The Firefly Gathering is a community organization dedicated to sharing the skills and ideologies that help us to live abundantly and harmoniously with Earth. In a time of disconnection, industrial specialization, environmental injury, and rapid climate change, we believe it is of the utmost importance to adapt the way we live to not only survive in the changing world around us, but to thrive within our contributions to the human experience. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax deductible.
Every year around 1,000 people from diverse nationalities, faiths, political viewpoints, and backgrounds convene from around the globe at Firefly for a multi-day gathering. Here folks get a taste of life in community—where people experience a shared culture centered around learning traditional skills, preserving ancestral knowledge, living peacefully and productively with each other—all towards the goal of meeting our needs and living well without exploiting Earth.
Over the course of the gathering, nearly 100 teachers of assorted ages and backgrounds offer over 300 classes ranging from bow-making and hide-tanning, to herbal medicine and food preservation, to nonviolent communication, healing arts, and environmental remediation. The evenings are filled with music, dancing, drum circles, spoken word, song circles, art and more. We also have a variety of programs for children ages 3 to 18, which are centered around nature connection and learning skills while building beautiful memories in community.
Who We Are
Since 2007, The Firefly Gathering has been convening in the beautiful Appalachian mountains of Western North Carolina, Our organization was founded by and continues to be operated predominantly (but not exclusively) by women committed to shifting the dominant paradigm. We have around eight core staff members, with many more during the event. The Board of Directors is constituted of eight members with a broad range of experiences including Earth skills, nonprofit governance, tribal government, law, and technology.
Click here to meet our Board of Directors.
