What is Bioneers?
A New Word.
Founder Kenny Ausubel coined the term Bioneers in 1990 to
describe an emerging culture. Bioneers are social and scientific
innovators from all walks of life and disciplines who have
peered deep into the heart of living systems to understand how
nature operates, and to mimic “nature’s operating instructions”
to serve human ends without harming the web of life. Nature’s
principles—kinship, cooperation, diversity, symbiosis and cycles
of continuous creation absent of waste—can also serve metaphoric
guideposts for organizing an equitable, humane and democratic
society.
A Leading Source of Innovative
Solutions. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization, we share the solutions presented at the Bioneers
Conference and through our programs. Our media productions
leverage this content to reach millions of people around the
nation and the world: our award-winning radio series, Bioneers:
Revolution From the Heart of Nature; book series; television
programs; and our interactive website. We act as a key source
for the media, including third-party films and the press. Our
DVDs, CDs and other educational materials are used by colleges
and schools, and by community organizations to inform and
inspire positive change at the local level.
An Annual Conference.
Every October, we convene brilliant social and scientific
innovators to share breakthrough solutions with more than 10,000
people attending both our main Bioneers Conference in San
Rafael, California, and Beaming Bioneers Satellite conferences
around the country.
A Systemic Framework.
The bioneers are engaged citizens from all walks of life who
focus on solving our world’s most urgent problems within a
framework of interdependence: It’s all connected. Just as the
web of life is intricately interconnected, so too are all
environmental and social issues. Taking care of nature means
taking care of people – and taking care of people means taking
care of nature. We take a “solve-the-whole-problem” approach
that is holistic, systemic, and multidisciplinary.
A Network of Networks.
Bioneers fosters connection, cross-pollination and collaboration
by bringing together diverse people and projects within a
broadly progressive framework. We connect people with solutions
and grow social capital for positive change by linking strategic
networks on the local, regional, national and international
levels.
A Catalyst for Restoration.
Sustainability is the dynamic midpoint between perpetual natural
cycles of destruction and restoration. In this severely damaged
and depleted world, “sustainability” is not enough. We need to
tip the scales toward restoration, regeneration and resilience
to sustain the web of life for future generations.
An Oasis of Hope.
As a celebration of the dazzling genius of people and nature,
Bioneers helps spark mass creativity and engagement. As author
and social entrepreneur Paul Hawken said, “Bioneers is central
to the re-imagination of what it means to be human.”
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