instructive to see what other (non-USA) countries are doing: check out this thread for some great examples!

A whole sunny week on Camano Island has the Circlewood team starting to dream about the berry good days ahead this summer 😍 If you'd like to come out to the land and help us prep for summer, we're hosting a volunteer workday on April 25 from 9am-12pm. Email [email protected] to RSVP!

Is a zero waste society possible? Becoming a zero waste society would require some big changes—both in perspective and practice. This week, The Eco Disciple has a post from Dr. Joe Sheldon, a regular contributor and a good friend! www.ecodisciple.com/blog/is-a-ze...

Amy Keiper-Gowan, one of our Journey of Ecological Discipleship for Leaders cohort alum, recently founded Otters Den Nature School! Applications are open and scholarships available: www.ottersden.org

Remember the moments that have been meaningful to you. What gifts have you received from this mutilated world? What can you do to be part of its healing? www.ecodisciple.com/blog/light-t...

Mike and Kathy Holmgren, Circlewood Stand members, were honored last month with the Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award from the Seattle Sports Commission for their philanthropic work with Medical Teams International and Circlewood! www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSIX...

For our local friends: mark your calendars! We're hosting a volunteer workday on Saturday, April 25, from 9am-12pm. Join us on Camano Island to work on some springtime projects around the Sine Center and in the Circlewood forest! All are welcome. RSVP to: [email protected].