Have you ever heard of bioregionalism? The term refers to a movement rooted in living in harmony with and appreciating the natural systems of the area you inhabit, similarly to how many Indigenous communities have lived for so many generations. Author Judith Plant explains bioregionalism as "Living within the limits and the gifts provided by a place, creating a way of life that can be passed on to future generations".
At its core, the movement establishes that natural features are fundamental to the organization of society rather than arbitrary boundaries. Features such as rivers and mountains should be the criteria for political and cultural units.
This is because those natural features distinguish between bioregions, defined as "a distinct area with coherent and interconnected plant and animal communities, and natural systems, […]. A bioregion is a whole 'life-place' with unique requirements for human inhabitation so that it will not be disrupted and injured." Planet Drum
Bioregions also impact human activity and social organization as people adapt their behaviour to best match their environment. Furthermore, "The bioregional perspective recreates a widely-shared sense of regional identity founded upon a renewed critical awareness of and respect for the integrity of our ecological communities" Cascadia Bioregion
With stronger ties to and deepened knowledge of local natural resources and processes, living more mindfully and in ways that respect life in all its forms becomes innate. This way, as noted by Judith Plant, it is possible to live more sustainably as we tune in with nature.