By: Francesca Mundrick, Founder & Executive Director
The goal of Rewild NJ has always been to build culture and community around shared ideas and practices that help us to reclaim sovereignty. The first Rewild NJ Gathering was a celebration of this philosophy.
Our Gathering contributes to the work of millions of people around the world representing wilding and localist counterculture. We are fighting for an alternate future- a future based on the past where nature was more diverse and balanced, human beings practiced the deep ancestral knowledge and practical skills, and thriving localism defined society.
Over a two-day period, Rewild NJ Community Members joined together at Cohanzick Nature Reserve to connect and practice rewilding. Meals, bonfires, camping, and skilling circles made up the weekend. A trading post, seed bank, foraging share, morning and night hikes, storytelling, barefooting around, and primitive art mural were added elements for Gathering comers.
A keynote discussion by Dr. John Hasse, Professor of Geography at Rowan University, began our programing. Dr. Hasse discussed universal connections, deep time, human sentience, and the deeply spiritually considerations of the development of his personally built homestead in Mullica Hill, NJ.
Skilling Circles covered topics in Conservation, Human, and Community Rewilding as the focal point of the weekend including Arthur Veilleux discussing soil with “The Life Beneath Our Feet”, Sarah Hunt discussing resilience with “Planning Community & Ecosystem Restoration”, Teresa Brown discussing edible and medicinal plants with “Foraging Basics”, and Conrad Simas discussing an introduction to primitive fire starting with “Fire by Friction”. The only way for us to truly rewild is to practice. These skills take time- making them challenging and meaningful.
Our Skilling Circle programming was intentional. Skilling Circles are a natural way for people to learn. Verses lecture style talks, Skilling Circles allow for people to actively contribute to the educational experience and assist each other with instruction and practice.
The location of our first Gathering was significant. The Cohanzick Nature Reserve is a 63-acre property that have been recently reclaimed by the Nanticoke Lenape people. Cohanzick Nature Reserve, Native American Advancement Corporation, and Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project operate the Reserve and its facilities including a Community Center, Pavilions, and Trails.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge is applied to the stewardship on site- not only for natural resources but for cultural resources too. The ancestral ties at the Reserve are alive and well and our ability to witness the power of deep ecology is notable. The lands of Cohanzick host acres of old growth as the area has been preserved from harsh land use throughout the Colonial Era, Industrial Revolution, and the Modern Era.
Ty Dancing Wolf Ellis, Board President of Rewild NJ and Executive Director of Lenapehoking Reestablishment Project, provided us with a sage ceremony and song that seemed to weave the weekend together.
When I laid down my head to sleep camping overnight at the Reserve, I felt connected to the soul of the land and enriched by the knowledge and enthusiasm of our Community Members. As we fight to reclaim sovereignty in the modern world, we must recognize that making the time simply to connect with other people in a meaningful way is the base of that journey.
Leading Rewild NJ, I do get caught up in planning, goals, and organizational needs- all to make sure that we can “do the work” of rewilding. In reality, making space for our community to grow and for rewilding culture to advance is the only work that matters- our Gathering reminded me of that fact. I am proud of what we accomplished and can only hope for more to come!
To learn more about Fran, visit About the Founder.
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Rewild New Jersey Community Cooperative (RNJCC) is currently pending nonprofit organization status. Contributions are not tax deductible.
