Measuring, Monitoring and Mapping: Tools for Bioregioning

Join us for a discussion about different approaches to mapping, measuring and monitoring our bioregions.

Bioregioning depends on seeing a region as a living, interconnected and interdependent system, and the tools we use to share information and refine our work can play an important role in supporting these systems. In this webinar, we'll discuss how maps and other visual information tools help us share ecological, economic and cultural knowledge; how they can help us tell stories and build a shared understanding about our boundaries, priorities and relationships. We'll also discuss how the often 'dry' world of measuring and monitoring enable us to build foundational knowledge and track our progress towards our goals, including ecological restoration, community building and systems change.

Our speakers will share their insights and practice from the UK, New Zealand and Australia, and invite participants to share the tools and approaches they're using in their bioregioning work.

ABOUT BIOREGIONING

Bioregioning is a Western word for an ancient concept. Bioregioning or ‘bioregionalism’ sees human societies and culture as part of nature, and proposes that modern human societies can be more sustainable, successful and meaningful, if our political, cultural and economic systems are organised within natural boundaries such as bioregions and catchments (watersheds). While First Nations Peoples have practiced bioregional and biocultural governance for millennia, many modern industrialised societies are only now rediscovering and experimenting with bioregioning, and learning how nature can be a guide for sustainable human societies.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

ISABEL CARLISLE

Isabel is founder and director of the Bioregional Learning Centre in Devon, UK. Isabel is a communicator, educator and large-scale project organiser. Her experience in the London art world (where her work included writing as an art critic for The Times and curating exhibitions at the Royal Academy) led her to set up and direct the Festival of Muslim Cultures that took place across Britain throughout 2006. Isabel moved to South Devon in 2010 and created and led learning programmes for children and young adults with Transition Network. Since 2012 she has trained in Regenerative Development and Design with Regenesis and teaches about bioregioning and systems change.

NICK PALING

Dr Nick Paling is an environmental scientist and systems practitioner with a deep commitment to protecting and regenerating the natural world. His journey began in molecular biology and immunology before shifting towards wildlife conservation and understanding ecosystems at landscape scale. Over the last two decades, he has worked across academia, government, NGOs and utilities, leading teams and programmes that bridge science, policy and practice. Today, Nick co-leads the Bioregional Learning Centre, where he focuses on using data and governance to help our bioregion adapt and thrive. He believes in the power of collaborative approaches, bringing together civil society, policymakers and experts to co-create solutions that are grounded in place and community.

TAMARA OBVECIC

Tamara Obradovic is a landscape architect and urban designer with over 20 years of experience, working across urban regeneration, precinct scale masterplanning and public realm design. She works with communities, government organisations, research institutions and businesses to curate multi-disciplinary collaboration towards creating integrated regenerative design solutions which catalyse social and environmental change on a local and bio-regional scale. Her work as part of the team co-designing the Puhinui Regeneration Strategy in Aotearoa NZ shifted her focus towards bio-regional scale regeneration strategies underpinned by Indigenous world views as a way of tackling immediate and pressing societal and environmental challenges.

ABOUT OUR HOST

Dr Michelle Maloney is the National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA), and an advocate for ecocentric and bioregional governance. Michelle holds a PhD in law from Griffith University and creates and manages a range of multi-disciplinary and transdisciplinary programs within AELA. To read about Michelle's international affiliations, teaching, publications and other programs please visit: www.michellemaloney.au

ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN EARTH LAWS ALLIANCE (AELA)

AELA is a not-for-profit organisation working to increase the understanding and practical implementation of Earth-centred (ecocentric) governance, with a focus on systems change across law, economics, education, ethics and community participation in Australia. AELA's vision is an Australian society that embraces an ecocentric or ‘life-centred’ culture, with governance systems that enable human communities to thrive within ecological boundaries, while nurturing biodiversity and ecosystem health. AELA's work includes education programs and project support for people, communities and organisations working to create ecocentric and bioregional systems change.

For more information, visit our website: www.earthlaws.org.au
or email us anytime: aela@earthlaws.org.au