AELA's Bioregional Governance program aims to show how 'bioregioning' and bioregional governance offers important pathways to create Earth-centred societies.
'Bioregioning' is a Western term that urges us to see human societies and culture as part of nature, and proposes that modern human societies can be more sustainable, successful and meaningful, if our governance, political, cultural and economic systems are organised within natural boundaries such as bioregions and catchments (watersheds). The practice of bioregional governance is ancient. First Nations' Peoples around the world often developed complex bio-cultural societies that lived in harmony with non-human nature, and used the living world as a guide to inform how human societies could be safe, secure and successful.
AELA's community programs support community groups who wish to build bioregional governance, and our Bioregional Learning Network hosts information sessions and events (including webinars). AELA is also part of a global movement of organisations and networks working to create and advocate for bioregional and Earth-centred governance.
Global Bioregional Month - Sept 2026
AELA is excited to be part of Global Bioregional Month. Visit this webpage for all the details.
AELA's Bioregional Governance Program - Greenprints
AELA's Greenprints program provides structured support to communities working towards bioregional governance. Learn more on the Greenprints website here
AELA's Bioregional Learning Network
AELA's Bioregional Learning Network is a space for connecting with others who are interested in, or actively engaged in, 'bioregional governance' practice. AELA hosts webinars and events to invite people to come together to share, learn and explore what a bioregional life can look like. Please scroll down to see upcoming and past Bioregional events. For more information visit our webpage page here.
BIOREGIONAL WEBINARS
'Bioregionalism' and 'bioregioning' often focus on peoples' connection to land and fresh water. But what about our oceans?
Can we also have a 'bioregional approach' to ocean relationships and care? Yes we can, and we should!
Please join us to celebrate our unique bioregion and catchment - Nambucca Valley.
Local speakers and knowledge holders will share about the geology, geography, history, plants, animals and waterways of our Place.
When people talk about 'place-based' or 'place-responsive' approaches and initiatives, what do they mean? Are they focusing on a town, a city, a specific geographic area, or something else? Are they referring to human beings 'in place', or to the wider Earth-community of plants, animals and beings? Does it matter?
Read More...Join us for AELA's "Exploring Bioregioning" webinar series!
In our June webinar AELA Convenor and Greenprints creator, Dr Michelle Maloney will be joined by Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe (AO) and Ben Derrick to discuss the important work they are doing in connection with the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation.
Read More...Join us for AELA's "Exploring Bioregioning" webinar series!
In our April webinar AELA Convenor and Greenprints creator, Dr Michelle Maloney will be joined by Karie Crisp, to discuss some of the concepts they explored in their recent co-authored chapter: "Bioregions and Earth Laws".
Read More...Join us for AELA's "Exploring Bioregioning" webinar series!
In our first bioregioning webinar for 2026, AELA Convenor and Greenprints creator, Dr Michelle Maloney will be joined by Joe Brewer and Penny Heiple from the" Design School for Regenerating Earth" to discuss how we can follow a design pathway for regenerating our planet and human cultural, learning and financial, systems.
Read More...Join us for AELA's "Exploring Bioregioning" webinar series! In our final bioregioning webinar for 2025, AELA Convenor and Greenprints creator, Michelle Maloney and architect, urban and environment planner, Manu Bhatnagur will be joined by Nisha Mary Poulose to discuss an amazing bioregional mapping project in India, led by the South Asian Bioregionalism Working Group.
Read More...Join us for AELA's "Exploring Bioregioning" webinar series! In our August webinar, AELA Convenor and Greenprints creator, Michelle Maloney, will be joined by John Thackara and James Oliver, to discuss the role of social and ecological design, in bioregioning and place-based initiatives.
Read More...Join us for AELA's "Exploring Bioregioning" webinar series! In our April webinar, AELA Convenor and Greenprints creator, Dr Michelle Maloney, will be joined by Bill Baue, Brenda Geer, Maggie Favretti and Mike Thomas, who collaborate in a bioregioning collective covering the northeast region of Turtle Island (North America), which shares a common forested landscape. Brenda, Maggie and Mike are also members of the Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed and all our guest speakers will share stories about their bioregioning efforts in the Mystic River Watershed (Catchment) in the United States.
Read More...Join us for AELA's "Exploring Bioregioning" webinar series! In our March webinar, AELA Convenor and Greenprints creator, Dr Michelle Maloney, will be joined by Ella Hubbard and Isabel Carlisle, to share stories about bioregioning in the United Kingdom.
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