The lab

A playground for bioregional innovation

The Lab is where we experiment, explore, and develop new ways to shape resilient actions in South Devon and beyond. It’s a space for collaboration, curiosity and creativity – where ideas take shape, partnerships flourish and solutions take root.

Explore our areas of focus
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Art + ecology

We have begun an enquiry into the role of art + ecology within our work and within the bioregion. The impetus comes from The Saltmarsh Artist Collective; 6 artists collaborating within the container of a BLC ecosystems restoration project, The Saltmarsh Project, working alongside 13 partners. We are creating a space for this enquiry in the Lab, currently hosting creative meet-ups to discuss and open up possibilities.

Bioregional banquet

Evolving from a report researched and written by former BLC Associate Samson Hart, we are bringing the concept of a Bioregional Banquet into The Lab to move it from feasibility and planning to ideation and art direction. More than just a celebratory meal, within it will be a process for discussion, connecting and planning ahead. We will facilitate it so a pathway to action and a network emerges. Our role will be to hold the network in partnership with others.

Bioregional governance

Effective governance is essential for bioregional health. This category explores innovative models of collaboration, participatory decision-making and policies that align human systems with ecological realities.

Bioregional health

-

Ecosystem restoration

Restoring ecosystems is at the heart of creating a regenerative future. This category covers projects from saltmarsh restoration to urban green space regeneration, highlighting our efforts to repair and reconnect the vital natural systems that support biodiversity and community well-being.

Learning network

-

South Devon strategies

-

Storytelling

We have been unveiling facts, data, images and stories about the bioregion since BLC emerged back in 2017. It's how you reach people. Now, in The Lab, we are getting to know our bioregion better, starting by pooling all the ways we have envisioned or implemented to understand, explain, question, understand, sense or embody the bioregion.

12.19.24

Imagining a Fellini film... 8 1/2?

12.19.24

Imagining a Fellini film... 8 1/2?

Tuscany film projector
Art + ecology
12.19.24

Where the River Meets the Sea II - Christian de Sousa

Art + ecology
12.19.24

Where the River Meets the Sea II - Christian de Sousa

Ecology + Music
Art + ecology
12.19.24

Bringing the Dart into the room

Art + ecology
12.19.24

Bringing the Dart into the room

Voices of Dart jar
Art + ecology
2.19.25

It's a process of trust and value redefinition

Exploring the relationship of art and ecology with a bioregional framing

Art + ecology
2.19.25

Exploring the relationship of art and ecology with a bioregional framing

a+e Zoom Feb 18
Storytelling
12.19.24

Take strength from the granite

Storytelling
12.19.24

Take strength from the granite

Dartmoor mist
Art + ecology
2.21.25

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

- Thomas Merton

Art + ecology
2.21.25

- Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton
Learning network
12.19.24

How do you know you're in your bioregion?

Learning network
12.19.24

How do you know you're in your bioregion?

Dart reflections
Storytelling
12.19.24

Is this what happens to stories?

Storytelling
12.19.24

Is this what happens to stories?

Nailed to a hoarding
Art + ecology
2.21.25

Every painting is always two paintings: The one you see, and the one you remember.

- Siri Hustvedt

Art + ecology
2.21.25

- Siri Hustvedt

Siri Hustvedt
Art + ecology
12.19.24

Artist Clare Parker at BLC's creative meet-up

Art + ecology
12.19.24

Artist Clare Parker at BLC's creative meet-up

Clare workshop
Art + ecology
2.19.25

The bioregion... not a new twist on a story, something we are in, living with, have been with for a long time

- Mark Leahy, artist

Art + ecology
2.19.25

- Mark Leahy, artist

Mark Leahy Quote
Bioregional banquet
2.17.25

Transforming learning into a banquet

Bioregional banquet
2.17.25

Transforming learning into a banquet

Apricot Centre
Art + ecology
2.21.25

Artist Beth Heaney explores the saltmarsh edge

Art + ecology
2.21.25

Artist Beth Heaney explores the saltmarsh edge

Beth's river
Bioregional banquet
12.19.24

Mycorrhizae loss in the soil will have significant impacts on growth

Food and farming culture

Bioregional banquet
12.19.24

Food and farming culture

Food and farming culture
Art + ecology
2.21.25

Where will Art + Ecology take us next?

Art + ecology
2.21.25

Where will Art + Ecology take us next?

Mary and boot
Bioregional banquet
2.17.25

Polyphenols (mg/kg) 429

Bioregional banquet
2.17.25

Polyphenols (mg/kg) 429

Tuscan olive oil