An Introduction to Bioregionalism
Bioregional Trends in the CRVB
Bioregional Vision for the CRVB
“Bioregionalism offers the best hope we have for creating an interdependent web of self-reliant, sustainable cultures.” -Doug Aberly
A bioregion is a geographical area that is defined by its natural features as opposed to human constructed political boundaries. The concept of a bioregion was conceived by Peter Berg and Larry Dasmann in the 70s, referring to "both a geographical terrain and a terrain of consciousness." The first published definition of a bioregion is,
"Geographic areas having common characteristics of soil, watershed, climate, native plants and animals that exist within the whole planetary biosphere as unique and contributive parts...The final boundaries of a bioregion, however, are best described by the people who have lived within it, through human recognition of the realities of living in place...there is a distinctive resonance among living things and the factors that influence them which occurs specifically within each separate part of the planet." -Peter Berg
Why Bioregionalism
Just what we need, another "ism" right? Bioregionalism offers a way of taking a step back and looking at local groups and community-level organizing to see how they all fit together in the larger framework of creating more sustainable communities and lifestyles. The bioregional perspective allows us to take a comprehensive look at watershed, soil, native vegetation and restoration, etc. and how these natural characteristics affected culture and community. These elements are highly interrelated and bioregionalism provides a framework for studying their interconnections. Too often we have separate organizations looking at the ecology, science, and not combining it with the humanities, community, culture, etc. (By incorporating an understanding of natural features (watershed, soil, native species, climate, etc.), and local/cultural knowledge, bioregionalism is a way of defining and understanding a sense of place and learning how to live locally and sustainably in place.)
Bioregionalism advocates community sustainable living, believing that is an inevitable shift to ensure the future of humanity. As David Aberly writes, “Bioregionalism offers the best hope we have for creating an interdependent web of self-reliant, sustainable cultures.” To be a part of a bioregion is to inhabit a living community that is located in place. Bioregionalism might also be described as in Wes Jackson's words, "Becoming native to Place." In the Cannon River Bioregion, we need a grass roots doctrine of social and community-based activism. This is the heart of bioregional thought.
If advocates of bioregionalism like David Aberly are correct, we should start imagining how the Cannon River Bioregion might operate according to such a paradigm for living. In this research project I will examine the concepts of bioregionalism applied to the Cannon River Valley region. I will look at examples of local bioregional initiatives such as Just Foods, ReNew Northfield, the Cannon River Watershed Project, etc. As Judith Plant suggests, "naming of something that is already going on is the power of bioregionalism" So even though these organizations are not labeled specifically as “bioregional,” they have bioregional characteristics and connections that I explore in this project.
Re-inhabiting : A Sense of Place
The heart of bioregionalism is to cultivate a sense of place. The idea is founded in locating ourselves within a bioregion, defined by the natural features of the land. Humans are affected by the places we live in. As inhabitants we must learn how to live sustainably which begins with an understanding of place. This is the work of re-inhabitation. To be part of a bioregion is to inhabit a living community that is located in place. The work of re-inhabitation involves communities rooted in place and extending our conception of community to include all living things in our bioregion. In this sense, bioregional thinking is clearly closely related to ecological sustainability.