Moth Count - Organized by Vermont Center for Eco-Studies and Middlebury College. This is a scientific research event for college students, being held at SpIN as part of National Moth Week.

On the summer solstice, Friday, June 20th, the board of directors at Spirit In Nature invites you to pause and welcome the change in season. Follow the lantern-lit path to the Sacred Circle, joining friends and neighbors in the warmth of community around a fire. Pour a cup of tea and hold space for contemplation. Let’s share poetry, words of encouragement, stories, song. Write down any hopes you may have for the future, or anything you’d like to release, and give them to the fire.

There will be a reading of the picture book The Raft by Jim LaMarche, a beautiful meditation on one boy’s growing relationship with the natural world around him. And as the sun sets, we will set up a blacklight observation area further down the path to survey the diversity of amazing insects that share this land with us.

Young and old, of any faith or none at all, are most welcome! Consider bringing a flashlight, and perhaps a poem or a thought to share. Also, if you’d like to visit the insect observation area, we ask that you don’t wear bug spray.

We will start gathering at 7:30 pm, and as the sun sets around 8:30 pm we’ll begin monitoring insect activity. We’ll close our time with the singing bowl around the fire at 9:30 pm, but please feel free to stay with the insects as long as you like.

SpIN’s 2025 Eco-Spirit Award was presented to Jim Andrews, herpetologist from Salisbury. The Annual Meeting also discussed infrastructure improvements - paths, bridges, benches - which are taking place thanks to the strong response to last year’s fundraising appeal.

Sit around a fire in the Sacred Circle with Lorraine Bessner, Professor of Philosophy at Middlebury College, to think about how noticing things with curiosity and creativity can add psychological richness to your life. This event is part of Vermont Public Philosophy Week. (note: originally planned for Sun Mar 30th; re-scheduled to Sat. April 5th because of the ice)

Celebrate the Spring Equinox and affirm the renewal of life and hope. Follow the lantern-lit path to the Sacred Circle. Activities include sharing hot tea around the fire, seed-planting, offerings of poetry and song, meditation, and read-aloud story “Gluskonba and the Maple Syrup” by Joseph Bruchac. This event will close with the Singing Bowl. All ages are welcome.

“Welcoming the Light” - Follow the candle-lit path to the campfire at the Sacred Circle at SpIN; bring a flashlight, poem, thought or story to share; enjoy companionship of neighbors and friends as we honor the Winter Solstice. Hot tea and snacks provided. All ages welcome. Watch a 7-minute video of the event: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-6nMYjhn-xMOAfNaLkTVfvtEsHOqyuOh/view?usp=gmail

Scott’s family and friends shared their memories and bid Scott a fond farewell, at a Memorial Ceremony at the Sacred Circle.

This event was held at the Ripton Community Center, Route 125, Ripton Vermont. Eco-Spirit Awards for 2024 were presented to Bethany Barry, Brett Gillman and Fran Putnam for their work on Pollinator Pathway of Addison County. The transcript and photos from the Symposium "From Hope to Happening” are available; click here: EcoSpiritSymposium2024

Video of the entire SpIN Annual Meeting 2024 -Enter this passcode after clicking on the Zoom link: m#6WS@5Q

Ripton Community House on Route 125; Eco-Spirit Award presented to Carolyn Hentz Spooner.

Before the event, Craig Zondag, SpIN Path Coordinator, led a guided snowshoe walk at SpIN.

2022 Eco-Spirit Award presented to Ross Conrad of Middlebury

The Friends of SpIN Drum Circle traveled from Massachusetts to lead a joyful gathering. In addition to bringing extra drums for the public to use, they also demonstrated didgeridoo playing.

Work clearing paths - picking up fallen branches, pruning, itemizing signs in need of replacement, etc. Newcomers welcome. Meet up at parking lot, 2:00 pm.

Annual Meeting - Online with Zoom

Feature presentation: “The People, Places and Times of Spirit in Nature Pathways, 2000-2013”, by Daniel Shea, Massachusetts.

Poetry, music and time for reflection, starting at the Sacred Circle.

Ilsley Public Library Meeting Space, Middlebury