I’m delighted to share that the comprehensive Evening Thoughts course, which I developed and co-facilitated with philosopher Nikos Patedakis, is now a permanent FREE self-paced Evening Thoughts Learning Resource on the Drummin Bog Project and this Haumea Ecoversity website. The aim of the course was to gather thinkers and practitioners to explore how we increase nature connection, foster ecoliteracy and an ecological worldview, through outdoor and nighttime activities.
I am grateful to have the interest and support of the Carlow Arts Office and a 2025 Arts Act Award to develop this pioneering course that allowed me to reach out to Irish and international speakers: Niamh Brennan, Drew Dellinger, K. Lauren de Boer, Robert Woodford, Aoibhin Ryan, Georgia MacMillan, Philip Ryan and Lucas Ihlein.
The cosmo-ecological course was inspired by my long-time ecoliteracy advisory role that I’ve had as a committee member for the Drummin Bog Project, in south Co. Carlow, since 2017. In 2027/8, the Drummin Bog Project will oversee a bog boardwalk and woodland paths – hence this forward-thinking course – resource to imagine increasing nature connection with Deep Time walks, gatherings, performances and night-time Dark Sky opportunities.
The name of the course ‘Evening Thoughts’ is from the profoundly influential ecological thinker and cultural historian, Thomas Berry who has long inspired my ongoing creative eco-social forestry practice The Hollywood Forest Story as a much needed ‘new story’, the ‘great work’ and our Earth Charter advocacy, for a wiser, more compassionate and just era.
Who is this Evening Thoughts Learning Resource for?
This self-paced online resource is for all adults involved in or interested in facilitating awe-inspiring outdoor or night gatherings—to increase ecoliteracy and nature connection for communities and audiences in your areas.
The Evening Thoughts Learning Resource is free, although donations to the independent artist-led Haumea Ecoversity are always welcome and deeply appreciated.
Acknowledgments:
Grateful thanks to the Carlow Arts Office, especially Arts Officer Aileen Nolan, for the 2025 Arts Act award that supported the development, the speakers, facilitators and delivery of this online course – now self-paced learning resource.
Deepest thanks to all the speakers who gave so generously to make this a wonderful learning resource.
Many thanks to philosopher Dr Nikos Patedakis (California) for co-facilitating this course, and Haumea Ecoversity members past and present who joined this course with much enthusiasm.
Many thanks to the Drummin Bog Committee and friends of Haumea Ecoversity who also supported this course.
From 2017, Creative Drummin (involving Drummin Bog Committee Members Jules Michael and myself) have been pioneering eco-creative community peatland engagement, with ecoliteracy advisory support from Haumea Ecoversity.
The Creative Drummin programme has been developed with support from Carlow ArtLinks, Creative Ireland Carlow and the Arts Council, and through the Carlow Arts Office-led 3-county Gnáthóga Nádúrtha | Natural Habitat Programme 2022-24.
Creative Drummin findings from Jules and myself, the larger 3-county Gnáthóga Nádúrtha | Natural Habitat Programme have also contributed to the 2026 Guide for Wetland Communities Engaging in Creative Projects, produced by Ireland’s Community Wetlands Forum, launched by Minister Christopher O’Sullivan at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (March 2026).
Hello! Kia Ora! Dia daoibh!
I’m Cathy Fitzgerald, an ecological artist, educator, and founder of Haumea Ecoversity.
Originally from Aotearoa, New Zealand, I’ve lived in rural Ireland, the ancestral home of my family, for over 30 years.
Together with my philosopher colleague Dr Nikos Patedakis (USA), we’ve guided over 400 creative professionals worldwide in transformative ecoliteracy training since 2019.
Haumea Ecoversity Community Membership is a vibrant space for lifelong learning, collective wisdom, and creative transformation for a more beautiful, just, and life-sustaining world.
Dr Cathy Fitzgerald
“In these times of great challenge, I’m passionate about ecoliteracy
to promote a wiser, more compassionate and just ecological worldview:
this means raising awareness of holistic thinking, creativity, language, and
head-heart-body practices
—to reimagine and re-enchant education to benefit ourselves,
the community of life and future generations ”
In 2022, I was honoured to be nominated by Earth Charter International, a UNESCO Chair for ESD,
as the Earth Charter Focal Point Communicator for Ireland
About Cathy
- Ecological Artist: Creator of the ongoing Hollywood Forest Story
with new-to-Ireland Closer-to-Nature continuous cover forestry (begun 2008). - Educator & Advisor: Accredited ESD Earth Charter educator,
Creative Drummin Carlow Bog project ecoliteracy advisor since 2017 - Researcher & Mentor: Specialist in Education for Sustainable
Development (ESD) at Haumea Ecoversity.com
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