is a registered nonprofit in North Carolina. We believe that our own health is inextricably intertwined with the health of the world around us. We believe that when we diversify and enrich the world we live in, our inner imaginations change shape, and those inner imaginations inspire us to tend the living world, and onward in a reciprocal spiral.
Our vision statement:
The mission of Once and Future Forest is to reforest the corridor of the Irish West Camino with a biodiverse ecosystem of native Irish trees. We envision the eventual creation of a wildlife corridor/green belt across Ireland. By planting the Camino with native Irish trees, we hope to revitalize the spiritual significance of the Irish forest by creating the opportunity for relationship between locals, pilgrims, and the original ogham trees of Irish myth and history.
Our goal is threefold: to revitalize the native ecology of Ireland, lower Ireland’s vulnerability to climate change, and reduce planetary carbon load; to provide aesthetic shelter and shade for pilgrims on the Irish West Camino and inhabitants of the surrounding areas; and to foster conditions for a spiritual relationship between pilgrims of the trail and the mythology, history, and lore of the Irish forest.
Our name is gathered from tales of heroes asleep beneath the soil of the land, ready to return when we need them. This evokes the sleeping seedbank of the ancient Irish forest, resting in the soil and ready to return at our time of need.
We will enact our mission by hosting storytelling and other community events. Donations from these events will initially be distributed among current Irish reforestation initiatives until 501(c) 3 status is obtained, at which time we will focus on purchasing native trees and making them available to pilgrims and locals for planting along the trail. This will be accomplished through partnership with local communities and pre-existing land stewardship initiatives that will assist us in identifying community land where trees would be both welcomed and tended.
Our current board
President Jeremy Scheweis a senior ecologist, botanist, GIS technician, and environmental consultant who is at the forefront of efforts to revitalize and resanctify the Irish West Camino and is the author of Aisling: Discovering Keys in the Irish-Celtic Mysteries.
Vice President Eimear Burke is a psychologist, lecturer, and seanchaí who has served as the chosen chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Driuds since 2018.
Treasurer T. Robert Fetter is an economist who co-founded Equitable Origin, where he created an independent, stakeholder-based certification standard for responsibly sourced energy. He is a principal consultant at Environmental Resources Management, where he assists large and small corporations to transition to a low-carbon energy future, and to set and meet science-based sustainability commitments.
Once and Future Forest is in the process of applying for 501(c)3 status. In the meantime, if you wish to make a non-deductible donation for our reforestation work you can do so here:
