A Knowledge Commons for Regenerating Our Land, Water, and Local Communities
We begin by acknowledging that we gather on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee and other Indigenous peoples who have cared for this land for countless generations. We acknowledge the suffering and displacement they have endured, and we recognize the ongoing challenges they face. At the same time, we celebrate their wisdom, their deep relationship […]
We are launching Living the Book: Pathways to a Habitable Future—In Action through the Design School for Regenerating Earth as a year-long series of monthly dialogues with a specifically local and bioregional focus. We are holding the initial 90-minute dialogues on two Wednesdays, September 9 and 30,2026, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern. RVSP here […]
It’s important to ask, what do we already know about our bioregion, and how to steward it? To begin with, how do we celebrate what we already have? I think immediately of farmers’ markets, orchards and u-pick farms, any regenerative agriculture and indigenous cultivation, all the nonprofit initiatives we have (including Rochester Ecology Partners, the […]
For the presentation—Google Slides version for commenting: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EfV05d886tCc9iNb-YZzASwlu8nLqMCnspK1jXBc9Q0/edit?usp=sharing. For the initial concept proposal—Use the comment field on https://gflbioregion.org/westfall-road-ecological-demonstration-project-concept-proposal-1-20-2026/ For the permaculture design concept—Use the comment field on https://gflbioregion.org/permaculture-design-concept-for-westfall-road-property/ For comparison: the 2022 Brighton Community Farm Proposal: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rJ5cFMfzASYtirYYB4WUCrVcIrHDeW5M/view?usp=sharing *Please note:* These are concept proposals only, partly generated by AI, which can make mistakes. None of the […]
The GFL Comprehensive Climate Action Plan, recently submitted to the EPA,” provides a regional roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience across the nine-county Genesee-Finger Lakes Region. The plan outlines practical strategies in buildings, transportation, agriculture, energy, waste, and industry to lower emissions, improve public health, create jobs, and ensure community benefits, while […]
From: https://geogpt-sg.zero2x.org/ The **Genesee Finger Lakes Bioregion** represents a unique ecological and geographical area defined by its natural systems rather than political boundaries. Here’s a synthesized overview of its key characteristics, integrating insights from relevant research: —
Concept Paper — Draft 1 Jonathan Cloud / Center for Regenerative Community Solutions / March 2026 The Problem We Are Actually Trying to Solve The Genesee-Finger Lakes region has what most regions lack: functioning ecological monitoring systems, a mature land trust network, active agricultural extension services, a robust local food economy, and municipalities that have […]
Here is a site masterplan–level permaculture zoning map tailored explicitly to the Westfall Road proposal. The design is grounded in the programmatic structure of the concept document (watershed spine, canopy commons, regenerative landscape, access network), but translated it into a permaculture spatial logic. It is presented in three layers: Conceptual zoning map (what goes where […]
A Living Systems Commons for the Town of Brighton, NY Site: Town-owned 27-acre parcel on Westfall Road Municipality: Brighton Purpose: Transform a municipally owned parcel into a high-visibility ecological demonstration landscape that integrates watershed protection, climate resilience, education, and community wellbeing — while serving as a replicable model for suburban regeneration. 1. Why This Site […]
Below is a concise, decision-useful environmental and social profile for the Town of Brighton (Monroe County), New York. (Note: “Brighton” is sometimes used for different geographies in datasets; the sources cited here are explicitly for Brighton town, Monroe County.) (Census.gov) Brighton at a glance Type / context: Inner-ring suburb immediately southeast of the City of […]