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.

Panel Themes

• The Power of Water in Religious Networks and Creation
• Water Spirituality and Ethics for Environmental Change
• Storying People and Oceans in the Global South
• Rivers and the Rights of Nature in the Southeast
• Water Journeys with Integrative Studies: CIIS Student and Alumni Perspectives

Keynote Speaker

Swati Thiyagarajan, Sea Change Project

Highlighted Speakers

Dr. Willis Jenkins (University of Virginia), Reverend Dr. Brian Kolia (Malua Theological College), Rabbi Dr. Ariel Mayse (Stanford University), Dr. Stephen Lansing (University of Arizona), Dr. Christiana Zenner (Fordham University), Dr. Elizabeth McAnally (Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology), Dr. Calynn Dowler (Vanderbilt University), Dr. Elizabeth Allison (California Institute of Integral Studies), Dr. Aaniyah Martin (The Beach Co-op), Dr. Joanne Peers (Centre for Creative Education), Dr. Meghan Judge (University of the Witwatersrand), Dr. Crystal Cavalier (7 Directions of Service), Mr. Thomas Linzey (Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights), Chief Diane Richardson (Rappahannock Tribe), Ms. Talia Landry (Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe), Dr. Michael Lynn Wellman (California Institute of Integral Studies Alumnus), Michelle Boyle PhDc (California Institute of Integral Studies)

Summit Program

Details about the panels will be posted by the end of March. Sessions are according to Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).

• Monday, April 21
  Online Panel: 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-3:00pm
• Tuesday, April 22
  Keynote Session: 9:00am
  Online Panel: 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-3:00pm
• Wednesday, April 23
  Online Panel: 10:00am-12:00pm
  In-Person Watershed Witness Tour: 1:00pm-4:30pm (details below)

Webinars will be hosted on Zoom. Links will be emailed to registered guests before the event. Recordings of the Summit's panels and the in-person tour will be made available to registered participants on the CIIS Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion Program YouTube page following the event.

Watershed Witness Tour

San Francisco's Still Trickling Histories: Replenish Our Responses & Towards Torrential Futures

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Beneath San Francisco’s streets, fresh waters still flow—revealing hidden histories, ongoing struggles for justice, and opportunities for ecological renewal. Join us for an immersive tour exploring these overlooked waterways and their cultural significance.

Led by Joshua Halpern, an experienced watershed guide and Metamorphosis Ecologist, this journey will take participants through key locations where urban and natural ecosystems intersect.

More information: watershedwitness.com | ecocourageous.com

Important Information:

• Limited to 20 participants for an intimate experience.
• Car caravan format (rideshare encouraged).
• Meeting Point: Baker Beach parking lot, Gibson Road entrance.
• This tour is a free "Add-On" to your ticket purchase.
  Participants who add the Watershed Witness Tour to their ticket purchase will receive pre-event questions and suggestions, as well as required event forms that must be signed and returned to esr@ciis.edu before the event.

Tickets

Ticket cost is on a scale: $10, $15, $25, or $50. All ticket tiers grant access to the entire event. Please contact us if you would like to attend and cannot pay. Proceeds support the presenters and the Religion and Ecology Summit. The Community Supporter level will support future ESR initiatives. Thank you for being a part of this meaningful event!

Contact Us

For questions, please reach out to ESR Program Coordinator, Charlie Forbes at cforbes1@ciis.edu.

Visit our Event Community to listen to recordings of previous SummitsLearn more about the Ecology, Spirituality, and Religion Programs