Part of the Loving Justice Initiative at the Resource Center for Nonviolence
Rights of Nature Santa Cruz is advocating for policies to protect the rights of nonhumans in the Santa Cruz area, but what are the rights of nature? This free learning circle invites you to learn more.
The learning circle is facilitated by Amanda M. Smith, Associate Professor of Literature at UC Santa Cruz. Her research argues that the rights of nature are a point of departure, not an end in and of themselves. They come to life through community education, art, literature, and ecological practice.
We welcome people of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, citizenship statuses, and abilities.
Questions?
Contact Amanda: ams@ucsc.edu
Meetings in 2026
Every 3rd Wednesday
Resource Center for Nonviolence
612 Ocean St.
6:30 – 7:30 pm
We hope you will complete readings before meetings, but if you cannot, come & learn anyway!
October 21
Topic: Why stories matter for thinking with nonhumans
Reading: César Rodríguez-Garavito, “More-Than-Human Rights: Law, Science, and Storytelling Beyond Anthropocentrism,” in More-Than-Human Rights, NYU Law, 2024, pp. 23-49. (online: part of a free, open-access book)
November 18
Topic: Indigenous Philosophy & the “More-than-Human” World
Reading: Ailton Krenak, Life Is Not Useful, Polity Press, 2023. Purchase from Bookshop or email Amanda if purchase is an obstacle. She will provide a copy.