Loka’s Capacity Building Projects

  • CREATION AT THE CROSSROADS

    Between 2019 and 2023, the Loka Initiative collaborated with our evangelical partners and other organizations to equip leaders from 63 church institutions with training and resources on environmental topics. This initiative fostered a global support network for these faith leaders, centered on climate action both in the US and internationally.

  • SACRED WISDOM SACRED EARTH

    In 2021, Loka and the International Mayan League co-hosted the Indigenous-led Sacred Wisdom, Sacred Earth convening. Subsequently, in 2022, Loka began producing a documentary guided by their Indigenous Advisory Council, highlighting Indigenous resilience and ecological wisdom in the Great Lakes region as vital for environmental healing.

  • KHORYUG

    Since 2009, Khoryug—an eco-monastic network of over 50 Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries across the Himalayas—has addressed climate and environmental issues under the guidance of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Loka created, translated, and distributed vital health guidelines for all the Khoryug monasteries and nunneries.

Loka’s Resilience Building Projects

  • THE RITA SUMMIT

    In August 2023, Loka convened nearly 1,800 participants and over 40 experts to examine climate distress and eco-anxiety through an intersectional justice lens. This online summit fostered discussions on emotional resilience and healing, blending various approaches, and ultimately inspired the creation of the Psychology of Deep Resilience course.

  • PSYCHOLOGY OF DEEP RESILIENCE

    Loka launched a free, online certificate course on edX titled Psychology of Deep Resilience, created in collaboration with experts in contemplative science, clinical psychology, Indigenous knowledge, and community resilience. The four-course program explores the psychological impacts of climate change and introduces resilience practices drawn from Buddhism, Indigenous land-based healing, and Somatics, with optional certification available.

  • RESEARCH AND MORE!

    Loka recently launched a research project exploring how ecological emotions show up in different communities and how contemplative practices can help buffer the worst of these emotions and regulate them toward community or individual action. The work includes studies embedded in the Psychology of Deep Resilience course and guidance from a diverse advisory board of environmental professionals. Loka is also developing a Deep Resilience framework and a wellbeing program for environmentalists that will launch soon. Loka is also working on a framework for Deep Resilience that will launch soon.

Gratitude

We are able to make our events, courses, and resources freely available to all due to the invaluable generosity of our donors, some of whom are listed below.

We are also deeply thankful for our major donors and individual supporters including:

Agnes Bourne

Peggy Hedberg

C. Madrazo & R Hernández

The Schwartzes

Your support means the world to us!