Zack Rouda

Zack Rouda is the founder of Rewild Maine, a non-profit that in their words:

“is an educational 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in what is now known as Portland.  This is a feeble attempt to contribute to the work of addressing problems wrought on the natural world and uncivilized people by the leviathan of [European] civilized empire. Do we know the history of the land we occupy!? How can we begin to address and possibly heal the damage caused by colonization? What actions may we take, individually and collectively, to claim responsibility for our own existence, and also for others? Where can we go from here? These are important questions and Rewild Maine is committed to sitting inside of them. We welcome feedback and any contribution anyone may want to share. We all need deep healing; we all can always learn more and we all benefit from further connection to nature.”

My conversation with Zack is his New Earth Story that articulates his evolving awareness of his relationship with the earth. We spoke in his workshop located off his apartment on the peninsula in Portland, Maine. We sat among his basket weavings, tools, and the many roadkill animals that he is working with. It was a pleasure to share space with him while smoking tobacco and discussing the challenges that we face while trying to live closer to the earth when humans feel so disconnected from the land we draw sustenance from. As we spoke new ideas emerged organically and we explored how he landed in his current role running a non-profit centered on connecting humans back to the wild while living in an urban environment.