Bioregionalism
Oak and Orca School provides a model of bioregionalism within the modern world. Named after a tree and animal in its bioregion, the school strives to connect students, their families and the community at large with the place they live. Bioregionalism is woven into the educational approach, policies and procedures, land use, and organizational infrastructure at Oak and Orca.
What is bioregionalism?
Bioregionalism celebrates local ecology, community and culture.
Bioregionalism is the practice of intimately exploring, knowing and caring for the natural and human communities within a region defined by nature, our bioregion. As “bioregion” literally means territory of life, the goal is to define and connect with a place based on its life-forms. This is achieved by appreciating the ecology, history, culture, and cycles of the seasons where we live.
Local Connections
Some local issues that bioregionalism may encompass or connect with include:
- food security
- habitat restoration and protection
- forging positive relationships with indigenous people
- protecting our watershed
- maintaining a vibrant local economy
- housing for all
- alternative energy
- fair trade
- reducing carbon emissions
Target Audience
The Bioregional Fair is an open community event for everyone interested in nature, community or choice-based learning.
Community and local culture is a vital part of bioregionalism, so you don't need to be interested in habitat restoration or protecting the watershed to find yourself amongst friends and like-minded people. The goal of the Bioregional Fair is to provide an environment for people to have fun and be exposed to concepts and ideas of their choosing through our workshops, displays, etc. Community-building, a variety of workshops and demonstrations and a celebratory atmosphere also make the Bioregional Fair an opportunity for people to gather and have fun whether they are connected with the school or not.
More about Bioregionalism
There are many excellent resources about bioregionalism - especially in your backyard.
There are books aplenty on topics ranging from gardening with native plants, primitive skills and building cob houses to climate change, developing local economies and international development. All are good and could be considered covering aspects of bioregionalism. The same can be said about websites and media resources.
Specific resources about bioregionalism include Dwellers of the Land: The Bioregional Vision, Home: a Bioregional Reader, Perspectives on Bioregional Education, and The New Catalyst of Bioregional Series such as Turtle Talk and Putting Power in its Place. Many of these texts are out of print and so take some more effort to obtain.
Don't underestimate the importance of becoming educated with what is in your immediate vicinity as well as what you are personally interested in. Several great community organizations target aspects of bioregionalism, such as Friends of (Summit Park, Mount Doug) Societies, Garry Oak Eco-stystem Recovery Team, Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group, BC Sustainable Energy Association, and many more. Find something that motivates or inspires you and go from there!
