Funding our Upcoming Season of Expansion
Investing in the Institute of Natural Law's Experiential Learning and Storytelling Platform
Cycle of Renewal
"There is no death, only a change of worlds." — Chief Seattle
Seasons Greetings,
It’s Miriam and Jessica here, directors of the Institute of Natural Law. We’re writing to you from our little corner of Southern California—the valley of the moon, in Ojai and the coastal canyons of Malibu.
Before we wrap up the year, our intention is to share an update of what we’re closing out, so our community has the opportunity to invest in the exciting work unfolding in 2025. In this newsletter, we reflect on what we’ve built this year, preview what’s ahead, and invite you, dear reader, to become more deeply involved in the Natural Law movement.
Here in the Northern Hemisphere we’re gearing up for the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice on December 21st. Across the globe, in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be the longest day of light. On this perfectly round planet, suspended in the vastness of space, the balance of light and dark remains irrefutable.
This law of Nature serves as a reminder: when we design our lives in harmony with her wisdom, we invite more flow and abundance. With this framework in mind, we approach this period of contraction by returning what we've grown this year to the land, allowing it to rest in stillness during the darkest months and making space for what is yet to emerge.
With that, we invite you to be a part of our upcoming season of expansion. Here’s what you can expect to see from the Institute this spring:
The first platform where students, specialists, activists, and wisdom holders can connect, experiment, and organize for socio-political and ecological justice.
A de-centralized commons for learning—providing pathways and sign-posts between initiatives and organizations to catalyze and accelerate nature-based solutions.
Workshops, resources and content grounded in the decolonization of our minds, Indigenous knowledge and living systems.
Our mission is centered in this truth: we are Nature. In these unprecedented times, marked by the looming threat of a sixth extinction, stark inequality, and widespread conflict, it’s easy to believe we are living through an era of irrevocable loss. Yet, Nature reminds us that darkness always gives way to light.
Germination
“Seeds are time capsules of heritage, holding the stories, songs, and resilience of our people.” — Rowen White
This month we celebrated the Institute’s first anniversary and today, we’re reflecting on the seeds we’ve been tending.
A robust network of aligned partners specializing in earth law, biomimicry, bioregionalism, circular economies, Indigenous knowledge systems and more
21,000+ Instagram Community
3,000+ Substack Subscribers
Three pilot university charter programs
Twenty elders distilling living wisdom within a council at the Institute
An Experiential Learning and Storytelling platform launching in Spring 2025
The challenges we face collectively—economic, ecological, and societal—require not just new solutions but a profound shift in worldview. At the Institute, we believe Natural Law offers a unifying philosophy to guide and sustain this shift for a thriving future.
Today, we’re asking for your support. To launch this platform by the spring, we need to raise $100k before December 31st. With a donation to the Institute, your contribution becomes an investment in a collective and empowered future—one that disrupts harmful agendas and realigns humanity with stabilizing, earth-centered processes.
Make a tax-deductible donation here.
This is a practice in relational philanthropy rather than a transactional exchange. Together, we can steward this vision into its fullest expression:
Training 100+ students in regenerative development and conscious leadership
Supporting the work and vision of our Indigenous-led Assembly
Integrating Nature as a voice on our Board of Directors
Expanding and diversifying our team to support new programs
Creating actionable resources for global changemakers
"I’m happy there are communities out there looking for a healing path forward for society. The suffering is becoming overwhelming and as we all know it’s on a trajectory to only get worse. I want to stay informed by leading experts and look forward to the conversations ahead.” — Donor and Paid Subscriber
We have outlined a few simple ways that you can support our vision at the end of this newsletter!
Pollination
"The world is like a mirror, and it gives back to you whatever you give to it." — Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria)
Our theory of change is that we live on an abundant planet, everything that we need has been provided for us by Nature. The challenges we face arise from the way we have operated, particularly our perceived separation from the natural world. To rise into a new paradigm, humanity must reintegrate living systems and the traditional knowledge of Nature’s wisdom.
Over the past year, we’ve focused on making this wisdom accessible; now, the next phase is to turn it into actionable steps.
There is already a growing movement of individuals and organizations working to realign humanity with Nature. However, we identified a gap: the need for a space where these efforts can intersect and amplify one another.
Blooming
"A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms." — Zen Shin
Nature thrives on diversity and interdependence, yet systems change has traditionally happened outside of the existing "system." So we asked ourselves: how can we create a network that mirrors Nature's ways, operating in cycles and driving change at every stage? This year, we’ve been nurturing three distinct, intergenerational communities:
A network of changemakers: These are the specialists whom we feature on our Substack. Experts in their field with case studies that illustrate a proof of concept for the ways in which Nature’s intelligence can provide more equality and opportunity across the sectors of earth regeneration, social restoration, new economies and evolved governance.
Check out our library here.
We are Nature clubs at Universities: Our pilot youth program is set up to onboard and train students in regenerative living systems and conscious leadership. These Institute charters position students for mentorship with elders, apprenticeships with specialists and career opportunities in their applied field. This program ensures that we bring about a future that engages Natural Law in the decision making processes of the generations to come.
Assembly of Generational Wisdom: A council of Indigenous thought leaders and wisdom holders who advise our team and commune around topics, developing white papers and handbooks that are rooted in their original instructions.
Experiential Learning and Storytelling Platform: Our inclusive community platform will bring together these three communities at the intersection of Natural Law, offering an intergenerational and cross-industry approach. We will co-create actionable blueprints for designing communities, organizations, and governance systems that align with living, regenerative principles.
Emergence
“Movements are born of critical connections rather than critical mass.” — Grace Lee Boggs
With an open and collaborative approach, we are honoring the efforts of aligned organizations and creating space for co-facilitation and cross-pollination.
Our experiential learning platform will assist members to move beyond passive consumption into active engagement and powerful practice. Through hands-on coursework, applied training, and real-world action, learning becomes lived experience. Together, we add local momentum to the global movement toward regeneration.
Anyone can become a member of our platform and gain access to these resources and the larger community that we’re cultivating. Once you join, you’ll be invited to share your interests, potential contributions and location, so that our platform can connect you with the people and projects that align with your passions and bioregion!
Regeneration
“All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you. The only lasting truth is change.” — Octavia Butler
This is not growth for growth's sake. Rather, it’s a deepening of our capacity to support this growing movement with a platform that will expand its potential—creating a mycelial web to scale impact and action.
To realize this shared mission, we must raise $100k before the end of the year.
Your generous, tax deductible donation supports us in transforming this vision into a reality.
Ways to contribute and be a part of the movement:
Support our work through a paid subscription on our Substack
Make a one-time, or recurring donation
Sponsor a space within our community platform (ideal for aligned brands and organizations)
Become a philanthropic partner for the Institute and engage in a long-term commitment for growth
The Institute is a vessel for change. When you donate, you are seeding a new paradigm—one of regeneration, equity and abundance. Join the movement and donate today.
With joy and deep gratitude for your support,
Miriam + Jessica
We are Nature.
 | A guest post by
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 | A guest post by
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The Universal / Natural Laws are written into Life for us to witness through the Living System that we are all a part of. The work that is intended here - that you speak of - is essential for the expansion of all that we are - for we finally get to live as our wholeness - if we can all come together in this - and collaborate fully... what a wave of exquisite beauty we will build.