Biohabitats, Conservation planning, Ecological restoration, Regenerative design

Link to Biohabitats

Approach

Our practice can best be defined as a blend of sound science, place-based design and ecological democracy.  It is rooted in deep ecology with an underpinning that all species have equal rights, and that we have an ethical obligation to ensure that our actions do not interfere with their evolutionary potential. It is ingrained with the intent to design with ‘place’ and all of its complexity, diversity and life. And it is infused with a sense of compassion, fairness and equity for all peoples and their communities.

Science forms the core of our practice. Science that is as informed by rigorous field investigations and meticulous research as it is from knowing the land and learning its stories. While the science provides us with the facts, stories provide the context to help us see things from a whole-systems perspective. Patterns, connections and relationships continually reveal themselves through stories, providing a rich tapestry of life that forms the basis of our design ethos.

From this tapestry emerge the three basic tenets of our work:

LIVING…
All life has intrinsic value.  Life is complex, diverse and symbiotic. It is unpredictable, mysterious and awe-inspiring. Life affords us countless possibilities and unbounded potential. The celebration of life and living systems is at the heart of everything we do at Biohabitats.

ENGAGING…
Every living thing should have the opportunity to decide its future.  That is ecological democracy, and in practicing it, we emphasize direct, participatory, hands-on engagement.  Active engagement seeks to reveal potential and purpose. It awakens us to the essence of place and uncovers the patterns that connect us to the living world.  At Biohabitats, inclusiveness, empowerment, justice and fairness are not just buzz words. They define the art of effective engagement, and guide the way we approach our work.

EVOLVING…
Life evolves, adapting to ever changing conditions and possibilities. From evolution comes diversity, and diversity leads to complexity, resiliency and richness- characteristics that define our work.   To us, evolution is more than a biological process; it is a way of continuing to improve upon our practice.  Inherent in our approach is the capacity to change and the capability to unleash possibilities from that change.