7th Annual Religion and Ecology Summit: Sacred Waters of the World

A three-day online conference hosted by the Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion Program between April 21-23rd 2025.

Sacred Waters of the World: Pathways to Ecological Reverence, Renewal, and Responsibility on a Changing Planet

The 7th Annual Religion and Ecology Summit, titled Sacred Waters of the World: Pathways to Ecological Reverence, Renewal, and Responsibility, invites participants to explore the theme of elemental consciousness with a focus on water—a vital element at the heart of life itself. Water sustains ecosystems, shapes cultures, and informs spiritual practices worldwide. Amid escalating global water crises—ranging from pollution and scarcity to climate-driven challenges—this Summit seeks to address how ecological degradation reflects a deeper crisis of consciousness. By fostering an awareness rooted in reverence, renewal, and responsibility, participants will consider how water’s sacred nature can inspire profound respect for the natural world and safeguard the well-being of both human and more-than-human life.

Through the interconnected themes of reverence, renewal, and responsibility, the Summit will explore water’s multifaceted significance. Reverence highlights water as a bridge between the ordinary and transcendent, central to rituals, mythology, cultural identity, and survival. Renewal emphasizes the capacity for ecological and spiritual regeneration, spotlighting conservation efforts and rights-of-nature initiatives that restore balance and purpose. Responsibility underscores the moral duty to protect water resources, advance water justice, and ensure equitable access for all beings. Together, these themes offer a transformative framework for understanding water’s essential role in fostering a sustainable and sacred relationship with the Earth.

Summit Program

The 2025 Summit will feature:

• Academic Panels and Discussions
  Daily sessions from 10am-12pm PDT and 1pm-3pm PDT
• Concluding Event on April 23rd
  Joshua Halpern (Class of 2013, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness (PCC)) will lead an in-person Watershed Witness tour in the Bay Area, with plans for an online component to ensure broader participation.

Check back mid-February for the detailed schedule.

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Contact Us

For support or questions, please reach out to Charlie Forbes, M.A., Program Coordinator, at cforbes1@ciis.edu or email esr@ciis.edu for general inquiries.