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Bringing In the Rain – Stormwater Management
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Bioregional Quotations & Insights
Here is perhaps the most delicious turn that comes out of thinking about politics from the standpoint of place: anyone of any race, language, religion, or origin is welcome, as long as they live well on the land. The great Central Valley region does not prefer English over Spanish or Japanese or Hmong. If it had any preferences at all, it might best like the languages it has heard for thousands of years, such as Maidu or Miwok, simply because it is used to them. Mythically speaking, it will welcome whomever chooses to observe the etiquette, express the gratitude, grasp the tools, and learn the songs that it takes to live there.
― Gary Snyder, “A Place in Space: Ethics, Aesthetics, and Watersheds”
Bioregional Quotations & Insights
In treading upon the insubstantial ground of the future we take certain risks, and we must face the fact that the word “utopian” has become an epithet, a chastisement, for those who would dream of things that never were and imagine that they still might be. Yet it is a necessary part of any political construct that it offer an image of the future that can be regarded as positive and liberatory and realistic and energizing. This, I submit, bioregionalism succeeds in doing.
― Kirkpatrick Sale, “Mother of All: Introduction to Bioregionalism”
Bioregional Quotations & Insights
From “Earth Loyalty” by Fred Cervin:
Unless we personify Earth, we will not be able to repent, will not change enough, or soon enough. The writing is on the wall, stark and terrible. Implacable forces are already in play. The future of our species on this planet is at stake. It’s not just at risk. Don’t say it’s at risk. Disaster is a certainty if we don’t change radically. We are on a runaway train heading toward an abyss.
All this is happening because we have forgotten our Mother the Earth. We have no regard for her. We make our most consequential economic decisions without a thought for Earth. We treat her like an inert mass of raw materials or like a sterile desert of no use except as a place to throw our garbage. What we have lost fundamentally is a fresh, lively sense of our own dependence. We think of our relations with Earth as environmentalism— as if Earth were a mere externality, something in need of minimal maintenance—rather than being bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. “Mother Nature” is a tired, worn-out figure of speech, useful only for sentimental greeting cards. The reality is quite different. She is the Goddess, and She will be honored, whether in heartfelt love and respect, or in catastrophe. Those who despise her will pay the price.
I say there is now only one way left, one hope for our species: to love Earth. To feel in our hearts that we are a part of Her, what we do to Her we do to ourselves. If you love Earth, you will not fail to evaluate any possible action in light of its effects on the one you love. If you love Earth, then you will vow earth loyalty. This is the one way change can come in time: hundreds of millions vow Earth Loyalty. There is no other way.
Bioregional Quotations & Insights
Bioregional awareness teaches us in specific ways. It is not enough to just ‘love nature’ or to want to ‘be in harmony with Gaia.’ Our relation to the natural world takes place in a place, and it must be grounded in information and experience.
— Gary Snyder
Category Archives: News
Bioregional Rain Barrel Program Resumes in 2024
We are excited to announce that after a hiatus last year, our rain barrel program is resuming this spring and summer. Contact us if you would like to attend one of our rain barrel installation and maintenance workshops. After attending … Continue reading
In Memoriam: Bob “Bobcat” Carruthers, 1947-2022
We mourn the loss of our treasured friend Bob “Bobcat” Carruthers: teacher, bioregionalist, busker, flutist, guitarist, bluesman, mentor, tinkerer, astronomer, popcorn maker, moonshine mixer, philosopher, guru of simple living, good-naturedness and goodwill. A master teacher and practitioner of bioregionalism, Bobcat … Continue reading
Visiting a New Nature Preserve in North Haven
We had a great time this morning visiting the new nature preserve at Brickyard Point in North Haven, which was formerly a highly polluted brownfield site (the Upjohn Chemical plant) that has now been reclaimed as a wetlands preserve and … Continue reading
Rain Barrel Update – August 2021
We have new barrels available and the final rain barrel workshop of the season will take place on Saturday, Sept. 18 at noon. This is for greater New Haven residents (New Haven, Hamden, East Haven, and Woodbridge), courtesy of the … Continue reading
A River Speaks
The New Haven Bioregional Group began in 2005 as a collaborative effort to “walk the watersheds” of the Quinnipiac Bioregion. Our intellectual and spiritual guide, Peter Berg, built the edifice of bioregionalist philosophy on the foundation of watershed-based thinking and … Continue reading
Rain Barrel Update – Aug. 2020
We have received a number of requests lately regarding rain barrels. Over the last four years, we have given out over 150 *FREE* rain barrels across New Haven and given dozens of demonstrations about installation of rain barrels and best … Continue reading
‘Bringing In The Rain’ Stormwater Education Video
Controlling our stormwater runoff has been one of our top priorities over the last few years. Did you know that stormwater is the #1 source of pollution in most Connecticut waterways, and that millions of gallons of raw sewage flow … Continue reading
Downsizing Donation Guide
We are very grateful to local eco-ally Elaine Piraino-Holevoet for compiling this informative “Downsizing Donation Guide” — a tremendous resource for anyone in the New Haven area looking to give away items to worthy nonprofits!
NEW!!! ‘Zero Waste’ Guide for New Haven Area
Bioregional Group member Steve King (pictured below in Utah) has compiled a Comprehensive Guide to Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling in the New Haven area. We are very grateful to Steve for developing this tremendous resource. Read this NY Times story about why … Continue reading
Vision for Mill River Trail Gets a Boost
An exciting project to connect different parts of the Mill River watershed with a pedestrian linkage got a major boost recently when the State of Connecticut approved a $289,000 grant for developing two sections of the proposed Trail. [Photo: Maria Tupper.] … Continue reading
