A retreat series that brings together artists and environmentalists to share ideas, let their minds wander, and build the future we need.

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The North Coast Project retreats provide lodging in a beautiful natural landscape where environmentalists and artists have space to use however they choose. We hold retreats in Northern California, coastal Oregon, and upstate New York.

Meals are provided. Free time and space is supported. Conversation encouraged.

We know that by putting the right people in the right conditions, we will be incubating the world we want, a world that holds art as a core value and knows that environmentalism should underpin everything we do.

By fostering an environment that supports creative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration, The North Coast Project hopes to support the sort of innovative work necessary to build the future we need.

Thank you for the beautiful, and necessary respite—for time to reflect, rest, restore, and refocus. And congrats to you for launching this incredible and compassionate endeavor for all activists, advocates, artists, humans to continue their work creating a better and more sustainable future. Can not wait to come back!

Yana Garcia, California Secretary for Environmental Protection
I saw so many tiny faraway birds, had so many stirring conversations with the amazing folks here, and was able to power through this essay at last. I'm so excited to see the project grow and expand and I'm deeply moved by the generosity of your vision.

Sabrina Imbler, author of How Far the Light Reaches
Thank you for the gifts of time, space, and nourishment. The North Coast Project is a special oasis.

Avery Trufelman, host of Articles of Interest
What an incredible experience! Thank you so much for introducing me to the practice of radical hospitality. It has been such a revelation and I hope to carry it forward in my own life. Thank you for the space (a room of one's own), time, access to the natural world and the introduction to a group of truly inspiring people. I will cherish this memory forever!

Nancy Matsumoto, James Beard Award-winning author
It was a great experience and I truly felt cared for. I think of the 48 hours as a gift. The meals were awesome and the planning and care that went towards making us feel at ease was so appreciated. I noticed all the small details. I often think my pottery or art is not important enough when compared to folks who are actively addressing climate change. But the other participants were absolutely lovely and it was nice to be with others that do different things and see/hear about their approach. I came away with more grace and positivity to myself, my work and how I spend my time.

Julie Cloutier, artist
Thank you SO MUCH for the extraordinary hosting and space you created for reflection, inspiration, and creation. I’m so grateful to be with the redwoods and write a first draft of a piece that’s been in my head for too long! I’m so excited for your vision to come to life and look forward to supporting however I can.

Serena Bian, writer and Special Advisor to the Surgeon General of the United States
What a gift this weekend was. I don't know that I've ever seen radical hospitality in practice—I felt so cared for. I wish I could express how radical it was for me to not have to think about what to make for dinner! I just keep thinking time and space that's all anyone needs, time and space. I am so grateful to be in community with you.

Christie George, writer
North Coast Project is a much needed reminder that it isn’t just the absence of stress but the presence of camaraderie that feeds the soul.

Rahawa Haile, writer
I can’t adequately describe how meaningful this retreat was for me.

Lydia Kiesling, author of The Golden State and Mobility
I’ll never forget the amazing folks I’ve met, this lovely home, and the rolodex memories I’ve made to memorialize this time.

Bethel Habte, radio journalist and founder of Good Bones
This weekend has restored my addled mind and re-immersed me in my project just when I needed it most. An experience of such beautiful care.

Nadia Ellis, scholar and author of Territories of the Soul: Queered Belonging in the Black Diaspora
Who would have thought that three days could yield such a full, rich experience, could enable a community to form, allow for true relaxation and restoration, AND give the time and space to do some real creative work? Amazing.

Will Clift, sculptor
Everything was so considered, from the space to the activities to the delicious food. Cannot tell you how excellent this has been. Turned me around.

Chris Colin, journalist
A perfect balance of rest and work, community and introspection, fun and reflections, learning and sharing. In the great collective effort that caring and healing the environment requires, this key important work: caring for others.

Daniela Teran, environmental activist and designer
This retreat was restorative in so many ways, but mostly for the sheer fact of its existence!

Chris Ying, writer and cofounder of Lucky Peach
Having these few days here reminds me that time can be generative, connections can be made in an instant, care and joy can be fully shared in ways that create new sparks and make us unstuck.

Gigi Owen, environmental scholar and artist
The North Coast Project is a gift–such simple acts in a time when these things can feel out of reach. I leave here feeling buoyant and restored and will carry this experience with me for a long time.

Rachel Herring, environmental scholar
I wrote more than I have in months, ate better, laughed harder than I ever could have imagined.

Emily Polk, environmental scholar
Never have I felt so cared for: here is a beautiful space, here is time, delicious healthy food, nice people (but not too many), great conversations (but not too many), here is a place to rest. My anxiety slipped away and creativity flowed.

Corey Hajim, writer
This has been the most magical weekend–magical in such simple things: quiet, space, companionship, food, the trees. I’m so grateful for how these gifts calmed, opened, awoke my mind.

Jaime Green, author of The Possibility of Life and editor of The Best American Science and Nature Writing
To know that there are people willing to create a space like this in this time is giving huge big picture hope.

Bethany Davis Noll, Executive Director of the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at the NYU School of Law
What delighted me the most was how effortlessly you convened the most interesting and thoughtful people–true creatives, people I loved talking to and learning from, inspiring and wonderfully connective people!

Danielle Henderson, author of The Ugly Cry

FAQs

Michelle Quint is an editor who has spent the past twenty years supporting artists and writers. She oversees the books program at McSweeney’s.
Leo Beckerman is the CEO of Zero Foodprint, a non-profit that works with chefs, farmers, scientists, and regional governments to work to change the food system from the ground up. He is the founder of Wise Sons Jewish Deli.
Banban Cheng is a writer and filmmaker. As a Creative Director, they work with scientists, artists, business leaders, activists, and scholars to help make their ideas accessible and engaging.
Roxanne Hai Lash is the Director of the TED Audio Collective. She has decades of experience producing large scale, international events, including Mission Blue. Work she has developed and produced has been viewed and listened to over one billion times.
This is a space for artists and environmentalists (and we define those terms very broadly). If you would benefit from a retreat, please consider applying.
Days are free to use your time however you like, we ask that you come together for dinners. We also offer optional programming: art classes, hikes, short film screenings.
There is no cost to apply or attend. We ask that you make your own way to the retreat.

DONATE

A retreat series that brings together artists and environmentalists to share ideas, let their minds wander, and build the future we need.

The North Coast Project retreats provide lodging in a beautiful natural landscape where environmentalists and artists have space to use however they choose. We hold retreats in Northern California, coastal Oregon, and upstate New York.

Meals are provided. Free time and space is supported. Conversation encouraged.

We know that by putting the right people in the right conditions, we will be incubating the world we want, a world that holds art as a core value and knows that environmentalism should underpin everything we do.

By fostering an environment that supports creative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration, The North Coast Project hopes to support the sort of innovative work necessary to build the future we need.

I saw so many tiny faraway birds, had so many stirring conversations with the amazing folks here, and was able to power through this essay at last. I'm so excited to see the project grow and expand and I'm deeply moved by the generosity of your vision.

Thank you for the gifts of time, space, and nourishment. The North Coast Project is a special oasis.

North Coast Project is a much needed reminder that it isn’t just the absence of stress but the presence of camaraderie that feeds the soul.

I can’t adequately describe how meaningful this retreat was for me.

I’ll never forget the amazing folks I’ve met, this lovely home, and the rolodex memories I’ve made to memorialize this time.

This weekend has restored my addled mind and re-immersed me in my project just when I needed it most. An experience of such beautiful care.

Who would have thought that three days could yield such a full, rich experience, could enable a community to form, allow for true relaxation and restoration, AND give the time and space to do some real creative work? Amazing.

Everything was so considered, from the space to the activities to the delicious food. Cannot tell you how excellent this has been. Turned me around.

A perfect balance of rest and work, community and introspection, fun and reflections, learning and sharing. In the great collective effort that caring and healing the environment requires, this key important work: caring for others.

This retreat was restorative in so many ways, but mostly for the sheer fact of its existence!

Having these few days here reminds me that time can be generative, connections can be made in an instant, care and joy can be fully shared in ways that create new sparks and make us unstuck.

The North Coast Project is a gift–such simple acts in a time when these things can feel out of reach. I leave here feeling buoyant and restored and will carry this experience with me for a long time.

I wrote more than I have in months, ate better, laughed harder than I ever could have imagined.

Never have I felt so cared for: here is a beautiful space, here is time, delicious healthy food, nice people (but not too many), great conversations (but not too many), here is a place to rest. My anxiety slipped away and creativity flowed.

This has been the most magical weekend–magical in such simple things: quiet, space, companionship, food, the trees. I’m so grateful for how these gifts calmed, opened, awoke my mind.

To know that there are people willing to create a space like this in this time is giving huge big picture hope.

What delighted me the most was how effortlessly you convened the most interesting and thoughtful people–true creatives, people I loved talking to and learning from, inspiring and wonderfully connective people!

FAQs

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Who is this retreat for?

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Contact us: hello@northcoastproject.com