Design for Evolution

In class this past Sunday, we discussed the emergence of “regeneration” as a primary orienting goal for a growing number of environmental theorists, activists, farmers, gardeners, and related systems thinkers and practitioners. One basic definition says that regeneration refers to the capacities of all life to generate healing responses following occurrences of damage, disturbance, or degradation. To speak of ecological regeneration, then, is to affirm both the possibility and the aim of participating in the repair of damaged landscapes, habitats, and earth systems, as well as of regenerative cultural traditions and practices, what Robin Wall Kimmerer calls “biocultural restoration.” We also named the rich spiritual meanings of regeneration associated with the energies of resurrection, revival, reparation, new creation, new birth, sanctification, and theosis or divinization, what John Wesley described as the “going on to Christian perfection.” In a climate changed world, we are called in the Spirit, not just to do no harm, but even more, to do all the good we can, in all the places we can, including with and for degraded ecosystems. Finally, we explored a first principle of regenerative planning, which is to design with evolution, asking questions about 1) capacity-building and short/medium/long-term succession planning, 2) “moving at the speed of trust” through intentional relationship building, and 3) identifying the unique niches or contributions Hennepin can offer within the broader systems (e.g. denominational, geographical, political, etc.) of which we’re a part.