by Celina Dietzel '17

The 2017 Prairie Fire Bioneers Conference engaged the community in conversations about the impact of society on the environment and challenged attendees to think critically about plausible solutions.

"So much of activism is just building a community and getting to know people and getting to trust them. Then, eventually you can work together to make a difference," said Ben Farrer, professor of environmental studies. Many of the workshops touched on the cultural and political aspects associated with environmentalism, topics that Farrer also explores in his classes The Politics of Climate Change and Environmentalism in Democratic Countries.

The conference drew 175 Knox students, staff, and community members for the weekend. The conference events, spread over three days, included live music and poetry, interactive workshops, guest speakers, and plenary speakers who presented at the 2016 National Bioneers Conference in California.

Miranda Corbett ‘18 said her favorite part of the weekend was the interactive workshops.

"I really appreciated the opportunity to hear from the local speakers," she said. "It brought the conference to life."

Conference workshops included "Food Justice: Classism and Other Taboo Topics" led by Knox staff member diana Mackin and "Defending the Common Good: What I learned about running for office and why getting involved in politics matters now more than ever," led by John Curtis of Barefoot Gardens. Al Eastman, director of the archery program at the American Indian Center in Chicago, gave the keynote presentation "Mni Wiconi, Water is Life: Solidarity with Standing Rock" on Saturday evening.

"John Curtis' discussions on how communities can organize to defend the public good as well as Al Eastman's keynote speech on the importance of activism in driving divestment in the Dakota Access Pipeline made me feel, despite my fears about the future of the environment, that I have power to influence change in Galesburg and beyond," Corbett said.

This year's conference also provided meals to those who preregistered, providing a space for discussion and reflection.

"I've always left Bioneers inspired," Corbett said. "But this time I felt more empowered about the change we can make in our communities."

The Prairie Fire Bioneers Conference was made possible by contributions from the Knox College Dean of Students, Radish Magazine, Q's Cafe, and baked (pizza) and hosted by the Office of Sustainability and the Department of Environmental Studies.