Circle of Life was founded in 1999 by julia butterfly hill and a group of forest activists in Humboldt County, California. For its first 10 years, Circle of Life operated and produced cutting-edge speaking tours, eco friendly events, classroom visits, workshops, training programs and much more, all with the goal of teaching people how to live more compassionately and with a lighter footprint on the earth.

In the late 2000s, Circle of Life began supporting and incubating grassroots projects, some of which remain fiscally-sponsored projects of Circle of Life, and some have spun off to become successful nonprofit organizations. 

Circle of Life continues to be a platform for the message of julia butterfly hill and Luna tree sit, including serving as a home for julia’s current activism and artistic endeavors.