Introduction to the Rights of Nature

This opening module introduces learners to the Rights of Nature (RoN) — a transformative framework that recognizes ecosystems as living entities with the inherent rights to exist, flourish, regenerate, and evolve. Drawing on Indigenous worldviews that see land and water as relatives rather than resources, we explore the philosophical, cultural, and legal foundations of this movement. Through a short video lecture, selected readings, and case studies from Ecuador’s Constitution and the Whanganui River in New Zealand, participants will gain a grounding in how RoN challenges extractive, human-centered legal systems. Learners will also reflect on their own relationships to nature and consider how cultural perspectives shape the way we care for the Earth. By the end of this module, participants will be able to define the Rights of Nature, articulate its philosophical underpinnings, and begin connecting the framework to their own lives and communities.

Course•By Crystal Cavalier