Keystone Species
in Agroforestry and Bioregional Repair

Agroforestry and Bioregional Repair are the “North Stars” of Gaia University Associate Connor Stedman’s work. Through his reflections, wanderings and research he’s come up with a proposal for the optimal way to create and maintain an Agroforestry project. He’s also recently obtained his first experimental site in Massachussetts. But let’s go back to the two compound subjects at hand. I don’t know about you, but personally these are not topics about whichbI can whip off a one-line definition in my head. So how to explain the importance of this focus on “Agroforestry and Bioregional Repair”? Connor explains them in terms of “Keystone Species.”

A Keystone Species is one whose behavior has an influence on its environment that is disproportionate to its biomass. For example, beavers are keystone species as their building of dams floods large areas and the necessary tooth growth control leads them to fell trees far beyond their need for shelter. Most predators can be considered keystones as the population and growth of any animals that are their prey is directly affected by their behavior. You’ve probably guessed by now that humans are yet another of these Keystone Species.

Our current impact on the environment is largely a negative one, lessening the ability of the earth’s interconnected systems to support and provide for all forms of life. And yet, for thousands of years human beings engaged in responsible use of our position as keystone species. Through landscape modification, seeding, pruning, use of fire and a diversity of other methods, traditional cultures were excellent “ecosystem managers.” In some cultures extended families would be charged with the caretaking of an entire ecosystem. This form of caretaking is distinct from what we think of as “farming” and “forestry” due to the emphasis on creating stable, diverse food supplies for humans as well as all other species. This implies a constant level of bioregional repair, so that as we are using resources we are also ensuring their replenishment.

This type of regenerative work or “earth care” can be seen as one of the few “Meta-Projects”, or umbrella issues which underlies a huge amount of world-changing work in need of implementation today. It is a type of work that connects people working from the scale of balcony bucket gardens, to those creating multi-layer food forests, to those transforming environmental policies. For myself at least, I find it helpful to remember, as I’m planting a few tomatoes in buckets on a concrete courtyard, that I’m part of a greater pattern of world changers.

Proposal for Sustainable Start-Up Agroforestry

So how would one go about starting up a sustainable Agroforestry project?. Here are some of Connor’s recommendations (he emphasizes that these are all still in the beginning stages of experimentation...).

-Site selection using the criteria of "simple, clear, and undramatic." Limited use (or “usufruct”) leases of land with a renting of management rights in exchange for fixed percentages of the lands economic yield. It is essential to start off with clear agreements and a positive relationship with the landowner.

-Crops sold through a CSA (community supported agriculture) model as well as through direct sales to the local community. For this to work well it is imperative to produce “economically viable” produce, meaning grow what grows well and what people will eat.

-Training programs could guide people through full cycles of site management and then provide them with paid management positions in coming years. This would add an education and outreach element, as well as making the project more sustainable in terms of “people power”.

-Ongoing mentorship and core social agreements to ensure both quality and integrity within the project. Bringing in new people will allow the project to grow beyond initial time and resource constraints.

-Celebration! Seasonal cycles of harvest and renewal call for correspondent festivals, feasting and music-making, inclusive of the local population, to allow the community to develop strong bonds.


Potential Challenges

Of course there are always challenges. Connor’s reflections and experience led him to make several observations on potential obstacles worth considering before embarking on any project that intends to be sustainable.

The first of these common hurdles is the temptation of “going it alone”. Projects need to be grounded in community to be truly sustainable. There is a saying that goes, “to walk fastest, walk alone, to walk farthest, walk with others.” Enough said?

Secondly, Connnor observed that projects leaning too heavily on the current economic system are often unsustainable. Rapid changes in systems occurring at present, and the need for even more drastic change, mean people need to look to a diversity of support sources and tactics for their projects.

Finally, it is essential to make sure that everyone involved in a project, be they individuals funding it or participants in the action, be on the same page in terms of vision for your desired outcome. In your relationship with a funding source make sure all is clear and agreed upon in advance.


Taking on the challenge of developing a viable micro-business in this vein could provide a much needed growth spurt to the “knowing and doing” of forest gardening and agroforestry both locally and beyond. People need know through examples that bioregional repair and earth regeneration are feasible.

Recreating a culture of knowledgeable, responsible caretaking is one of the most important tasks we can take on as world changers today. If you’ve found this article of interest you may also want to read the accompanying piece on Gaia U Germany and their work with Terra Preta .

To contact Connor about his projects, email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it