Lingo!

Does community build language or does language build community?

Our community has developed a long list of commonly-used terms, which is awesome!

But also we know that when you’re a newbie to our community, those terms can be a barrier to belonging.

We hate that!

We believe there should be no barriers to our community!

We want you to know and feel like you belong here as quickly as possible.

So here is a list of terms you may hear at our community actions that may be new to you.

Bioregion

Noun: a region defined by characteristics of the natural environment rather than by human-made divisions.

Community

Noun: Every living being in your bioregion.

GMO

Noun: An acronym for “Genetically Modified Organism.” We try to avoiding using genetically modified organisms at Sustain DuPage. GMO’s should really be called “LMO’s” for “Lab Modified Organisms.” GMO’s are a kind of plant whose genetics have been altered in a science laboratory. Sometimes GMO plants have transgenic DNA (DNA taken from other species of animals/plants/fungi/bacteria/etc). This technology is incredibly new and has not been greatly studied over the course of time. Those who are well-versed in the “Precautionary Principle” consider these lab-inserted genetics as contamination or genetic pollution that may have unforeseen consequences in the ecosystem over time. It is important to note that there does not exist a national nor international panel of oversight on the bioethical implications of genetically modifying organisms. Not a hybrid. Not an heirloom. 

Heirloom

Noun: A kind of plant whose seeds when harvested will “breed true” to the parent plant, resulting in a baby plant whose characteristics will be largely similar to the parent plant. Not a hybrid. Not a GMO. 

Hybrid

Noun: When two heirloom plants are “force-bred” or “crossed” together, the resulting baby plant can sometimes demonstrate something called “hybrid vigor.” The baby plant may demonstrate favorable qualities like being extra disease-resistant, or producing larger fruit, etc. However, if you try to save seed from this baby plant, it will not “breed true” to the parent plants. The seed saved from a force-bred/crossed plant will result in many variations of new plants- most of which will not have hybrid vigor. Some of the qualities of the two original heirloom plants you crossed may not all be present in these new baby plants. This makes them less dependable over time. Not heirloom. Not GMO. 

Hydrain

Noun: As “terrain” implies many things for a landscape, “hydrain” implies many things for a waterscape. 

Individual Sustainability

Noun: The idea that the philosophy of sustainability must also apply to individual people. All human beings are born with varying limitations of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual capability. An action is not sustainable for an individual when it exceeds their mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual capacities at that time. 

Unity Decision

Noun: Unlike an “Executive Decision” (which is made by an actor on behalf of the community due to said actor’s confidence in their ability to represent the will of the community in their absense), a “Unity Decision” is a decision that requires including in the decision making process all the necessary and logical stakeholders who may be affected by the outcome of said decision.