Bioneers is a nonprofit educational organization that highlights social and scientific innovations inspired by nature and human creativity. Bioneers provides the tools and inspiration to help people connect with each other and catalyze positive change in their own communities.

The nonprofit organization is hosting the national Bioneers Conference in California for its 20th year. Its acclaimed annual national conference brings together people passionate about making a difference and serves as an incubator for new strategies for just and sustainable change.

The first Three Rivers Bioneers (3RB) Conference, a satellite conference, takes place this October 16-18, 2009 at the Pittsburgh Project on the Northside. The 3RB Conference is a leading-edge forum highlighting breakthrough solutions for restoring people and planet. Providing a space to learn, network and reflet, 3RB is an incubator for ideas and strategies that inspire positive change. A youth studio, activist network room, and peace garden complement the daily workshops and speakers.

The 3RB Conference will also feature local eladers in the areas of green jobs, sustainable agriculture, and environmental restoration. Among the local presenters will be keynote speakers Khari Mosley, Pittsburgh’s liason for Van Jones’ organization Green for All, and Greg Boulos, Western Region Director of Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA). In addition, ELDI’s Sustainable Policy Coordinator Nathan Wildfire will speak at the conference on green infrastructure for stormwater mitigation. To view a full list of national and local presenters, visist www.3riversbioneers.org. Registration is open and a discounted early bird rate is available until October 20. You can register at www.3riversbioneers.org/registration.