Julia Butterfly Hill returns to Damanhur and launches What's Your Tree, Italy
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 Milena, Alissa & Julia presenting with Esperide translating Julia Butterfly Hill, the acclaimed environmental activist known for living in an old-growth redwood tree in California for two years, came to Damanhur for her second visit on Sunday, September 6. The evening began with music and dance in Damjl, with Ara dancing sacred dance to Music of the Plants and Macaco’s etheric singing. Julia offered her appreciation for the beautiful and grounding opening to the event, then she surveyed the audience about why they came: to hear about the new What’s Your Tree initiative or to curiously see the woman who lived in a tree for two years. Both were motivating factors! She presented What’s Your Tree, along with Milena, the Italian coordinator for the program, and Alissa, the National Team Leader in the US. The What’s Your Tree program was officially launched in Italy with Julia’s visit. What’s this program about? Countless people have expressed their appreciation to Julia for the tremendous and selfless feat she accomplished with the tree-occupation, while doubting their own ability to do such a thing. She created What’s Your Tree along with collaborators to offer a structure for others to take action and powerfully realize their dreams. The goal of What’s Your Tree is to create an international network of small groups that heal the world, with the understanding that peace, justice, spiritual fulfillment and environmental renewal begins in our families and communities. The proposed What’s Your Tree program involves a seven-week journey for small groups, guiding them to define their deepest goals and complete concrete steps toward improving their communities and the entire world. Damanhur shall host a What’s Your Tree group, with potential groups also forming around Damanhur’s Italian centers. Julia expressed much appreciation for Damanhur, having been very inspired by the qualities and achievements of our community, and she holds the intention of continued collaboration and exchange. |
Julia and friends also visited the Damanhur School, listening and speaking with the children. They asked questions about her latest work, and she received an update about the various projects the children have done since her last visit. The students spoke about presenting a book they made with Greenpeace to protect sea animals, as well as their collaboration in Nicaragua to protect the rainforest and help build a school on the island of Mancarroncito. The children gifted Julia, Milena and Alissa with nature-inspired drawings and hand-crafted earrings, made by the Nicaraguan children, and the grateful guests offered monetary contributions to the international solidarity project.