2023 Nature of Place Symposium, "Faith and the Environment"

Announced by the University of Pittsburgh

In order to connect people to nature, we need to know where they are coming from — and this means understanding the spiritual ideas and beliefs that shape the way they relate to the natural world. This year’s Nature of Place Symposium invites us all to explore the spectrum of beliefs about nature held by our neighbors and community members so we can understand one another and discover the hidden points where our views intersect. By examining the intertwined histories of belief, nature and humanity, we seek to learn from the past and present to cultivate climate action for the future.

The first day of the symposium will be virtual and feature academic insights on the relationship between spiritual beliefs and environmental action, and the second day can be attended either in-person or virtually and will feature a variety of practicing perspectives on building creative bridges towards climate action.

In order to connect people to nature, we need to know where they are coming from — and this means understanding the spiritual ideas and beliefs that shape the way they relate to the natural world. This year’s Nature of Place Symposium invites us all to explore the spectrum of beliefs about nature held by our neighbors and community members so we can understand one another and discover the hidden points where our views intersect. By examining the intertwined histories of belief, nature and humanity, we seek to learn from the past and present to cultivate climate action for the future.

The first day of the symposium will be virtual and feature academic insights on the relationship between spiritual beliefs and environmental action, and the second day can be attended either in-person or virtually and will feature a variety of practicing perspectives on building creative bridges towards climate action.

Symposium Sessions
Day 1 (Virtual):
How do belief systems influence the will for environmental action, or are they related at all? Explore this relationship from an academic and organizational perspective as a foundation for conversation.
Day 2 (In-Person OR Virtual):
What are the different belief systems, past and present, of our region, and what common ground can find for climate action? Hear from local faith leaders and practitioners to explore what we can draw from these different beliefs to have authentic conversations with our neighbors about our place and responsibility as humans and fellows residents of Earth.
This year's symposium will feature presentations from:
• Keynote Speaker Dr. Evan Berry | Associate Professor of Environmental Humanities in the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at Arizona State University
• Keynote Speaker Dr. Laurel Kearns | Professor of Sociology and Religion and Environmental Studies at Drew Theological School
• Chief Adam Waterbear DePaul | Chief, Tribal Storykeeper and Director of Education of the Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania
• Rev. Dr. Bhante Permaratana | Chief Monk, Pittsburgh Buddhist Center and Cleveland Buddhist Vihara
• Dr. R. Khari Brown | Sociology Professor at Wayne State University
• Imam Chris Caras | Islamic Center of Pittsburgh
• Dr. Paula Kane | John and Lucine O'Brien Marous Chair of Contemporary Catholic Studies and Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pittsburgh
• Rabbi Andy Shugerman and Rabbi Mark Goodman | Congregation Beth Shalom
• Rev. John Creasy | Executive Director of Garfield Community Farm and founding pastor of The Open Door Church
• Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker | First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
• Dr. Kawika Winter | Bioculutral Ecologist at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology; University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
• Robin Lewis | Director of Climate Equity at Interfaith Power and Light DMV
We look forward to having you with us for this important conversation. Learn how you can join us today!