The Cascadia bioregion stretches from the Pacific coast to the Continental Divide and from Northern California to southern Alaska, encompassing one of the most biodiverse and rain-soaked temperate regions on Earth. Rooted in Indigenous stewardship and amplified by the modern bioregionalist movement, Cascadia stands as a living model of ecological interdependence, cultural respect, and local resilience.
Keywords: Cascadia, Bioregion, Pacific Northwest, Salmon Nation, Coast Salish, Temperate Rainforest, Bioregionalism
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Bioregion Name | Cascadia |
| Languages | English, Chinook Jargon, Nuu-chah-nulth, Lushootseed, Salishan languages |
| Geographic Range | Pacific Northwest (USA & Canada): Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Northern California, parts of Idaho |
| Ecosystems | Temperate Rainforests, Coastal Fjords, Mountain Ranges, Alpine Meadows, River Valleys |
| Flag / Symbols | Cascadian Doug Flag (Blue-Green-White with Douglas Fir) |
| Major Rivers | Columbia, Fraser, Snake, Willamette, Klamath |
| Key Cities | Seattle, Portland, Vancouver (BC), Eugene, Olympia |
| Cultural Heritage | Indigenous Coast Salish, Chinook, Haida, Makah, settler eco-culture, bioregionalist movement |
| Notable Species | Orcas, Salmon, Douglas Fir, Roosevelt Elk, Bald Eagle |
| Challenges | Logging, mining, fossil fuel transport, urban sprawl, indigenous rights |
| Visionary Projects | Cascadia Bioregional Congress, Salmon Nation, Decentralized energy & food systems |
| Academic Resources | Ecotrust, Cascadia Institute, Center for Ecoliteracy, Simon Fraser University |
| Maps | Bioregional atlases, Cascadia independence maps, Ecozones overlays |
| Organizations | Cascadia Now!, Ecotrust, Resilience.org, Salmon Nation |
| Websites | cascadianow.org, ecotrust.org |
| Spiritual & Mythic Roots | Raven tales, Salmon ceremonies, Pacific totem cosmologies |
The Cascadia Bioregion is one of the most ecologically and culturally distinct regions in North America, encompassing a vast stretch of the Pacific Northwest across both the United States and Canada. Extending from Northern California through Oregon and Washington to British Columbia and parts of southeastern Alaska, this bioregion is defined not by political boundaries, but by watersheds, ecosystems, and cultural continuity.
Rooted in Indigenous Coast Salish and First Nations traditions, and strengthened through modern bioregionalist philosophy, Cascadia celebrates local resilience, ecological stewardship, and decentralized governance. It is home to a robust civil society that promotes sustainability, biocultural revitalization, and food and energy sovereignty.
Known for its temperate rainforests, salmon-bearing rivers, and iconic Douglas Fir landscapes, Cascadia also holds deep significance in environmental history as the cradle of early eco-activism, permaculture innovation, and place-based education movements. The region’s Indigenous teachings, especially around the salmon cycle and interspecies reciprocity, continue to shape bioregional approaches today.
As both a mythical cultural identity and a concrete ecological framework, Cascadia bridges the traditional and contemporary in service of planetary regeneration and watershed democracy.
Keywords
Cascadia, Bioregion, Pacific Northwest, Salmon Nation, Coast Salish, Temperate Rainforest, Bioregionalism, Raven Myth, Watershed Democracy, Ecotrust, Columbia River Basin, Decentralized systems
📚 References
- Berg, P. (2002). Envisioning Bioregional Sustainability. Planet Drum Foundation.
- Dodge, J. (2008). Cascadia: The Elusive Utopia. Ronsdale Press.
- Salmon Nation. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://salmonnation.net
- Cascadia Now! (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cascadianow.org
- Ecotrust. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ecotrust.org
- Cascadia Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cascadiainstitute.org (site currently archived)