March 24, 2026
"Because we are spiritually empty, we try to fill up on consumerism. We may not have enough love, but we can always shop." –bell hooks
Continuing the Conversation on Bioregionalism
Written by Lenn Black
Hopefully, you’ve already heard that Lynette Overholser of the Franklin County Pollinator Pathway (FCPP) will be speaking at the next meeting of Simply Living’s Bioregional Working Group. I am looking forward enthusiastically to hearing about FCPP’s activities and about the importance of pollinators to our bioregion. The meeting is on Sunday, March 29th at 2 pm at the Columbus Public Library’s Hilltop Branch, 511 South Hague Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204.
After Lynette’s presentation, there will be a discussion about the Working Group and about where we want to go from here. Read on for more information. Your input is valuable, so if you have an interest in bioregionalism, I encourage you to attend the meeting if you possibly can. Please register here.
Origins of Our Bioregional Conversation
The Central Ohio Bioregional Working Group began in June 2025 as a collaboration of individuals & organizations with the intention to reconnect people with place by studying natural resources, food systems, water sources, energy, and culture at the local level. Bioregionalism isn’t a new idea, but lately it’s resurfaced as a hopeful, practical way to think about living locally. At Simply Living, we’ve always believed that our communities hold the power to respond to global challenges right here at home.
So far, we have been a Bioregionalism Study Group, focused on learning about businesses and organizations who are employing bioregional principles in their work. Kelly Clark with the Great Lakes Southern Shore (GLESS) Bioregion led us through a rich discussion about what a bioregion is and how one might take shape here in Central Ohio.
Kelly Clark
Luke Messinger introduced us to RAPID 5 (Rivers and Parks Imagination Design), a Land Trust covering the five major waterways flowing through central Ohio. Its mission is to unite our regional assets, knitting more than 80 communities together to create one of the largest interconnected park systems in the nation.
Luke Messinger
Patty Shipley, a longtime advocate for healing people & ecosystems and the owner of the native plant nursery Leaves for Wildlife, invited us to shift our mindset from extraction to reciprocity, of giving back rather than taking endlessly from the earth. Patty, also the owner of Leaves of Life, a wellness center founded upon the practices & principles of Naturopathy & Functional Medicine, emphasized the profound connection between environmental health and human health.
Patty Shipley
How Should We Continue?
Continue to Study Bioregionalism
One alternative for the group is to continue what we have been doing, learning more about bioregionalism practices and principles. There is much we can learn, and there are many local businesses & organizations (like the Franklin County Pollinator Pathway) who can enlighten us.
Establish a Central Ohio Bioregion
Another alternative is to establish a Simply Living Central Ohio Bioregion. To clarify, we would not be establishing a bioregion, bioregions already exist in nature. We would instead be defining a geographical area based on bioregional principles covering that part of central Ohio we want to include. The next step would be to begin bioregional mapping activities and advocating bioregional principles & practices specific to central Ohio.
Read More
Franklin County Pollinator Pathway to Present!
The upcoming meeting of its Bioregional Working Group featuring Lynette Overholser of the Franklin County Pollinator Pathway is only a week away! (Sunday, March 29th at 2 pm at the Columbus Public Library's Hilltop Branch, 511 South Hague Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204). After the presentation and follow-up discussion, we will have a conversation about the Bioregionalism Working Group and where we want to go from here. Please try to attend!
A bioregion is a geographic area defined by its unique flora, fauna, climate, and topography, not just political lines. Bioregionalism serves as a framework for addressing global environmental issues through tangible, local actions, often drawing on indigenous knowledge to create a sustainable life-place.
Franklin County Pollinator Pathway is a local affiliate of the national Pollinator Pathway network. It works to expand pesticide-free corridors of native plants across Franklin County, linking yards, parks, schools, businesses, and community spaces so pollinators have safe, connected habitat. Even small green spaces, from curb strips to flower boxes, play a role. Because most native bees can only travel about half a mile, creating habitat patches wherever possible helps form a continuous pathway that supports insects, birds, and the ecosystems we rely on.
The event is free and open to everyone with an interest in bioregionalism! Registration is requested so we know how many to expect. Please Register soon!
Planetary: Reconnect to Something Bigger
Simply Living will present the outstanding documentary film Planetary: Reconnect to Something Bigger on Saturday, April 11th at 1:45 pm, at the Columbus Public Library's Hilltop Branch, 511 South Hague Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204. A discussion about the film and about planetary issues generally will follow the showing! There is no admission fee or suggested donation, but registration is requested so we know how many to expect. Please Register soon!
Simply Living Adds New Directors
Written by Lenn Black
Simply Living is pleased to announce that two new members have been added to its Board of Directors!
David O’Brien
The first new Board Member is David O’Brien, who joined the Board in February. He has been a member of the Share and Care Time Bank since 2021 and collaborates on various projects. He has lived in central Ohio most of his life and has always taken an interest in sustainable living and topics relating to inclusion & community building, thus leading to memberships in the Mid-Ohio Workers Association and the Humanist Community of Central Ohio.
David O’Brien
He is looking forward to planning and running Simply Living events as well as contributing to the newsletter. And we’re hoping to use David’s computer expertise in the management of the Simply Living website.
Paisley Nash-Dooley
The second new Board Member is Paisley Nash-Dooley, who just joined the Board earlier this month. She has been a business member of Simply Living for several years and has volunteered with the organization’s annual Garden Tour, supporting efforts to connect the community with sustainable living practices.
Paisley Nash-Dooley
Paisley is the owner of City Folks, a small business focused on helping urban residents grow food and strengthen connections to local food systems. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Sunbury Urban Farm, where she works to expand access to fresh food, gardening education, and regenerative growing practices.
Through her work and volunteer efforts, Paisley is passionate about strengthening local food systems, supporting community resilience, and making sustainable living more practical and accessible for everyone.
We Are Seeking More Board Members
Simply Living’s Bylaws state that its Board of Directors should consist of between 7 and 13 members, though 7 is a recommended minimum and not a strict requirement. With the addition of David & Paisley, Simply Living’s Board of Directors stands at 6 members. So, we are looking to add at least 1 more member to the Board.
A director must be a member of Simply Living (or be willing to become a member) and must be committed to its mission and willing to actively engage in supporting the organization’s goals. If you would like to become involved with Simply Living as a Director, we would be glad to accept your application. Contact Lenn Black at le...@simplyliving.org for more information.
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