I write EcoCarols, that is, set ecological words, phrases and themes to well known (and out of copyright) Christmas Carol tunes using the spirit engendered by the Christmas period and the feelings of goodwill associated with Christmas Carols to interest people in harmonising with our beautiful planet and our fellow creatures. I'm particularly interested in having people write their own EcoCarols, songs and hymns, and to share them with not only me, but their friends and others as well.  Below are endorsements from a variety of people, and the progress of my EcoCarols project thus far. Below are two EcoCarols recorded by my friend Julia Pattison, accompanied on guitar by her husband Roger.

Below is a video of a young friend of ours, Daniel Macalpine, on a litter pick, to background extracts from my EcoCarols, sung by Julia.

ECOCAROL ENDORSEMENTS

‘Love the ambition level.  Trees of Wonder works particularly well…’   Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future.  And former Director of Friends of the Earth.
‘The carols are fab…‘I love the 'We Three Kings'…it scans so well.  It certainly is a very unique way of getting the eco message across’. Michaela Strachan, Presenter Springwatch and AutumnWatch.

‘They are really interesting, and important, and fun!  I particularly like “The Mountain and the Ocean”!’   Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury, former Chairman of the Environment Agency.

‘They are a great way to join ecology and spirituality..’  Jenny Jones, Green Party member of London Assembly (now Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb).

‘I so enjoyed singing them to myself! Full of important resonance and also often fun.’ Benedict Allen, TV Presenter and Wilderness Explorer.

'These carols are clearly a brilliant way of educating people about the importance of respecting and enjoying our environment, through an interesting and unique tool!’  Keith Taylor,  Green Member of European Parliament for South East England.

‘At a time of year with so much waste and consumerism these EcoCarols are a great way of reminding people about the environment and raising ecological consciousness.’ Darren Johnson, Green Party member of London Assembly.

‘EcoCarols is a most creative, engaging, inspiring, and hopeful exploration of a neglected dimension of spiritual ecology. Awesome!’  Dr. Leslie E. Sponsel, author ‘Spiritual Ecology: A Quiet Revolution’.

‘Ann Palmer's EcoCarols are wonderful reminders for everyone about the fascinating animals who, and diverse and majestic landscapes which, bless our magnificent planet. In our increasingly human-dominated world. they surely will help people rewild their hearts and spirits, to reconnect and become re-enchanted with our animal kin and their homes, and this personal and heartfelt transformation surely will foster peaceful coexistence, freedom, and justice for all.’ -- Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., University of Colorado, author of  ‘Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence’ and ‘Born Free? Compassion for Animals in the Anthropocene’ (with Jessica Pierce, Forthcoming, 2017).

‘The EcoCarols are inspiring and deeply aware. Singing them opens the heart and tunes everyone into the beauty of nature and universe.  Thank you for your beautiful and sensitive approach.’ William Bloom, one of Britain’s leading authors and educators in modern spirituality and a holistic approach to individual and community wellbeing, initiator of the  course ‘Practical Spirituality and Wellness’.

‘As nature opens and moves our hearts, so does music. Combining celebration and care for the earth with traditional, beloved melodies is a splendid idea.’ Roger S. Gottlieb, author of ‘A Greener Faith: Religious Environmentalism.’ and ‘Engaging Voices: Tales of Morality and Meaning in an Age of Global Warming.’
 
‘’Seeds of Peace’ strikes a chord so to speak, as I have often thought of the irony of that particular carol being so beautiful in its musical portrayal of a town that seem to be in the center of one of the world's greatest conflict flashpoints.’  Greg Artzner and Terry Leonimo (Magpie).
 
‘‘Look Out My Window’ really touches the soul…’ Julia Pattison, teacher and writer.
 
‘‘I Look Out My Window’ touched me beyond words, so beautifully sung and so heartfelt in its message’. Diana Wimbs, former Chair of The Writers Summer School. 
 
‘The words are lovely and so sensitive.’   Christine Walkden, BBC Gardening presenter, about the Gardeners EcoCarol.
 
‘I’m very impressed with the lyrics.’  Kenny Lindsay, Gaelic translator.
 
‘I have enjoyed reading and singing these. They sang very well at Holy Rood House at the summer school.’  Rev Dr June Boyce-Tillman, M.B.E. Professor of Applied Music, Convenor of the Centre for the Arts as Well-being, Winchester University.

EcoCarols Fact Sheet
 
EcoCarols consist of ecological words put to well-loved Christmas carol tunes.
The 15 EcoCarols I have written are:-
 
1   Seeds Of Peace (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
2   Northern Lights (Silent Night)
3   Give Us The Freedom (O Come All Ye Faithful)
4   When Looking At The Earth (While Shepherds Watched)
5   If There Is One Great Thing (In The Bleak Mid-Winter)
6   I Look Out My Window (Away In A Manger)
7   Gifted To Us For A Lifetime (Once In Royal David's City)
8   Children Of The World (Good King Wenceslas)
9   Me! I Champion Planet Earth (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)
10 O Kin Of Ours, All Animals (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel)
11 People Of Pre-History's Lineage (Angels From The Realms Of Glory)
12 The Mountain And The Ocean (The Holly And The Ivy)
13 Birdsong (The First Nowell)
14 The Gardener's EcoCarol (It Came Upon A Midnight Clear)
15 Trees Of Earth (We Three Kings) 

Educational
 
Green Teacher, a Canadian magazine aimed at environmental educators, with a circulation of over 15,000 throughout the English speaking world,  published a 3,000 word article showing children how to write their own EcoCarols.   http://greenteacher.com/green-teacher-105-winter-issue/  Password wsbxp.
 
EcoCarols have been translated into Scottish Gaelic and will be considered for incorporation into the Gaelic educational publishing programme for 2018.
 
EcoCarols are being introduced into New Zealand's Enviroschools in May, 2016.
 
International Teacher Magazine published a 700 word article EcoCarols: The Story of a project for its Christmas 2015 edition.
 
Education Review (an Australian publication) published The EcoCarols Story (1,500 words) for its Christmas 2015 edition.
 
Global Education Magazine, published a paper EcoCarols: Addressing the curse of limited brain-use (4,500 words) for its December 2015 edition.  Global Education Magazine (which publishes in 9 different languages) is closely associated with UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) and many of its articles are held in the UNESCO online database.  Its international value has been recognized by different UNESCO directors and Nobel Peace Award winners.

An interfaith summer school attached to Winchester University performed the EcoCarols in July 2015.
 
EcoCarols included on websites
 
Permaculture Magazine Christmas 2014 edition.
www.permaculture.co.uk/readers-solutions/eco-christmas-carols. 
 
VIVA – Vegetarians Voice for Animals www.viva-org.uk/christmas/eco-carols.php
 
The Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW) http://www.ccanw.com
attached to Exeter University featured EcoCarols in its exhibition Christmas/New Year 2014-15.
 
3 ebooks published on Amazon for Kindle
 
‘Complementary Spirituality and EcoCarols: Ways of Harmony' by Gaia Dance.
 
'Mindful Songs at Christmas' by Gaia Dance.
 
‘All Year EcoCarols’ by Gaia Dance