From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
"Bioneers"
(root: "biological pioneers") is a
term coined by filmmaker, author
and eco-activist
Kenny Ausubel to describe very
diverse individuals and groups
working in a broad array of fields
who (initially often unbeknownst
to each other) generate creative
solutions to our
environmental and
socio-cultural crises rooted in a
few shared values, including:
holistic (or "whole
systems") thinking; a
recognition of all life's
interdependence; and mutual aid.
In many cases the technological or
social solutions to problems these
"practical visionaries" propose
are founded on a deep respect for
and sophisticated emulation of
nature's own
self-organizing systems
(rather than linear,
reductionistic attempts to
dominate and subjugate the natural
world).
Ausubel founded an annual
conference of the same name, which
currently takes place in
San Rafael, California, the
third weekend in October, to
highlight the work of these
figures and to help support,
nurture and propagate their ideas
and models. It has, over the
course of the last 15 years
become, arguably, the nation's
leading (and certainly its most
diverse,
cross-cultural and
cross-disciplinary)
independent
eco-conclave, bringing
together some of the most
accomplished doers and thinkers
from a wide range of fields:
environmental and socio-political
activism; "green"
biology,
chemistry, design,
architecture and
urban planning; organic and
"beyond organic" farming and
gardening; indigenous
perspectives;
biodiversity and
wildland preservation;
alternative energy; engaged
spirituality, literature and the
arts; holistic and "ecological"
medicine;
ethno-botany;
socially-responsible
entrepreneurship, business and
philanthropy; the environmental
justice, women's and youth
movements;
independent media; etc.
Finally "Bioneers" is also the
name of the Northern
New Mexico-based non-profit
organization that was originally
created to produce the annual
event, but whose activities have
expanded far beyond that to
include a much wider (and steadily
growing) array of projects,
including: hands-on trainings in
various aspects of organic
agriculture, the building of a
membership base, books, radio
series, audio-tapes and DVDs,
newsletters, reports, live
satellite feeds of the conference
to many locales, spin-off events
around the country and
internationally; film festivals;
special youth organizing
initiatives; etc, etc.
Bioneers is a trademark
of the Collective Heritage
Institute.
