The calendar shows events we are part of and events we are sponsoring. Do you have an event we should know about? Send us a message.
Overwhelmed by Climate Change and the Other Crises of Our Time?
You’re Not Alone.
In the heart of summer, when the earth is at its fullest, we come together to celebrate the strength we’ve cultivated and the resilience that grows from our shared efforts. July is a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and the impact we’ve made, while continuing to nourish our planet and ourselves.
Together, we empower each other to stay connected, rooted, and focused on building a more vibrant, equitable future. This Resilient Activist Conversation is an opportunity to recharge, renew, and continue our collective mission to nurture both our planet and our communities.
Resilient Activist Conversations offer a valuable opportunity to connect with a community that gets you, fill your cup, and gain resilience insights. Our community is full of folks who are experiencing many of the emotions that climate change has brought out in your heart and mind.
Running for about 90 minutes, our Resilient Activist Conversations include an introspective meditation, invitation to the topic of the evening (i.e., burnout, isolation, nature connection, etc.), breakout room conversations, and an ending group discussion.
There is nothing for you to commit to except to gather your favorite beverage, a journal, find a comfortable spot with your Zoom window open, and just be you.
Each session includes facilitators from The Resilient Activist as well as a Climate-Aware Therapist to guide the conversations in ways that are supportive and nurturing.
To sustain and expand our free Resilient Activist Conversations, we rely on the generosity of supporters like you. If you’re in a position to give, please consider donating to The Resilient Activist and help us cultivate a more resilient future.
Register here for our July Resilient Activist Conversation.
Here are some musings from past participants:
“Each time I attend a [Resilient Activist Conversation], I feel more connected to others, knowing that our communal love for Mother Earth is so strong and enduring. I come away more grounded, knowing that in the midst of so much chaos, there is compassion, care, and action for all living creatures.”
“Community support is vital for dealing with anxiety around environmental issues. I’m so happy TRA has facilitated discussions like tonight’s [Resilient Activist Conversation] and look forward to future conversations.”
“I faced my problem, now I can work on it. This is huge.”
“If you are looking for like minded people who are working in a positive way toward goals for climate advocacy, this is your group!”
The Resilient Activist: “The Dance of Opposites: Resilience in a Polarized World”
2025 Summer Programming at the African American Heritage House
The Resilient Activist is honored to offer two deeply transformative workshops as part of the 2025 summer programming at the African American Heritage House (AAHH) during Chautauqua’s Assembly Season. These sessions, led by Sami Aaron, founder of The Resilient Activist, will provide a space for personal reflection, connection, and growth in the face of today’s divisive challenges.
Session 1: Explore how to cultivate harmony and compassion in a polarized world. Sami will share her personal journey, including her experiences of grief and joy after the loss of her son, and how these lessons are interconnected with the larger issues of climate change and social injustice. Participants will learn how The Resilient Activist addresses the complexities of climate anxiety, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the political divide. This session will also introduce participants to key resilience tools used in The Resilient Activist community.
Session 2: This two-hour interactive workshop will deepen participants’ engagement with resilience practices. Through meditation, journaling, and nature-based exercises, attendees will foster a stronger connection to themselves, their communities, and the natural world. The goal is to help participants cultivate compassion and kindness within, transforming divisiveness into paths of healing and connection.
These sessions are designed to empower individuals to navigate the challenges of our time with resilience and compassion. Attendees will leave with practical tools to continue fostering inner strength and contributing to positive change within their communities.
About The Resilient Activist ✨
The Resilient Activist is built on the belief that resilient activists are key to a sustainable world. We support those working in environmental justice by offering tools to address eco-anxiety, burnout, and emotional exhaustion through mindfulness, community-building, and nature-based practices.
Nature Connection Event – Hug a Tree at Linda Hall Library
Date: Saturday, August 9th, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Location: Linda Hall Library, 5109 Cherry St, KCMO 64110 (Meet at the front entrance)
Hosted by: The Resilient Activist
Event Overview:
Join us for a peaceful morning immersed in nature at the Linda Hall Library on the UMKC campus. This stunning urban arboretum is home to fourteen of Greater Kansas City’s Champion trees, and we’ll take a leisurely walk among the 300 trees that adorn the grounds—perhaps even giving a few a hug along the way! 🌳
Following our tree-filled adventure, you’re welcome to explore the Linda Hall Library, which is open from 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturdays. Current exhibits include “Life Beyond Earth?” and “Follow the Recipe.”
What to Bring:
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Comfortable walking shoes
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A sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world
Optional Reading to Pair with the Event:
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The Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard
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Overstory by Richard Powers
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The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
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The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
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When I Am Among the Trees by Mary Oliver
What Makes a Champion Tree?
Champion trees are the largest of their species in Greater Kansas City, measured using a formula based on tree height, spread, and trunk circumference.
About the Champion Trees
The Linda Hall Library Arboretum is home to 16 Kansas City Champion Trees. Champion Tree status is determined using a mathematical formula based on tree height, spread, and trunk circumference. Trunk circumference is measured in inches four and one-half feet above ground. Tree height and spread are measured in feet. One point is given for each inch of trunk circumference and each foot of height. One quarter point is given for each foot of spread. The three measurements are added together to determine a tree’s point total. The designation of Champion Tree is assigned to the tree of a given genus and species with the largest point total.
Background on the Arboretum:
The Linda Hall Library’s grounds have been managed as an urban arboretum for over 75 years, featuring 51 genera and 130 species of trees. This living space was a gift from Herbert and Linda Hall, who envisioned the trees adding beauty and dignity to the Library grounds.
Come join us and reconnect with nature—this is a wonderful opportunity to recharge and gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world around us!
Common Name: Shumard Oak
Family: Fagaceae
Collection: Champion Trees
Year Planted: 1968
For our August 19th JEDI Book Club, we will be reading Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations by Mira Jacob.
To register, click here to email Anne Melia, JEDI Book Club organizer.
Anne notes: “I read this several years ago, and found it to be a unique and imaginative way to share difficult conversations. Since then, it has been on my list for us to read in the JEDI Book Club. While the content is poignant and heavy at times, the graphic memoir format is a refreshing departure from other books we have read.”
Liminal Spaces Retreat: A Strategic Planning and Resilience Workshop for the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Team 🌿
Liminal Spaces All-Day Retreat for the City of Flagstaff, Arizona
In today’s rapidly changing world, professionals working at the intersection of sustainability and climate change often face a unique set of challenges. Tightening budgets, shifting political landscapes, and the emotional toll of tackling environmental and social justice issues can create an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. For the City of Flagstaff’s Sustainability Team, this one-day retreat is specifically designed to help staff step away from the pressures of daily responsibilities, find clarity, and recharge both personally and professionally.
On August 22, 2025, the Resilient Activist team will host a transformative retreat at Camp Colton that will offer Flagstaff’s Sustainability Team the opportunity to reconnect, rejuvenate, and reignite their passion for sustainability. Set amidst the peaceful backdrop of nature, the retreat will combine nature-based meditations, enneagram assessments for self-reflection, and strategic planning exercises to support the team’s work moving forward.
This offsite retreat provides a much-needed sanctuary for healing, reflection, and connection. It’s designed as a space for team members to pause, reflect, and find grounding in the face of uncertainty. With facilitated mindfulness practices and group discussions, participants will explore how to navigate the emotional complexities of their work and cultivate resilience, both individually and as a team.
Led by The Resilient Activist team, the retreat will provide tools to overcome eco-anxiety and burnout while fostering collaboration and clarity of purpose. Together, the group will create actionable strategies for strengthening their collective impact and charting a path forward in their sustainability efforts.This event reflects the ongoing work of The Resilient Activist in supporting sustainability teams and organizations through transformative experiences that promote well-being, strategic clarity, and long-term resilience.
About The Resilient Activist ✨
The Resilient Activist is built on the belief that resilient activists are key to a sustainable world. We support those working in environmental justice by offering tools to address eco-anxiety, burnout, and emotional exhaustion through mindfulness, community-building, and nature-based practices.
Overwhelmed by Climate Change?
You’re Not Alone.
As we approach the late summer, we find ourselves in a season of transition—reflecting on the progress we’ve made and preparing for the changes ahead. August is a time to honor the growth we’ve experienced and deepen our commitment to resilience, both personally and as a community.
Together, we come to celebrate the strength we’ve built and the shared mission that drives us. This gathering is an opportunity to recharge, reconnect, and reinforce our collective efforts to nurture the planet and each other, ensuring we move forward with intention into the season ahead.
Our Resilient Activist Conversations offer a valuable opportunity to connect with a community that gets you, fill your cup, and gain resilience insights. Our community is full of folks who are experiencing many of the emotions that climate change has brought out in your heart and mind.
Running for about 90 minutes, our Resilient Activist Conversations include an introspective meditation, invitation to the topic of the evening (i.e., burnout, isolation, nature connection, etc.), breakout room conversations, and an ending group discussion.
There is nothing for you to commit to except to gather your favorite beverage, a journal, find a comfortable spot with your Zoom window open, and just be you.
Each session includes facilitators from The Resilient Activist as well as a Climate-Aware Therapist to guide the conversations in ways that are supportive and nurturing.
Help us nurture a stronger, more connected #ResilientActivist community! Your donation to The Resilient Activist directly supports our free Resilient Activist Conversations and their positive impact on activist communities.
Register here for our August Resilient Activist Conversation.
Here are some musings from past participants:
“Each time I attend a [Resilient Activist Conversation], I feel more connected to others, knowing that our communal love for Mother Earth is so strong and enduring. I come away more grounded, knowing that in the midst of so much chaos, there is compassion, care, and action for all living creatures.”
“Community support is vital for dealing with anxiety around environmental issues. I’m so happy TRA has facilitated discussions like tonight’s [Resilient Activist Conversation] and look forward to future conversations.”
“I faced my problem, now I can work on it. This is huge.”
“If you are looking for like minded people who are working in a positive way toward goals for climate advocacy, this is your group!”
Moonlit Mindfulness: A Spooky, Batty Experience
Sunday September 7th
7:30-8:30 PM
Franklin Park at Roe Ave & Somerset Dr, Prairie Village, KS 66208
Meet at the parking lot off of Roe Ave in front of the picnic pavilion (look for The Resilient Activist signs)
Join local bat enthusiast and The Resilient Activist board member Briana Anderson for a bat-watching walk in the park. Learn about the importance of bats and what we can do to support them as we search for bats flitting amongst the trees.
As the full moon rises, The Resilient Activist board member and founder of Mindfulness in the Heartland Amy Zoe Schonhoff will lead a meditation on the significance of the full moon, the transition into autumn, and our connections to our batty friends.
Bring a water bottle, jacket, and a camping chair if you have one. The walking trail is paved and suitable for wheelchairs, restrooms are located right by the picnic pavilion, and water fountains are available. Kids are welcome, as long as they’re able to stay quiet for the meditation.
Why Nature Connected Events?
In a world filled with constant distractions and uncertainty, our nature connected event offers an opportunity to reconnect with nature and find clarity under the calming glow of the moon. As we gather to observe the bats in their natural habitat, we can slow down, breathe deeply, and ground ourselves in the present moment. This unique experience invites us to embrace the beauty of nature, deepen our connection to the environment, and find collective renewal as we step away from the noise of everyday life. Let’s come together, recharged and inspired, ready to face the challenges ahead.
Contact Briana Anderson at briana@theresilientactivist.org with questions.
Photo Caption: Briana Anderson prepares to release rehabilitated bats at Lakeside Nature Center, Kansas City. Photo Credit: Briana Anderson
Bat Design Credit: Biho Takashi | Wikipedia Commons
For our September 16th JEDI Book Club, we will be reading That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning In America by Amanda Jones.
To register, click here to email Anne Melia, JEDI Book Club organizer.
Part memoir, part manifesto, the inspiring story of a Louisiana librarian advocating for inclusivity on the front lines of our vicious culture wars.
One of the things small town librarian Amanda Jones values most about books is how they can affirm a young person’s sense of self. So in 2022, when she caught wind of a local public hearing that would discuss “book content,” she knew what was at stake. Schools and libraries nationwide have been bombarded by demands for books with LGTBQ+ references, discussions of racism, and more to be purged from the shelves.
Spirit of Activism Retreat ✨
2025 Spirit of Activism Retreat – October 12th
(Rain Date: October 19th)
Join us for the 2025 Spirit of Activism Retreat, a transformative day of connection, reflection, and nature immersion designed for environmental activists and those seeking to deepen their connection to the natural world. Co-hosted by Patti Ragsdale of Botanical Belonging and Sami Aaron with The Resilient Activist, this retreat will take place at a serene forested location and offers a peaceful space to step away from the demands of daily life, slow down, and nurture your spirit.
Throughout the day, you’ll be guided through mindful practices that help you reconnect with yourself and the earth. 🌏The retreat will include a mix of activities such as guided walks through the woods, opportunities for solitude and contemplation, and engaging group discussions. These practices will support your journey toward emotional resilience, helping you process grief, stress, and eco-anxiety while gaining clarity and strength for continued action in the fight for
environmental justice.
Participants will bring a sack lunch, designed with zero waste principles in mind. There will be plenty of time for personal reflection and sharing. 🍜Participants will be invited to explore nature through both structured activities and solo time, where you can journal, meditate, or simply sit in stillness, connecting with the land and allowing the wisdom of nature to guide you. ✨
Whether you’re looking for a space to recharge, seek clarity, or simply deepen your relationship with nature, this retreat offers the tools and community to help you find balance and resilience. As we navigate challenging times, the Spirit of Activism Retreat is a powerful opportunity to step into a space of healing, renewal, and community with like-hearted individuals who share your passion for the earth. 🌞
Details:
- 📅 Date: October 12th, 2025 (Rain Date: October 19th)
- ⌚ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Bring a sack lunch)
- 📍 Location: Tonganoxie, Kansas [Exact address to be provided upon registration]
Registration Information (registration opens July 15, 2025):
- Pay-It-Forward: $100
- General Registration: $70
- Students/Seniors: $30
- Pay What You Can: Available for those with financial need
This retreat is limited to 25 participants to ensure an intimate and supportive experience, so be sure to register early. Whether you are an experienced activist or new to the journey of connecting with nature, this day will help you reconnect with your personal power and the deep wisdom of the earth.
We look forward to sharing this special day with you! 🌱
What We Do
We offer uplifting and nurturing community-building activities, articles, stories, and programs to reduce the immense overwhelm and burnout many experience in these unprecedented times.
For our presentations, workshops, and community gatherings, view our list of Services.
