The Regenerative Journey: A Legacy of Permaculture, Land and our Earth Path
From Roots to Renewal: Our Shared Story
The Regenerative Path: Honouring the Legacy of Land, Permaculture, and Living Wisdom of Lorenna & Shantree
"True regeneration begins within, where we reconnect with the Earth’s rhythms and our own, creating a world where all life flourishes in harmony." – Lorenna Bousquet-Kacera
As the modern world grapples with environmental crises and the social fragmentation of our times, the call to return to our roots, reconnect with the Earth, and embrace the living systems that sustain us has never been more urgent. This journey is not merely a response to the challenges of our time; it is an invitation to step into a legacy of regeneration, a paradigm that shifts how we view and engage with the land, each other, and ourselves. This is the heart of Lorenna and Shantree’s work—a timeless journey rooted in the belief that regeneration is both a deeply personal and collective practice, one that has the power to transform the land, our lives, and the world.
For Lorenna and Shantree, this journey began decades ago. The seeds they planted have flourished into a rich and living testament to the power of permaculture and regenerative living. Throughout their lifetime together, they have cultivated not only gardens but also a deep, interwoven relationship with the Earth. Through this, they have shown us that regeneration is an ongoing, embodied practice that nourishes all life. As Lorenna so beautifully put it,
“Every step toward inner regeneration ripples out to renew the world, as we become the change we seek to see.”
The Land: A Partner in Regeneration
The Living Centre—where Lorenna and Shantree’s journey as permaculture practitioners began- is a beacon of what can be achieved when we align our practices with the Earth’s natural rhythms. This land, once a barren canvas, has evolved into a living example of regeneration. It now teems with vibrant plant life, resilient ecosystems, and abundant, thriving gardens. Over the years, Lorenna and Shantree have worked to restore and regenerate the land, designing resilient systems that mimic the natural world. Each garden they planted, every system they designed, and every step they took mirrored the regenerative process they envisioned for the planet.
The land became not only their classroom but their greatest teacher. Through deep listening and mutual respect, they came to understand the land’s needs, responding to its subtle cues and creating a space where life could flourish. This was their primary lesson: “We are not separate from nature; we are nature,” says Shantree, reminding us that regeneration starts from the Earth itself. The Living Centre’s transformation into a thriving example of permaculture is not just a physical achievement; it is a spiritual one, demonstrating how we can co-create with the land, rather than exploit it.
The Regenerative Paradigm: An Invitation to Co-Create with the Earth
Through their work and teachings, Lorenna and Shantree have introduced generations of people to the regenerative paradigm—a new way of living that seeks to harmonize human life with the Earth’s rhythms. They invite us to see the Earth not as something to be exploited, but as a living partner in the co-creation of a flourishing world.
The regenerative paradigm, as taught by Lorenna and Shantree, holds the belief that regeneration is not merely about external practices—it is an internal process. As Lorenna often says, “The health of the Earth mirrors the health of the body. To regenerate one, we must regenerate the other.” This philosophy invites us to understand the interdependence of all systems and how personal healing, communal well-being, and planetary health are interconnected. It teaches that we must first regenerate our own lives, our bodies, our relationships, and our minds, before we can hope to create a world of balance and vitality. This, for Lorenna and Shantree, is the essence of regenerative living: “We regenerate within, and the world regenerates around us.”
From the creation of multi-layered forest gardens that mimic natural ecosystems to the reclamation of old agricultural fields into biodiverse habitats, Lorenna and Shantree’s work has been a testament to the regenerative powers of the Earth. Their teachings remind us that when we align with natural systems, abundance follows. Through simple, mindful practices, whether it be planting a seed, cultivating a garden, or restoring a wild ecosystem, they’ve shown how we can co-create with the Earth to restore and regenerate life in all its forms.
Inner Permaculture: The Foundation of Regeneration
While the land has served as their greatest teacher, Lorenna and Shantree also understand that true regeneration must begin within. Their concept of “inner permaculture” speaks to the idea that we must first create balanced, regenerative systems within our own lives, our bodies, our relationships, and our minds. Just as permaculture seeks to design resilient systems in nature, inner permaculture seeks to design our lives in ways that align with natural rhythms.
As Lorenna often shares, “To regenerate the Earth, we must first regenerate our hearts.” This inner regeneration requires conscious awareness of the systems that shape us, from the foods we eat to the thoughts we entertain. It is about cultivating deep self-awareness, compassion, and care for the Earth within ourselves, because, as Shantree says, “The Earth cannot regenerate until we do.”
Inner permaculture is the foundation for all outer regeneration. It is about coming back into balance with ourselves, our emotions, our thoughts, our actions, so that we can work with the Earth in harmony. When we are in alignment with our true selves, we become better stewards of the land and more attuned to the natural rhythms that guide us.
Rewilding: Returning to Our Deep Roots
A central aspect of Lorenna and Shantree’s legacy is their commitment to rewilding—the process of reconnecting with the wildness that is part of our heritage. As Lorenna often says, “In the soil, we find our power; in nature, we find our purpose.” Rewilding is more than simply restoring natural ecosystems; it is about reclaiming a deeper connection to the wild, untamed forces within us and within the land.
This journey of rewilding is not about returning to the past but about reconnecting with the wildness that is an inherent part of our being. It’s about shedding the layers of cultural conditioning and rediscovering the primal wisdom that lies within. By reconnecting with the wild, we reclaim our ability to be fully alive, to live following the natural rhythms of the Earth, and to experience the joy and vitality that come from being deeply rooted in nature.
Through rewilding, Lorenna and Shantree have seen firsthand the transformation that happens when we step into our true selves, our innate wildness. By reintroducing native plant species to the land, restoring natural waterways, and fostering an understanding of natural cycles, they have created an environment where wildness is not only honoured but celebrated. This, they believe, is the path to true regeneration.
Forest Gardening: The Art of Regenerative Abundance
Forest gardening is one of the cornerstone practices of permaculture that Lorenna and Shantree have championed throughout their work. Inspired by the complexity and diversity of natural forests, forest gardens create multi-layered systems of food, medicine, shelter, and habitat, systems that not only provide sustenance but also regenerate the land and its creatures.
At The Living Centre, Lorenna and Shantree have cultivated such gardens for over four decades. These gardens are not simply productive, they are regenerative. As Shantree often shares, “A forest garden is a living testament to the intelligence of nature. It works for us, with us, and through us.” Their work in forest gardening has shown the world that true abundance comes from working in harmony with nature’s intricate systems. These gardens, rich with diversity and resilience, have been a source of nourishment, not just for the body but for the soul, teaching that abundance is rooted in biodiversity and balance.
The Legacy of Regeneration: A Continuous Practice
For Lorenna and Shantree, regeneration is not a one-time fix; it is an ongoing, living practice. This is the essence of their teachings. It’s about creating systems—whether in our gardens, our communities, or our personal lives- that not only sustain life but nourish it. Regeneration requires continuous attention, patience, and a deep respect for the processes of nature.
As Lorenna often reminds us, “Regeneration is a practice, not a product.” It is a continuous journey, a cycle of growth, renewal, and rebalancing. Just as the Earth regenerates in cycles, so too must we. The work that Lorenna and Shantree have done over the years is not a finished project; it is a living testament to the belief that regeneration requires ongoing effort, humility, and care.
Co-Creating with Nature: A New Story for the World
Lorenna and Shantree’s teachings challenge us to write a new story for humanity, one where we are not separate from the Earth but an integral part of it. In their work, they have exemplified the power of co-creation, working with the Earth, not against it. As Lorenna says, “When we work with the Earth, we align ourselves with the flow of life. We become part of something much greater than ourselves.”
This co-creative process involves respecting and working with the natural rhythms of the Earth, understanding that everything we do has an impact on the systems around us. Every act, every decision, every choice we make affects the planet, and by working in partnership with the Earth, we can regenerate the systems that sustain us all.
The Future of Regeneration: A Living Legacy
As Lorenna and Shantree continue their work, their journey is far from over. The future of regeneration lies in the hands of all who walk the path they have laid. It is a legacy of hope, possibility, and transformation, a testament to the power of living in harmony with the Earth’s natural rhythms.
Their teachings will continue to inspire future generations of permaculture practitioners, environmentalists, and everyday people to embrace the regenerative way of life. Together, we can create a world where all beings, human and non-human alike, have a place to flourish.
This is the legacy of Lorenna and Shantree, a living, breathing testament to the power of regeneration, a journey that continues to inspire and transform lives, one seed, one heart, and one act of co-creation at a time. “Regeneration is not a destination. It is the path that leads us back to the Earth, back to each other, and back to ourselves.”
"To rewild is to remember: our bodies, our hearts, and the Earth are intertwined in the dance of regeneration."
