Berkeley, CA.
March 31, 2023

Now in its 34th year, the Bioneers Conference, viewed by many as the leading independent environmental and social-justice themed annual gathering in the U.S., will be held in Berkeley, California, on April 6-8, 2023. Featuring hundreds of inspiring and visionary leaders, Bioneers 2023 will bring thousands of engaged and civically active attendees to Zellerbach Hall on the UC Berkeley Campus and to venues across downtown Berkeley for three days of riveting talks, movement building, and connections.

The theme for 2023 is “Transformation, Regeneration, Celebration,” and speakers include writer Rebecca Solnit; Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Rep. Pramila Jayapal; energy policy leader Dr. Leah Stokes; writer and teacher Joanna Macy; Indigenous Policy and Climate Justice expert Jade Begay; activist chef, writer and educator Bryant Terry; National Geographic Explorer and whale behavior expert Dr. Shane Gero, journalist Laura Flanders; science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson; Othering and Belonging Institute Founder john a. powell; clean energy entrepreneur Danny Kennedy; chef and food activist Alice Waters; labor organizer Saru Jayaraman; and Indigenous scholar Dr. Yuria Celidwen, alongside hundreds of afternoon panelists and speakers.

According to Bioneers CEO & Co-Founder Kenny Ausubel, “The big wheels of massive change are turning. Climate disruption bears down daily, and there’s a widely felt morning-after awakening that it’s going to crash the economy and bring civilization to its knees. Although the shift to renewables is now an accelerating inevitability, it’s going to take relentless political action. Meanwhile, movements of the past decade for liberation, justice and multicultural democracy are swelling to challenge right-wing populist and neo-fascist forces underwritten by cynical plutocratic elites. Especially in these darkest of times, we come together to celebrate. We invite you to join forces with the Bioneers community of leadership in this time when we’re all called upon to be leaders.”

“Berkeley is a city of innovation and at the vanguard of new ideas, especially when it comes to the environment,” says Mayor Jesse Arreguín, “I am honored to have Berkeley be the host city for this important conference during a critical time for addressing climate change, and look forward to the exchange of ideas from trailblazing leaders across the country.”
For the past three decades, Indigenous knowledge, participants, and partners have fundamentally shaped and guided Bioneers. The annual Indigenous Forum is a Native-led sovereign conference-within-a-conference — a unique cross-cultural and invitational platform. Regularly attracting representatives from dozens of tribal nations, it remains the only gathering of its kind, bringing together Indigenous activists, scientists, elders, youth, culture-bearers, and scholars to share their knowledge and frontline solutions in dialogue with a dynamic, multicultural audience.

Organizers also invest in the potential of youth and educators, with a bustling youth scholarship program bringing upwards of 500 youth and mentors to experience the Bioneers Conference annually.

Described by Bill McKibben as “a crucial organizing principle,” the Bioneers Conference has long served as an annual focal point for the progressive community. The gathering strives to feature well known figures as well as emergent leaders who are engaged in exemplary work in their communities. It’s not just the speakers who make a difference. Bioneers attendees are sophisticated and active leaders in their own right, leveraging inspiration and connections built at the event to return to their communities and fields with new energy and momentum for change.

With the move to the East Bay, Bioneers is excited to be located in such a thriving, progressive, and accessible new home. (The entire event will be within easy walking distance of the Downtown Berkeley BART Station.) For those interested in learning more about cutting-edge work taking place in the region, Bioneers is offering two pre-conference tours on April 5, one focused on urban farming and food production and one exploring the vibrant cultural history and ever-developing landscape of the East Bay as a hub of social justice activism.

Featuring engaged arts, musical performances, and ample opportunities for connection, Bioneers 2023 will bring hope, inspiration, and movement building to the East Bay. Registration is open now, with discounted rates available for youth, educators, activists, and seniors. More at: conference.bioneers.org. Contact press@bioneers.org for specific inquiries.

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About Bioneers: Bioneers is an innovative nonprofit organization that highlights breakthrough solutions for restoring people and planet. Founded in 1990 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, we act as a fertile hub of social and scientific innovators with practical and visionary solutions for the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. Bioneers is inspiring and realizing a shift to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other and future generations.