the Western Slope Institute
Living Systems Thinking for Bioregional Regeneration
Durango - Colorado
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The Western Slope Institute
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The Western Slope Institute is an accredited higher education field school and research center dedicated to designing the transition to a regenerative future. Our work is centered on the health and vitality of Socio-Ecological Systems (SES)—the complex, reciprocal relationships between nested biological communities and human social structures.
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Guided by PhD-led research and established regenerative frameworks, WSI moves beyond the paradigm of "sustainability" toward an active, design-based, place-informed approach to regional health. We operate at the intersection of theory and practice, utilizing the larger San Juan Watershed as our macro-context and the Animas Watershed as our primary laboratory for intervention and study.​
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An Integrated Approach to Regeneration​
WSI operates as a multidimensional institute, where each branch informs and strengthens the others​​.
Our flagship 16-Credit Field Semester in Regenerative Design offers university students a high-rigor, immersive residency. This college-accredited, place-based field semester is grounded in living systems thinking, regenerative design, and bioregional practice providing an opportunity for meaningful socio-ecological systems change.
Students engage in regenerative design projects in the Animas Watershed with regional social and ecological partner organizations culminating in a semester capstone design and presentation. This program is offered as a true college field semester where the schedule and daily activities are guided by 4 college courses offered through Prescott College. The program also includes wilderness travel throughout the watershed featuring backpacking, rafting, cross-cultural service learning and visits to stunning national parks in the Southwest. ​
The Western Slope Institute is engaged in research that draws from the fields of sustainability education, regenerative development and design, bioregional regeneration, socio-ecological systems, nature-based human development, rites of passage, land-education, and social network analysis.
We conduct longitudinal research on bioregional indicators, identifying the leverage points where design can most effectively evolve the health of the watershed. This research serves as the intellectual foundation for our semester curriculum highlighting local potential and informing the focus of each semester's capstone project.
We offer tailored consulting services designed to support organizations in adopting regenerative practices and principles. Our approach is rooted in deep collaboration, systems thinking, and place-based solutions that align with ecological health, social equity, and long-term resilience.
Whether you're looking to redesign organizational systems, or embed regenerative practices and thinking into your culture and operations, we work closely with your team to co-create strategies that are practical, impactful, and future-focused. Our goal is not only to minimize harm, but to help your organization become a positive force for regeneration in your community and beyond.​​
