purpose

Restore our ecosystems and communities by offering caretaking in many forms.

earth benders, is a queer & disabled led regenerative caretaking cooperative rooted in ancestral practices.

We offer permaculture designs, death, forest and garden care. Cultivating a culture centered in reciprocity, connection, and repair.

Recognizing that social and environmental justice are deeply linked we are devoted to decolonizing our relationship with the land and each other. We are building a future grounded in resilience, belonging, and ecological balance - one garden, one home, and one season at a time.

  • Bear | They/Them

    co-founder, ecological director

    Bear, an earth activist born from the salt lake valley, is a shepherd who loves spending time in the pasture singing to their sheep. They have received their permaculture design certificate through OSU and is finishing their education through a PINA program called Earth Activist Training for Advanced PDC & Regenerative Land Management Diploma. Weaving community into ecosystems with permaculture, and art is their passion.

  • Dawny | He/Him

    co-founder, systems director

    Dawny combines technology and nature to guide his work at earth benders, including community care, disability justice, & ancestral knowledge. He weaves our systems, finance, and operational needs into a functional ecosystem. Dawny is a down-to-earth shepherd that can often be found creating melodies at his piano.

  • Natalie | She/Her

    creative director

    Natalie is a multi-media creative, musician, and somatic womb practitioner originally from the Adirondack mountains on the east coast. Her work in the world includes storytelling through photo and writing, making music, healing arts and menstrual cycle literacy, and ancestral integrity work. Natalie is a silly, fairy-like friend down to nerd out anytime about celtic folklore or ancient womb wisdom.

  • Lucy | She/Her

    gardener

    Born and raised in the pacific northwest, Lucy has a background in regenerative gardening, farming, and landscaping. she is so excited to incorporate land work with the big picture of community care and the emergence of a repaired world. Lucy is always happy to discuss Joanna Macy, Adrienne Maree Brown, and Neil Young!

  • Haley | They/Them

    gardener, creative muse

    Haley loves to be the hands in the dirt helping to bring permaculture designs to reality. They are deeply inspired by nature and it has had a tremendous impact on their ten-year art career. Haley loves to be breathing out in the garden and woods with the critters and bugs.

  • Angela | She/They

    Death caretaker & Gardener

    Angela is originally from Colorado, a poet and somatic movement artist curious about the human condition and committed to healing. Integrating what she learns as a Classical Chinese Medicine student, Angela seeks to respond to the interconnectivity of all things with a heart-centered approach. With a perspective of holistic care, she aims to hone her creative offerings, teaching, life studies, and practitioner.