We became Bioneers in 1998 when we attended the national Bioneers Conference in San Francisco, an event which had a significant part in inspiring us to create Stillwaters Environmental Center. So the Bioneers organization has always held a fond place in our hearts and our history.
Bioneers is an international organization that began in 1990, with the goal to inspire in everyone the will for a shift in the way that we live on Earth – particularly to inspire living that honors the web of life, honors our fellow humans, and provides for future generations. Bioneers promotes very practical environmental solutions and innovative strategies in communities, healing both Earth and our human connections.
In their national conferences and in their other programming, they connect the dots in our organizations – bringing together the movements for the environment, health, justice and spirituality. It is this holistic approach that we find irresistible and sustaining to us. What we have found over the years since that first conference is that many people in this area seem to agree.
One of the ways Bioneers has grown is to spread the conference out with simultaneous conferences in 18 cities across the U.S. (including Seattle), where satellite feeds project the keynote speakers from California. When we attended in 1998, there were about 1500 people there in California; in 2008, the conferences reached 11,500 people.
So can you be a “Bioneer”? Although the conference is truly wonderful and inspiring, and the organization is excellent, joining it is not required to be a Bioneer. You are a Bioneer every time you do something pioneering for our “biology” – every time you stick out your neck or try something new on behalf of Earth.
Want to know more? You may already know exactly what I’m talking about, because you are already open to learning new ways to live on Earth every day. We are certainly trying out different ways of cooperative functioning here in Kingston! Or you may think we’re slightly wacky – if you do, thanks for reading this far.
Either way, you’ll appreciate the wonderful Bioneers speakers that will inspire you to think creatively and try new ways to live with your fellow humans in our community, as well as trying new ways to walk a little more lightly on Earth. Check out the “Global Shift” discussion series every Thursday night at Stillwaters, starting May 14, to hear some amazingly good environmental leaders.
Are you inspired enough, but want some practical ideas to make changes in your life? Come to EcoFest on May 2 to learn from over 50 community organizations, green businesses, and agencies about what you can do.
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein.
Get creative – become a Bioneer.
If you would like to join with others who are exploring sustainability issues, please join a Sustainability Discussion Class at Stillwaters. For more information, contact Joleen Palmer at 360-297-2876 or Joleen@Stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org.
