About Us
La Terre Bioregional Center was conceived by James Inabinet
La Terre Bioregional Center was established by James Inabinet in 1990 to discover better ways of living on the land as a partner, ways that can heal both humans and Earth [under the auspices of collaborating with other, like-minded people, to extend the reach of my work in association with others]. In the very beginning, I asked this land to teach me how to become a human being because it had become patently obvious that my culture could not. I somehow knew that a human being, un-nurtured by nature, lacks spiritual roots that might nourish his humanity.
After successes and failures, I embarked on a solo vision quest on the land in 2003, looking for insight to proceed. The first insight was that I had to know and understand more about what happens to a person upon establishing a deep intimate connection with the land; my scientific training fell short. To wit, he completed an MA in Earth Literacy and a PhD in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness. The second insight was that without collaboration, what he desired to achieve was impossible.
The collaboration is this effort. He continues as co-coordinator. The hardest thing about collaboration is having to give up control–and wait.
Four Pillars of La Terre
Pillar 1: Bioregionalism.
Bioregionalism concerns the “where” of our work. Bioregion refers to one’s “home place,” the local biologically-determined land area and what surrounds it. In order to establish thriving, participants investigate, come to know, and become intimate with their home ecosystems.
Pillar 2: Permaculture.
Permaculture concerns the “how” of our work. Permaculture refers to techniques for humans to meet their needs, especially food needs, ecologically, sustainably, and with self-sufficiency. Meeting needs in this way is conducive to the thriving of both humans and place.
Pillar 3: Vision Quest.
Vision Quest concerns the “who” of our work. Who will do the work? Our unique authentic selves is whom we seek. Participants spend an extended period of time in the forest seeking a vision of their authentic self. This is the self that can become partners with others and the land in mutual thriving. This is the self that can bring their unique gifts to bear in the service of a unique “path with heart.”
Pillar 4: Ecological Community.
Ecological Community concerns “with whom” do we work? Participants strive to use old models and create new ones for becoming cooperative with others in egalitarian community through consensus-building in shared space and through concern for wider social justice issues within the entire bioregion.
