Alderroot Healing & Renewal
Now Booking: What is mine to do? A 3 week virtual class
Eco-Spiritual Facilitation
Training & Certification
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Amplifying your journey to becoming a grounded, intuitive, and transformative facilitator of shared sacred spaces.
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Facilitators: Irene Elle Bailey and Dr. Heather Burns
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9 month training January-September 2025
(Virtual with in-person retreat)
Open to all identities
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Do you feel called to design and facilitate transformative group experiences that invite and honor ecological and spiritual connection?
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Whether you are a less-experienced or long-time facilitator, you can grow your capacity to be an intuitive and confident facilitator who makes a significant difference in people’s lives. In today’s world of increasing anxiety and disconnection, we need wise guides who can support healing and well-being on behalf of Life. In this training you will gather new perspectives, skills, and tools for growing your ability to facilitate groups in ways that support deep ecological and spiritual connection, and transformative change.
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The Eco-Spiritual Facilitation Training & Certification Program is for practitioners and healers such as therapists & coaches, yoga & somatic teachers, and nature connection guides, who want to learn how to design and facilitate transformative and inclusive group experiences that invite and honor ecological and spiritual connection.This could look like retreats, workshops, classes, rituals, group sessions, and other creative offerings.
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The Eco-Spiritual Facilitation training and certification program will support your growth as a facilitator while also deepening your journey into ecological and spiritual connection.
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In this training you will be invited to:
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Root deeply into your own values and wisdom
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Trust yourself and your connection to the earth
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Deepen your capacity for mindful awareness, loving presence, and compassion
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Learn an emergent ecological design process to support transformative change
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Commit to eco-spiritual practices that support your growth as a facilitator
5 Core Tenets
These tenets are foundational to our work. Throughout the training we will be integrating these tenets into our learning.
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Relationship & Interbeing: Our learning and lives are rooted in interconnected relationships. We can learn to trust that when our path is rooted in interbeing, we have access to intuition, earth wisdom, and deeper knowing. We are committed to creating inclusive relational spaces rooted in healing justice.
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Mindful & Compassionate Awareness: Our approach to our work and ourselves recognizes the need for our loving attention, presence, and compassion in a distracted and overwhelmed world.
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Ecological Wisdom: We work in partnership with the earth and access wisdom directly from the natural world. Emergent ecological design, ritual, and seasonal connection are tools in this unfolding relationship.
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Transformative & Experiential Learning: The learning we guide is participatory, intuitive, emergent, and holds possibility for transformative change. We use tools such as invitation, reflection, and embodied & sensory experience to enhance learning.
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Inherent Wholeness: We believe everyone is inherently whole and deserves to uncover and remember wholeness. We cultivate experiences that deepen relationships, honor grief, and invite joy, playfulness, curiosity, and creativity.​
This training is rooted in recent research and wisdom from adult learning theories such as experiential, place-based, contemplative, and transformative learning, and is strongly informed by an understanding of Spiritual Ecology, New Science, Ecopsychology, Critical Theory, Forest Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Ceremony, and Rites of Passage work. Additionally, our decades of practical experience as transformative educators and facilitators inform and guide this training.
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This facilitation training will not only offer new concepts and relationships but will model eco-spiritual facilitation, providing a clear experience of what it feels like and looks like to be an eco-spiritual facilitator. You will also receive a toolkit of practices and have opportunities to practice what you are learning. This training will be limited to 16 participants so that you have the opportunity to build supportive relationships and connections within our learning community.
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Gain clarity and confidence in your ability to hold transformative space for others, knowing that you have the tools and skills to be an intuitive and impactful facilitator of shared sacred spaces.
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What is the 2025 training schedule?Day Long Orientation and Workshop: January 11 (10:00-4:00 PT / 1:00-7:00 ET) Monthly Workshops: Saturdays, February - June (1-4:00 PT / 4-7:00 ET) February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14 Monthly Connection Sessions Wednesdays, January - August (5:00-6:30 PT / 8:00-9:30 ET) January 22, February 19, March 19, April 23, May 21, June 25, July 23, August 20 5-day In-person Retreat (Yachats, Oregon) September 12-16, 2025 We will be camping and hosting our retreat at Temenos Forest Sanctuary, a private, beautiful, and sacred 5-acre forested property 2 miles north of Yachats. It is truly a spectacular place to camp and call home. The ocean is a 15 minute walk, mostly through the forest, and there are various creeks to enjoy on and around the property. This space offers itself for deep nourishment and calm. Alternate accommodations can be made (hotel/ airbnb) if you prefer not to camp but will be an additional charge.
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What do we mean by Eco-Spiritual?An approach to life rooted in relationships, interconnectedness, reverence, and wholeness. A deep awareness of ourselves as ecological and spiritual beings. A reverence for the magic and mystery of spiritual experience rooted in earth connection. A trust in process and unknowns, in the unfolding of life. Eco-Spirituality has been part of the human experience since the beginning of time. An Eco-Spiritual lens offers a healing response to the climate crisis and other challenges we currently face together.
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What do we mean by Facilitator?A facilitator is someone who eases the way for others, who supports a growth or healing process. The word facilitate comes from the Latin facilis, for "easy." It means to make something easier or more likely to happen. A facilitator may serve in the role of guide, teacher, mentor, coach, healer, or anyone who creates and supports spaces of ease and possibility for others.
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Who is the Eco-Spiritual Facilitation Training & Certification for?This is a non-religious training that welcomes people from all spiritual backgrounds. You are invited to attend virtually from anywhere but will need to make arrangements to attend the in-person retreat in September. Specifically we invite: Forest Therapy and other nature guides Mindfulness and Meditation Teachers Therapists Life and Creative Coaches Yoga and Qigong teachers Somatic Practitioners Acupuncturists Plant medicine guides Artists Energy Workers Herbalists Doulas Social justice & climate activists Conservation and restoration leaders Spiritual leaders Anyone that wants to bring an eco-spiritual approach to their facilitation work
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How do I become a Certified Eco-Spiritual Facilitator?Attend all or most of the group learning sessions and actively participate Attend the orientation and culminating retreat Track your personal eco-spiritual practices for a minimum of 25 hours Observe other eco-spiritual facilitators for a minimum of 8 hours Design a new eco-spiritual offering Practice facilitating at least one eco-spiritual offering Craft an eco-spiritual facilitator statement that highlights your values and practices
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This training is for you if:
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You are a values-based practitioner or guide who would like to feel more confident facilitating groups and integrating ecological and spiritual learning
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You want to deepen your connection to yourself and the earth, and learn how to skillfully facilitate learning and healing in partnership with the earth
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You want to learn to facilitate transformative adult learning that inspires meaning and invites change
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You want to move beyond our dominant cultural norms, dismantle systems of oppression, and live and work with more ease, curiosity and creativity
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You want to expand your capacity to trust yourself and what you are offering, allowing intuition and wisdom to guide your work
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You would like to learn practical and proven methods for designing and facilitating transformative eco-spiritual learning that prioritizes the sacred
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You are open to self-reflection, growth, and deep learning
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You would like to learn with others in a process that is emergent, supportive, and deeply relational
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You are able to commit time and space to your learning and growth as an eco-spiritual facilitator. This includes attending our sessions regularly and committing to your own personal practices and reflection.
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You want the flexibility of virtual learning and can commit to a relational learning process with fixed meeting times and a culminating in-person retreat
Format and Timing:
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This 9 month training begins with a day-long virtual retreat on January 11, 2025 and culminates with a 5 day in person retreat September 12-16, 2025 (on the Oregon Coast). Each month from January to September there will be 2 participatory virtual sessions; one 3 hour Saturday session and one 90 minute Wednesday session per month (see below for specific dates). We expect people to participate as fully as possible and understand that you may need to miss a session. Due to the participatory nature of the sessions, we will record as much as possible.
Virtual sessions are designed to be participatory, meaningful, and relational. These sessions will include check-ins, contemplative practices, earth connection practices (on screen and with invitations to go off screen and come back), small group activities, reflective journaling, and more.
Each month we focus on a specific theme with content that aligns with the season and guides us into deeper knowing and ability in our eco-spiritual facilitation practice. Every month you will receive new facilitation tools, resources, and reflective and contemplative practices to support your learning.
Meet your Facilitators:
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Dr. Heather Burns (she/her) has been a scholar and facilitator of eco-spiritual learning for over 20+ years as a university professor and through her business, Alderroot Healing & Renewal. She holds space for transformative healing and wholeness rooted in relationships and interbeing. She has extensive experience teaching others how to design and facilitate eco-spiritual and sustainability learning, and she is an experienced designer and facilitator of participatory, experiential, contemplative, and transformative learning experiences. Over the years, she has deepened her intuitive facilitation skills through guiding retreats, forest therapy experiences, courses in spirituality and deep ecology, and personal mentorship.
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Heather holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership in Sustainability, an MA in Women Studies and Adult Education, and a BA in Psychology. She was the director of the Leadership for Sustainability Education graduate program for many years and has published numerous articles on transformative and eco-spiritual learning. She is the author of the book Transformative Sustainability Pedagogy: Designing and Facilitating Eco-Spiritual Learning.
Heather is also a certified forest therapy guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, a Reiki master, and a certified permaculture designer. Heather believes that we all need mindful support and inclusive spaces of gentle care and guidance as we struggle in these times of climate crisis and crumbling social systems. She knows healing is supported by remembering our connection to the living earth and by truly feeling our sense of belonging in this wise beautiful world. She supports finding renewal and joy in learning to listen to our bodies, and in direct reconnection to our spirits, the more than human world, and each other.
Heather calls Portland, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest her home. She finds joy in her daily contemplative practices, tending her large polyculture garden, forest wandering, and ocean and river swimming. She is also an avid reader, writer, and creative designer of eco-spiritual experiences.
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Irene Elle Bailey (she/her) is a designer and facilitator of nature connection and mindfulness offerings that support the remembering that we are intimately and inseparably connected to all life. As a creator of spaces for cultivating trust, courage, intuition, and wisdom, Irene has supported hundreds on their path to living a more connected, authentic, and joyful life. Over the past 20 years, she has worked with numerous environmental and sustainability education programs. She is the founder and director of Temenos Rising where she shares retreats, workshops, forest bathing walks, and mentorship, all held in deep relationship with the natural world.
Irene holds an MS in Leadership for Sustainability Education from Portland State University and is a certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Association for Nature and Forest Therapy. She has trained with the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies as a Buddhist Eco-Chaplain and continues to train in ceremony and rites of passage work with the School of Lost Borders.
Irene believes wholeheartedly in the transformation and deep healing that is possible when we allow the more than human world to be a wise teacher and cultivate a felt sense of interbeing. Irene supports the creation of safer spaces in the natural world so that others can get the healing and nourishment they deserve to live well.
Irene calls the Oregon coast home where she enjoys hiking, hanging out with big trees, surfing, practicing meditation, foraging for mushrooms and seaweed, and taking romps with her partner and pup. She brings her whole self to this work for the benefit of all beings.
Cost:
$3950-5450 (Sliding Scale)
Payment plans available, please let us know if you'd like one.
$250 fee with application
This fee is applied towards total cost and is refundable within 30 days if either you or us decide the training is not the right fit. Once accepted into the program, you have 2 weeks to secure your spot by paying a $500 deposit.
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Payment, Refund & Cancellation Policy/Payment Plan Details: ​Payments, Refund, & Cancellation Policy: Full payment is due 60 days before the training start date (or at the time of registration if the training will start in less than 60 days). Cancellation received 90 or more days before training start date: Full refund minus $200 administrative fee Cancellation received 60-90 days before training start date: Refund of 25% of amount paid. Cancellation received 59 days or less before training start date: We will not be able to offer any refund. * There are no refunds available once the training program starts. Payment Plans: We offer payment plans for no extra charge. For those in need, we are able to offer a few payment plans that are billed monthly throughout the training. Priority will be given to folks with financial need who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, trans, queer, disabled, or single parents. * Please email us for options and set up a plan that works for you.
Inclusivity:
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We ask that our participants be committed to the ongoing learning and awareness of how white supremacy negatively impacts all life, especially Black and Brown people. In an effort to support an inclusive space, we know this work, this dismantling of systemic oppression, is essential to sharing healing spaces and to supporting the collective liberation for all beings.
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What is the 2025 training schedule?Day Long Orientation and Workshop: January 11 (10:00-4:00 PT / 1:00-7:00 ET) Monthly Workshops: Saturdays, February - June (1-4:00 PT / 4-7:00 ET) February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14 Monthly Connection Sessions Wednesdays, January - August (5:00-6:30 PT / 8:00-9:30 ET) January 22, February 19, March 19, April 23, May 21, June 25, July 23, August 20 5-day In-person Retreat (Yachats, Oregon) September 12-16, 2025 We will be camping and hosting our retreat at Temenos Forest Sanctuary, a private, beautiful, and sacred 5-acre forested property 2 miles north of Yachats. It is truly a spectacular place to camp and call home. The ocean is a 15 minute walk, mostly through the forest, and there are various creeks to enjoy on and around the property. This space offers itself for deep nourishment and calm. Alternate accommodations can be made (hotel/ airbnb) if you prefer not to camp but will be an additional charge.
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What do we mean by Eco-Spiritual?An approach to life rooted in relationships, interconnectedness, reverence, and wholeness. A deep awareness of ourselves as ecological and spiritual beings. A reverence for the magic and mystery of spiritual experience rooted in earth connection. A trust in process and unknowns, in the unfolding of life. Eco-Spirituality has been part of the human experience since the beginning of time. An Eco-Spiritual lens offers a healing response to the climate crisis and other challenges we currently face together.
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What do we mean by Facilitator?A facilitator is someone who eases the way for others, who supports a growth or healing process. The word facilitate comes from the Latin facilis, for "easy." It means to make something easier or more likely to happen. A facilitator may serve in the role of guide, teacher, mentor, coach, healer, or anyone who creates and supports spaces of ease and possibility for others.
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Who is the Eco-Spiritual Facilitation Training & Certification for?This is a non-religious training that welcomes people from all spiritual backgrounds. You are invited to attend virtually from anywhere but will need to make arrangements to attend the in-person retreat in September. Specifically we invite: Forest Therapy and other nature guides Mindfulness and Meditation Teachers Therapists Life and Creative Coaches Yoga and Qigong teachers Somatic Practitioners Acupuncturists Plant medicine guides Artists Energy Workers Herbalists Doulas Social justice & climate activists Conservation and restoration leaders Spiritual leaders Anyone that wants to bring an eco-spiritual approach to their facilitation work
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How do I become a Certified Eco-Spiritual Facilitator?Attend all or most of the group learning sessions and actively participate Attend the orientation and culminating retreat Track your personal eco-spiritual practices for a minimum of 25 hours Observe other eco-spiritual facilitators for a minimum of 8 hours Design a new eco-spiritual offering Practice facilitating at least one eco-spiritual offering Craft an eco-spiritual facilitator statement that highlights your values and practices
“Call upon the help of those who love you. These helpers may take many forms: Animal, element, bird, angel, saint, stone, or ancestor…”
-Joy Harjo
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In-Person Retreat Details
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Dates: September 12-16, 2025
Location: Yachats, Oregon
We will be camping at Temenos Forest Sanctuary, a private, beautiful, and sacred 5-acre forested property 2 miles north of Yachats. It is truly a spectacular place to camp and call home for a few days. The ocean is a 15 minute walk, mostly through the forest, and there are various creeks to enjoy on and around the property. This space offers itself for deep nourishment and calm. You will likely go home having the land and its inhabitants wedged deeply into your heart.
What is included:
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All food
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Private forest location to camp (option to stay nearby in a hotel/airbnb for an additional cost)
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Sacred space to explore and wander
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Sound & energy healing session
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Opportunities for deep connection to self, community, & the natural world
What is not included:
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Travel to and from the retreat (Central Oregon Coast)
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Camping gear
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Alternate accommodations if you prefer not to camp (hotels and other nearby accommodations are available). This must be arranged individually but please reach out for suggestions.