Bioregionalism & Regional Organizing: Frameworks & Connections

This session is designed to foster connections between local groups in geographic proximity and to support the development of regional collaboratives across the country. The event will begin with presentations on various perspectives on bioregionalism and regional organizing, including updates on the evolving regional organizing strategies of Transition US and our partner organization the New Economy Coalition, followed by regional & bioregional breakout group discussions.

Participants can join one of the proposed regional groups listed below, or initiate their own regional/bioregional discussion via our Mighty Networks social networking platform (you will receive an invitation to Mighty Networks after registering for the Summit).  At the end of the session, participants will come back together as a large group to share their vision, needs, and next steps. Come prepared to connect with other local groups from your part of the country and think strategically about how to catalyze and support the movement for regenerative, just and resilient communities in your region!

Please note, the regions listed below are suggestions based on a number of factors including existing organizing, population density, ecological and political boundaries, culture, climate, and more. We welcome you and your local group members to participate in one or more of these regional groups based on what feels most appropriate to you. You can also propose your own region via our Mighty Networks social networking platform (you will receive an invitation to Mighty Networks after registering for the Summit). 

Transition US upholds the Transition principle of local subsidiarity, and we recognize that ultimately it is up to local groups to determine and develop regional hubs based on local needs and defining characteristics.

Proposed Regional Breakout Groups (subject to change & evolution):

1. West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, British Columbia)
2. Southwest (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, West Texas, Mexico)
3. Mountain West (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho) & Great Plains (North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Saskatchewan, Alberta)
4. Southeast & Deep South (North & South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Eastern Texas)
5. Great Lakes & Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, parts of Pennsylvania, Ontario, Winnipeg)
6. Mid-Atlantic (Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York)
7. New England (Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, Quebec)

Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Eli Feghali immigrated to the United States with his parents to escape the civil war. For the past 8 years at New Economy Coalition, Eli has directed its communications programs, served on the staff leadership team, and co-edited a book project called Beautiful Solutions. Before joining NEC, Eli organized in Tennessee for the migrant justice movement, then on the streets of Boston during the Occupy Wall Street uprising. It was on those streets where he first chanted “another world is possible,” and was introduced to cooperatives and the solidarity economy. Through NEC and Beautiful Solutions, Eli works to tell the story of what another world could look like – and how we get there. Eli is also Co-Chair of the Board of YES! Magazine. He lives with his life partner Rachel in Cambridge, MA.

Marissa Mommaerts is an activist, organizer, grower, maker, entrepreneur & mother. After a brief career in international sustainable development policy, Marissa left Washington DC and began searching for systemic approaches to healing our ecological, economic, social and political systems – and that’s when she found Transition. She joined the Transition US team in 2013 and has served in various roles supporting all aspects of the organization.  Marissa lives in rural Western Colorado, where she and her partner co-founded Gabriel’s Garden, a regenerative family farm business specializing in handcrafted hemp and herbal wellness products. Marissa has a Master’s degree in International Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

With a background in community organizing, nonprofit fundraising, and environmental activism (formerly with Greenpeace USA), Jessica Alvarez Parfrey finds joy in seeking transformative opportunities for radical collaboration and community co-creation. Jessica is mother to a 7 year old powerhouse, founder and volunteer facilitator for the Eco Vista Transition Initiative, Fellow with Cooperation Santa Barbara, and currently serving as the President of the Isla Vista Community Development Corporation. She received her B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara , and is driven to nurture opportunities for meaningful dialogue, community-based strategy, and design informed by decolonized practice and methodologies.

John Foran is a Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and teaches courses on climate change and climate justice, activism and movements for radical social change, and issues of development and globalization beyond capitalism. In addition to the founding of the Eco Vista Project, John also serves as a co-coordinator of the UC-CSU Climate Education Digital Platform and Knowledge Action Network, which is creating a website repository of materials for college-level educators to enhance their teaching repertoires in the areas of the climate crisis, climate justice, and critical sustainability studies.

This session is being offered as part of the 2021 Regenerative Communities Summit. Please click here to learn more and register using our pay-what-you-can donation-based system to participate.

REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT!