Thanks everyone for making the Unconference such a success! The next event is scheduled and waiting for you to register - October 4 again at Laney College.

Here's a brief summary of the May 3 event.

Here's more information about the SF Bay Delta bioregion emerging.

You can join the Bay Delta Hylo

Bay Delta Bioregional Weaving Mailing list

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Co-Creating A Thriving Future for the Bay Area: An Unconference

Join a community-crafted gathering to explore community, resilience, restoration, and regeneration both in the San Francisco Bay & Delta and beyond.

These are days of darkness & possibility, uncertainty & opportunity. We are calling doers and dreamers from all walks of life to join together and create the story of a thriving future for all life, where we live: the Bay Delta Bioregion, and its many beautiful watersheds and communities.

The Question: How do we better collaborate within and across communities and watersheds to co-create a thriving future for all life?

In true unconference fashion, the rest is up to you! Participants will create the agenda. You can propose your own topic and there will be many stimulating sessions to join.

Sessions will cover a wide range of topics, such as local food systems, bioregionalism, land stewardship, social justice, solidarity economy, ecological restoration, regenerative practices, Indigenous leadership, storytelling, solarpunk, the "collapse", and cooperation. Formats will run the gamut from inspiring conversations to somatic exercises to “roll up your sleeves” problem-solving.

This event is for everyone whether you’re professionally involved, active as a volunteer and community member, or curious about how you can contribute.

Don't miss this chance to experience a transformative and joyful day of networking, connecting, sharing, and action-making. We hope this will be the first of many gatherings that grow the movement to re-imagine a world that works for all life. Together, we will create new pathways for regeneration and resilience in the Bay and beyond.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM PDT
Location: Laney College Student Center in Oakland, CA
Tickets: Sliding scale $50-$1000 (includes lunch). Prices increase to $100 minimum on 4/30.
- This event is No One Turned Away For Lack Of Funds. Please reach out if you want to attend but are limited monetarily.
- On the other hand, if you are well-off, please register at a higher price to help others attend. Proceeds will be used to pay for the venue and food. Anything left over will be a stipend for the facilitation team.

Presented in partnership with:

Coordinated by Kaliya Young’s unconference facilitation team featuring ajay tallam.

FAQ

What’s an “unconference”?

This unconference uses Open Space Technology which is a participant-driven gathering where attendees create the agenda on the day of the event rather than following a pre-set agenda. Anyone can propose topics, lead discussions, or move freely between sessions based on their interests and where they can best contribute. The format emphasizes active participation and collaborative learning over traditional presentations, capturing the energy of those valuable "hallway conversations" that happen at conventional conferences.

What is the Event Schedule?

Doors open & socializing with coffee & snacks (9:00 - 9:45 AM)
Opening Circle (9:45 AM)
- Introduction to Bioregionalism (10:00 AM)
- Collaborative Agenda Creation (10:30 AM): Facilitated by Kaliya Young, a long-time Open Space unconference facilitator.
Morning Interactive Sessions (11:30-12:30): Engage in dynamic sessions on a range of topics and formats offered by participants
Lunch Break & socializing (12:30-1:30)
Afternoon Interactive Sessions (1:30 - 4:30) More dynamic sessions on a range of topics and formats offered by participants
Closing Circle (4:30-5:30): Group reflection on the day and sharing of next steps.
Informal Post event socializing on the Ground floor of MadOak Bar. (6p onwards!)

What’s a “bioregion”? And what is “bioregionalism”?

Bioregion is shorthand for ‘bio-cultural region’. Bioregions reflect natural boundaries, such as watersheds, mountain ranges, or ecological zones, rather than abstract political borders.

The concept of bioregion emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life in a place, and promotes the idea that human communities should adapt their lifestyles and practices to align with the specific ecological characteristics of their bioregion.

Bioregionalism is a philosophy that connects people and ideas into place, which work watershed by watershed, in ways that are sustainable, democratic and just.

Why should I attend?

This event offers a unique opportunity to:

Meet and collaborate with individuals, activists, and professionals passionate about creating working on Bioregional ReGeneration in the Bay Area and beyond.
Explore practical solutions for building resilient, regenerative communities in this bioregion.
Be part of a growing movement towards a thriving, regenerative future.

Attendees have shared these potential topics for sessions:

Bioregional Governance & Coordination

Bioregional governance
Bioregional funding models and integrating flow funding
Bioregional coordination tools and collaborative technology
Historical and emergent bioregional efforts including conservation finance in the Amazon headwaters
Decentralized coordination tech and self-hosting
Innovative collaborative processes such as pol.is

Community & Social System

What would a society of belonging look like
Community-building in a time of chaos
Individual and community fasting as a way to generate unity and support
Cooperative community living and tools for living well together
Indigenous leadership and ecosystem stewardship
Partnerships and strategies
Youth involvement

Regenerative Practices

Regeneration of the land as foundation for economic opportunity, food and shelter security
Regenerative manufacturing
Inner biomimicry
Restoring the hydrological cycle through both landscape and micro interventions
Ecological restoration and ecosystem stewardship on small levels like yards or balconies
Water systems

Housing & Urban Planning

Social housing
Poor People's Campaign
Affordable housing choices build the future
Regenerative city planning
Integrating disparate systems: Regenerative nature as infrastructure and creating appreciating municipal assets with immeasurable co-benefits, through the lens of jobs and wealth building for disinvested communities

Narratives & Cultural Transformation

Decolonized impact storytelling
Narrative & supporting storytellers
Solarpunk
Systems change
Bright mirror
Generative AI

Food Systems

Large-scale regenerative agriculture: Holistic Management, Agroforestry, Regrarians Platform
Weston A. Price traditional cooking
Permaculture kitchens
Permaculture for toddlers

Check back - we'll post more as they come in!

I can't make this event - can you let me know about the next event?

Yes! Please leave your information in this form and we will e-mail you when we set our next unconference.

Contact the host of Co-Creating A Thriving Future for the Bay Area: An Unconference