Aurora Forum Workshop: Bioregionalism with Peter Berg

The term bioregionalism was popularized

in the 1970s by California ecologist Raymond

Dasmann and activist Peter Berg. The term refers to

a geographical area defined by natural characteristics,

including watersheds, landforms, soils, native plants

and animals, and weather. It includes human beings

as a species in the interplay of these features, and

promotes an inhabitory attitude by which humans

adapt themselves to the region in an appropriate way.

This workshop will engage participants in a

variety of activities that will awaken bioregional

awareness. These include: 1) map-making for one's

own life-place; 2) tour of a small watershed to

observe wholistic continuities of natural systems

and to contrast native with transformed features;

3) exercises to raise awareness of interplay between

season, natural systems, human responses and

harmonious interactions; and 4) suggestions for

actual volunteer work with ecological restoration and

other sustainability-oriented non-profit projects.

This workshop will meet quarterly for those who want to

seasonal changes.