Published October 14, 2009 02:23PM
Bioneers Are Coming
A conference committed to visionary and practical solutions for restoring the Earth kicks off in California, beaming to sites across the country
It’s been said by many that it’s impossible to attend a Bioneers conference and not leave inspired, and on Friday, the annual Bioneers conference commences in San Rafael, CA, and at 20 satellite sites around the country.
But what exactly is a Bioneer?
More than just science/eco-pioneers, Bioneers are a people, a gathering, a way of approaching each other and the planet. They inspire a “shift to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other and future generations.” For the last two decades, Bioneers have created a network of social and scientific innovators committed to the preservation of the planet and her people and seek out solutions to pressing environmental and social problems by mimicking what works historically in the natural world. And you can join the movement.
Right now, that movement is shifting: The state of the planet remains a dire concern, but there’s more. Bioneers will also address sustainability issues with our planet, our economies, and ourselves as a socially responsible people. It’s about community, justice, possibility and hope.
ADVERTISEMENT
This year’s Bioneers conference hosts numerous speakers, including journalist Michael Pollan speaking on food and farming, Jerome Ringo addressing environmental and social justice, and Joanna Macy advocating for a separation from a dependency on the “industrial growth society.” These plenary members and many others will speak in San Rafael; meanwhile, the 20 beaming sites will show live casts of their presentations. Afterwards, the conference and beaming sites will host workshops, sessions, field trips, green living marketplaces, performances, art, and networking opportunities that apply to each local community involved.
I will attend all three days of the conference here in Boulder. Those unable to attend can check out our forthcoming Bioneers-inspired posts in the Green Scene, where I’ll cover ideas, trends, and events from the conference.
To learn more about Bioneers and for a list of beaming sites, check out the Bioneers site. And if you plan to attend Bioneers, please share your experience with us here on BACKPACKER.com.
––Jessie Lucier