Glossary

"By regeneration we mean systems and practices that take a ‘holistic’ approach to solving environmental, social and economic problems; aiming to restore health, wholeness and resilience." (From the Lush Spring Prize website)

Permaculture is a movement and design science grounded in natural patterns and rhythms. Permaculture provides a set of ethics and principles which allows designers to create or participate in systems, whether that’s social systems or ecosystems, in a way which 'works with nature, not against nature'.

"Agroecology is a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems." (From the FAO's Agroecology Knowledge Hub)

"Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) – also called by other names, including Indigenous knowledge or Native science – [has been] acquired over centuries through direct contact with the environment." (From Heather Hansen)

"Agroforestry is the growing of both trees as well as agricultural and horticultural crops on the same piece of land. It is designed to provide tree and other crop products and at the same time protect, conserve, diversify and sustain vital economic, environmental, human and natural resources." (From the Agroforestry Research Trust)

"[Food Sovereignty] places peasants and all other small-scale food producers at the heart of food systems, instead of powerful corporations, by building on the principles of solidarity, collectivism and social justice." (From La Via Campesina)

"Biomimicry provides solutions inspired by nature. Emulating time-tested forms, processes, and ecosystems, humans practicing biomimicry can unleash a regenerative future where humans help to create conditions conducive to all life." (From the Biomimicry Institute)

"It is the variety of life on Earth, in all its forms and all its interactions. If that sounds bewilderingly broad, that’s because it is. Biodiversity is the most complex feature of our planet and it is the most vital." (By Damian Carrington for the Guardian)

An ecosystem is a living community of organisms, which often exist in mutual benefit to one another (in symbiosis). Often the more diverse an ecosystem is, the healthier it is.

Holism refers to the consideration of systems as a whole, and thinking of the web of connection between all the different parts of the system. This is rather than splitting things into separate parts, thinking only of one element in a system.

The Regenerative Continuum is an ecological model. It it like a compass, pointing us beyond sustainability, toward regeneration. It helps us reflect on where our ecological and social impacts are on a scale, and shows us which direction to move - from degenerative (extracting value and destroying life), beyond sustainability (doing no harm or minimising harm but not challenging systemic injustice), to regenerative (transformative change to embed ourselves and our cultures in cycles of life and abundance).

"Natural Building refers to the use of materials in the building process that is locally sourced, natural and kind to the environment. Natural buildings typically produce much of their own energy through the smart use of materials and combination of passive design features to enhance insulation and thermal mass properties." (From the Natural Building Collective)

"Regenerative practitioners aim to create holistic approaches in their interventions, meaning that they take into account all the many elements in systems, and the many connections. This is rather than approaching their work with a simple 'cause-and-effect' mentality." (From the Re-Alliance website)

"Design is about translating ideas into reality - essentially it is planning. Design frameworks help us to learn, define, experiment, build, test and learn again so we can ensure the best possible outcomes." (From the UK Permaculture Association)

"The study of the environment [that] helps us understand how organisms live with each other in unique physical environments." (From National Geographic)