the Western Slope Institute
Living Systems Thinking for Bioregional Regeneration
Durango - Colorado
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An accredited college field semester and research institute dedicated to
bioregional regeneration
Our work centers on the health of both natural ecosystems and the human communities that depend on them. Guided by research and well-established regenerative design frameworks, the Western Slope Institute goes beyond traditional sustainability by teaching students how to actively design solutions rooted in place.
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We operate at the intersection of theory and hands-on practice. The greater San Juan region provides our broader context, while the Animas River watershed serves as a living laboratory where students engage in real-world projects, applied research, and collaborative regenerative design work.
College Field Semester in
Regenerative Design
Live. Learn. Design. Transform.
The College Field Semester in Regenerative Design is a 16-credit sustainability field program for university students who want to learn by doing. Over 16 weeks in the deserts, rivers, and mountains of Southwest Colorado, students live in community, travel through national parks and wilderness landscapes, participate in reciprocal, community-hosted immersion with Diné families, and work on regenerative design and watershed reslience projects with local organizations.
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This is hands-on environmental education that blends academic rigor with wilderness travel, community living, and applied climate solutions—preparing students to lead in a rapidly changing world.
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Bioregional
Regeneration research
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.
Regenerative practices Consulting
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.​​
