For Nature: Advancing the Rights of Nature Movement Together
What if rights of Nature became a reality around the world? It’s already happening. So what comes next?
Join forNature and The Oxygen Project and Indigenous leaders as we gather advocates, experts, and movement leaders for a conversation, collaboration, and collective action toward a future where Nature's rights are recognized worldwide.
Communities and countries are recognizing Rights of Nature through constitutions, laws, judicial decisions, declarations and other evolving legal and governance approaches. Together, these wins are creating a roadmap for what’s possible.
Come curious. Bring your ideas. And join us in imagining, and building, what comes next.
AGENDA:
2:30–2:45 PM
Welcome + Mingling
Guests arrive, grab refreshments, and connect with fellow advocates, organizers, storytellers, funders, and movement leaders.
2:45–4:00 PM Rights of Nature Programming
Opening words by Giuliana Furci framing the Rights of Nature around Fungi
What Are Rights of Nature? — An Introduction
Callie Veelenturf and the forNature team will introduce the Rights of Nature movement: what it means to recognize nature as a rights-bearing entity, some of the legal and cultural traditions that have contributed to the evolution of Rights of Nature, and how Rights of Nature is creating new pathways for protecting ecosystems around the world.Rights of Nature: Indigenous Leadership & a Global Movement
Indigenous leaders will broaden the conversation, sharing an Indigenous perspective on the rights and relationship with Nature and the importance of centering Indigenous leadership, sovereignty, and traditional knowledge in advancing this movement.From Precedent to Possibility: Panama’s Rights of Nature Journey
Cami Aybar of The Oxygen Project will share Panama’s growing precedent for Rights of Nature and what it could mean for protecting the country’s vital ecosystems. Joined by Callie and the forNature team, the conversation will explore the David Mangroves as an example of how Panama's Rights of Nature framework could contribute to the protection of vital ecosystems.Panama's initiative for a possible UN Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature
The forNature team share an update on Panama's leadership in advancing an open, inclusive and Member State-led process at the United Nations concerning a possible UN Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature and explore the important role that civil society can play in contributing to the conversation.
Questions + Open Conversation
An opportunity for guests to engage directly with Callie, Cami, Casey, and other speakers, share reflections, and explore how Rights of Nature can be advanced in their own communities, movements, and areas of work.
4:00–4:30 PM
Mingle + Connect
Continue the conversation over light refreshments and connect with others working across law, science, conservation, philanthropy, advocacy, storytelling, and beyond. The Chilli podcast studio will also be available for anyone who would like to share a short reflection on camera and add their voice to the conversation.
Panelists:
Giuliana Furci, Mycologist, foundress and Executive Director of the Fungi FoundationXiomara Acevedo, Campaign Strategist for the UN Universal Declaration of the of Nature Initiative at forNature and Director of Barranquilla +20
Callie Veelenturf, Marine Biologist, Founder and Executive Director of forNature and The Leatherback Project
Rafaela Iturralde, Director of Strategy and Operations at forNature, Hub Coordinator at GARN
Cami Aybar, Panama Campaign Manager at The Oxygen Project
Felix Wing Solis, Senior Legal Advisor for the UN Universal Declaration of the of Nature Initiative at forNature
Julia Horinek, Ponca activist and organizer, Global North Organizer for the GARN Indigenous Council
Alexandra Narvaez, Cofán environmental and land-rights activist
*Panelists are subject to change
About The Oxygen Project
The Oxygen Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to protecting nature, empowering changemakers, and supporting life on Earth. Through bold campaigns, innovative education, and inspiring storytelling, we defend the life-support systems that produce our planet’s oxygen and champion a regenerative, conscious, and climate-resilient future.
About forNature
forNature uses science, community empowerment, and inspiring ethical arguments to be a voice for Nature, combat extinction, and lead high-impact conservation initiatives that protect endangered species, preserve threatened habitats, and advance and implement the Rights of Nature around the world.