'The Symbiocene will be characterised by sumbiocentric human intelligence that replicates, in all aspects of social life, the symbiotic and mutually reinforcing, life-reproducing forms and processes found in all living systems...'
'The scientific meaning of the word “symbiosis” implies living together for mutual benefit...As a core aspect of ecological thinking, symbiosis affirms the interconnectedness of life and all living things.' Glenn Albrecht 

I love this term because it emphasises the mutuality of the interrelational space between unique individuals.
As an evolving terminology, Symbiocene embraces the reality that our senses are emerging, that we are in a state of becoming more of who we can be. 

I revel in the recognition that we are all interconnected in ways beyond our current scientific understanding. Ways that defy our money orientated complacency. Ways that Indigenous peoples have accepted for eons. Ways that I feel humanity must recognise if we are to move forward as a species caring for all our parts. 

This page is dedicated to the work I was fortunate to be able to do in the Amazon in October and November 2022. I travelled to Ecuador to study with the 11th El Consorcio Latinamericano de Biologia de la Conservación course. Created by seven devoted & celebrated Latin American Conservation Professors, the course was to be held for the first time at Tiputini Biodiversity Research Station (TBS). And as if that wasn't incentive enough, Dr Kelly Swing, Founding Director of TBS, was to accompany us from Universidad de San Francisco Quito bringing his Eagle-eyed perspective and depth of experience to guide our time there. In essence, the experience was a potent, and vital learning experience. Being amongst the 21 passionate environmentalist students, all at varying stages within their own conservation studies, was more than enlivening. The entire experience was lit up like a violet sun haloed with lime green tinged with turquoise blue, and dipped in sparkling gold :)
And when the course group left? I stayed at TBS for four more days to explore the rainforest with guide Froilan Macanilla. Froilan grew up in the Kichwa village of Samona Yuturi, and knows this pristine, primary, Amazon, intimately. Immersing in Nature with him embodies the very essence of Deep Ecology. Time slows, adventure is everything, and the connections with other life forms are familiar. 
After TBS I met with José Nenquimo, a Waorani man who champions his culture. We first met in 2016 when three communities of Waorani evicted a trespassing oil company! Going to Konipare and staying with his family for four days was an eye-opening experience. In the future, more short films from this entire soul fuel time in the Amazon will be added to those below.

Another amazing outcome from my return to the Ecuadorian Amazon, was the opportunity to deliver three Canon cameras - kindly donated by friends in Byron Shire, Australia - to the Waorani Indigena Resistencia. Huge gratitude to Yeni Floradeladelva, Donatella Parisini, and Paul Daley for so generously answering my Facebook request.
These cameras will serve a critical purpose: enabling the Waorani to document the extraordinary biodiversity of their territory - where unknown species are being recognised by the scientific community almost daily. 

They will also strengthen the Waorani’s territorial bio-mapping efforts, which support their legal campaigns for land rights—campaigns that continue to result in landmark victories in the Supreme Courts!

Additionally, the cameras will be used to document illegal activities driven by extractivist industries. These industries often claim to be building “ecological trails,” yet in reality, they construct full-scale roads that cut through untouched old-growth rainforest. These roads pave the way for illegal logging operations and deeper encroachment into one of the world’s most vital ecosystems.

These people are our frontline warriors when it comes to preserving and conserving the Amazon.

In this they have my unwavering support.

In May 2023 I was published at the International Multispecies Methods Research Symposium at the Saskatchawan University in Canada about Intuitive Interspecies Communication. My experiences with the Golden Mantled Tamarins at TBS inspired the paper which is added as a Journal entry here...

 

The following reels have also been released on Instagram and Facebook. If they move you, please consider sharing them—with credit to Sagefire Blooming Productions Inc. Now more than ever, Nature needs us all to love and protect her. For deeper insight into the ecosystems and species featured, click on the YouTube option when viewing the videos—you’ll find expanded information about the Nature involved in each reel there.