Bioregional Consciousness

A bioregion is an area that is defined by naturally occurring physical environmental features, as opposed to politically mapped boundaries, for example, a watershed, pictured below.



The watershed that the nearly 1 million residents of the Salt Lake Valley live in is called the Jordan River Watershed. It is bounded from the east by the Wasatch Mountains, from the south by the Traverse Range, from the West by the Oquirrh Mountains, and the north-flowing Jordan River drains into its northern boundary, the Great Salt Lake.



According to Peter Berg, who is credited with coining the term in the 1970s, "Bioregionalism is a significant step beyond either conservationist or environmentalist thinking." The importance of bioregionalism's environmental strategy is that its focus is immediately local. "There is no way to ensure the survival of the biosphere without saving each bioregion, and it is especially important for anyone living within industrial society to begin cultivating bioregional consciousness."

Understanding your bioregion, as described by the watershed information above, is a good starting point. Continue by asking yourself simple bioregional questions, such as:

Where does my water come from?
Where does my wastewater go?
Where does my garbage go?
What are the native edible plants in my bioregion?
How long is the growing season here?
Are there any endangered species in my bioregion?
Does the food I eat come from my bioregion?
How can I help?

The Jordan River Watershed is currently threatened. According to the Jordan River Watershed Council, this watershed suffers from "impaired fish populations," "metals and toxic chemicals," "failing septic systems," "industrial discharges," and "illegal dumping."

After developing a bioregional consciousness one may begin purposeful work in the local community for a sustainable future for the beautiful Jordan River Watershed.



Fortunately, Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative works to maintain healthy watersheds. The benefits include: "clean drinking water," "irrigation for farms and ranches," "healthier rangeland," "improved air quality," and "decreased fire frequency."

For more information please visit:
http://www.watershed.slco.org/jrwc/index.html
http://wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/fact_sheets/watershed_restoration.pdf

Aaron