Conference History

EarthSpirit Rising Conferences on Ecology and Spirituality have been drawing people
together since 1998 to explore the cultural and spiritual transformation essential for
humans to live sustainably within the Earth community.

Each conference draws on the wisdom Earth expresses through the sciences and through
modern and ancient spiritual traditions. Themes for the first six conferences, held in
Cincinnati, Ohio, Louisville and Midway, Kentucky, and Black Mountain, North Carolina,
have included Return to Earth Wisdom, Earth as Teacher, the Great Work, Earth Elders,
Healing and Celebrating Planet Earth, and Community.

Each conference brings together some of the cutting-edge thinkers of our time,
regionally based developers of sustainability practices, and participants from across the
country to learn from each other, inspire one another, and create networks for support
and action. Internationally known speakers have joined local experts to provide exciting
opportunities for participants to learn and collaborate on a wide variety of topics. The
ESR conferences began through the inspiration and dedication of Imago, a Cincinnati
grassroots organization committed to deepening our connection to Earth. Imago has
partnered with Cultivating Connections of Louisville on four conferences. With a total
attendance of over 3000 participants, these events have provided significant windows of
opportunity for people who are eager to be in the forefront of the movement to heal
Earth and craft a new model of being human on our fragile, beautiful planet home.

About Imago

Imago was founded in 1978 by Jim and Eileen Schenk. This quintessential grassroots
organization was started as a dream and based out of their home. Their dream for Imago
was that it would be an organization that would address the environmental crisis in new
and unique ways. Imago was built on the understanding that we are all intimately
connected and dependent on nature: physically, mentally, emotionally and
spiritually. Yet we continue to harm the planet that sustains and enriches us. The dream
of Imago is to help people see and understand that by retying the gossamer strand that
binds us to everything else, we will not only be healing the planet, but also ourselves.

Using this philosophy Imago has created a blend of programs for people of all ages and
walks of life. Now no longer just a dream, Imago is healing the planet, and our
accomplishments have made Imago a leader in the environmental community both
regionally and nationally.

Imago’s mission is to foster a deeper harmony with Earth by providing educational
experiences, creating opportunities for discussion and community building, and conserving
natural areas.

The Brueggeman Center For Dialogue

The Edward B. Brueggeman center for dialogue at Xavier University is dedicated to
providing space and opportunity for dialogue about the critical issues of our age. It is
founded upon the belief that the paths that lead to solutions to our most serious
problems will emerge out of dialogue.

Walking Our Talk

At every step of the way, from planning to presenting, the team at Imago has made the
EarthSpirit Rising conference an example of sustainability. Our commitment can be seen
in a myriad of ways, from the materials that we have chosen to print on, to the ingredients
in the conference meals, among many, many others. The intent of the
conference is that it is an inspiration for ecological change, from inception to
completion, from the first conference email we send to you - to your carpool ride back
home at the end of the conference.