Methodology
Bioregional Trends in the CRVB
Bioregional Vision for the CRVB
Methodology
I approach this project from several methods. One is an analysis of secondary sources on bioregional literature to create a framework of understanding this concept in my project. I begin with a brief introduction to the concept of bioregionalism, including a review of bioregional literature. My research also involves information gathering from local sources, organizations and direct observations of our bioregion. I analyze different maps that suggest boundaries based on geographical features to offer a sense of how to define the Cannon River Valley Bioregion.
To gather information on bioregional trends, I had informal interviews (conversations I prefer to call them) with local citizens involved in grass-roots organizations in the area. I spoke with Bruce Anderson, the president of ReNew Northfield, Jenny Howenstein, founding team member of the Just Food Coop, in addition to communications via email with Phil Stolzfus, co-chair of the Center for Sustainable Living, and Gordon Cummings, executive director of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership. I also am gathering information from the organizations websites and other essays and projects that I have accessed online relating to aspects of the Cannon River Valley Bioregion and organizations within this geographical area.
Through this research I apply the concepts of bioregionalism to a localized case study, the Cannon River Valley. In this case study I examine bioregional trends and initiatives of this region such as Just Foods, ReNew Northfield, Center for Sustainable Living, The Cannon River Watershed Partnership and other restoration projects. Finally I conclude with an imaginative vision for living sustainably within our local bioregion.
The framework of this project came together as I began to focus on specific bioregional trends. Initially, I found that there were too many examples I wanted to incorporate, illustrating how interconnected bioregionalism is, and how understanding these interconnections create a comprehensive view of the Cannon River Valley Bioregion. The need to limit this project led me to focus mainly on the three goals of bioregionalism and examples of restoration, The Just-Food Co-op, and ReNew Northfield. I was surprised as I gathered more information on them, how well they fit together and how this allowed me to re-organize the layout of my project.