For the first time in more than 15 years, bioregionalists from across North America are coming together to plan a Continental Bioregional Congress — a gathering of organizers, artists, land stewards, and community leaders from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. From 1984 to 2009, ten of these congresses were held in summer campgrounds, eco-villages, and rural landscapes to share skills, stories, watershed updates, and visions for a flourishing future. Now, with the growing wave of bioregional organizing, we’re ready for an eleventh.
We’re looking for the perfect location to host this gathering in 2026. The site should support 300 to 1,000 people with flexible lodging (camping, cabins, or nearby hotels), space for group sessions and workshops, basic facilities, and options for shared meals or on-site food. This will be a chance to deepen connections across bioregions, spark new collaborations, and co-create solutions for climate resilience, ecological regeneration, and place-based self-governance.
With the current political and ecological climate growing more unstable, we believe the need for a gathering like this is greater than ever. A bioregional congress offers a place to reconnect, build trust, and coordinate grounded responses rooted in care for our watersheds, ecosystems, and communities.
The Department of Bioregion is especially excited to help bring this Congress to Cascadia. With our bioregional history reaching back decades—and roots that emerged from the very first bioregional congresses in the 1980s—we believe Cascadia would be a powerful and fitting place to host. If you know of a site that could be a good fit in this region, be sure to include it!
10 continental-scale bioregional congresses happened across the U.S., Canada and Mexico from 1984-2009. There is interest in reviving this effort for an 11th Congress, to amplify the wave of bioregional organizing across our continent for more community resilience and self-governance, climate action and ecological regeneration, and a flourishing future for all life. We are seeking recommendations for the perfect site to host this event and greatly appreciate you taking time to give this some thought.
A continental bioregional congress brings together diverse eco-oriented individuals and groups across bioregions to cohere efforts beyond political boundaries. The event occurs over several days with workshops, skills training, watershed reports, performance art, open-space collaboration, and more!
A continental-scale congress provides a cross-fertilization platform for discussing practical, local solutions to environmental, social, and cultural challenges, while fostering a sense of solidarity among those working to protect and revitalize their places. Congresses promote shared responsibility of ecosystems, regenerative practices, collaboration, celebration, and the foster connection of people and place.
Past congresses were held in summer camp settings, eco villages, and even more rustic locations such as farms. The 11th Congress site should be able to accommodate about 300-1000 people.
It's not a requirement for everyone to be able to sleep on site. The site can include a mixture of camp sites, glamping cabins, bunk beds, or other sleeping options. Please include overflow accommodations such as hotels or campgrounds.
The site should have a space to accommodate the full group for at least the opening and closing sessions. This could be a pavilion, community center building, or even outdoor spaces. If you are proposing a site with limited shelter then please make this known. Smaller Indoor or outdoor spaces for accommodating break-out discussions are also desired.
Rentals such as bathrooms, showers, large canopy tents, and AV equipment may be considered for accommodating our group.
Ideally the site has an industrial kitchen that we operate via a volunteer schedule or it can be staffed with a contracted catering service. An on-site restaurant, food trucks, or some other creative food solutions may suffice.
The survey closes on April 8, 2025. Thanks in advance! Send Recommendations to:
