A participant-powered, four-day gathering to strengthen the relationships, shared learning, and collaboration needed to grow a regenerative Northeast bioregion.
Join land stewards, intentional communities, organizers, artists, educators, healers, builders, funders, and families as we connect across projects, share resources, and build the relationships that make regional resilience possible.
Whether you're already rooted in a community or land project, or looking for your place in this growing movement, you're welcome here.
Convergence of Intentional Communities, Bioregional Gathering, and It Takes a Village Education and Music Fest
September 10–13, 2026 · Sirius Intentional Community · Shutesbury, MA
Hosted by Sirius Community in partnership with Permatours, the Foundation for Intentional Community, and the Convergence of Intentional Communities Planning Committee.
Community, Mutual Aid, and Bioregional Resilience. A participant-powered, four-day gathering to strengthen the relationships, shared learning, and collaboration needed to grow a regenerative Northeast bioregion.
Join land stewards, intentional communities, organizers, artists, educators, healers, builders, funders, and families as we connect across projects, share resources, and build the relationships that make regional resilience possible.
Whether you're already rooted in a community or land project, or looking for your place in this growing movement, you're welcome here.
From Community to Bioregion to Celebration
Each day widens the circle.
We begin by strengthening relationships among intentional communities and land-based projects, expand into collaboration with bioregional organizations and regenerative initiatives, and conclude with a day of music, art, and celebration that honors the culture, connections, and collective future we're building together.
Convergence of Intentional Communities (CIC)
Thursday, September 10 & Friday, September 11
Strong communities need strong regional networks.
Created by and for people living in intentional communities, ecovillages, cohousing neighborhoods, living cooperatives, religious communities, and land-based projects, the Convergence of Intentional Communities cultivates relationships, shared learning, and systems of mutual aid across the Northeast.
We'll carry forward the spirit of previous CIC gatherings through community introductions, needs-and-offers exchanges, project presentations, practical problem-solving, and conversations about how we can better support one another across communities. Participants will have opportunities to learn about existing projects, explore pathways into community living, and build relationships that extend beyond the gathering itself.
Programming will be participant-driven and co-created, with plenty of space for informal networking, evening activities, and meaningful connection.
Bioregional Gathering
Saturday, September 12
On Saturday, the gathering expands to welcome bioregional organizing groups, regenerative projects, worker cooperatives, mutual aid networks, educational institutions, land stewardship initiatives, food sovereignty efforts, solidarity economy projects, restorative justice organizations, Indigenous-led initiatives, and other values-aligned partners from across the Northeast.
Through project showcases, presentations, workshops, skill-shares, and facilitated networking, we'll explore how communities and organizations can collaborate more effectively to strengthen regional resilience.
This day is designed to help participants discover shared goals, exchange resources, build strategic partnerships, and support the growing ecosystem of regenerative work already taking root throughout the region.
The learning continues into the evening with opportunities for music, social connection, and celebration.
It Takes a Village: Education, Music & Celebration
Sunday, September 13
After three days of relationship-building, learning, and collaboration, we close the weekend in celebration.
It Takes a Village brings together live music, educational offerings, local food vendors and artisans, family and children's programming, healing arts, and interactive experiences in a joyful gathering open to the wider community.
The day will also include dedicated unconference space, creating opportunities for participants to host spontaneous workshops, discussions, skill-shares, and conversations inspired by the relationships and ideas that emerged throughout the Convergence. Whether you're sharing a project, exploring a challenge, or gathering collaborators around a new possibility, the unconference offers a place for participant-led learning and connection.
More than a festival, it's a celebration of the relationships, projects, and possibilities cultivated throughout the Convergence—a chance to experience the culture of connection, creativity, and collective care that sustains this work for the long term.
Why Bioregional?
A bioregion is defined not by political boundaries, but by the living systems that connect a place—its watersheds, forests, soils, and communities.
We gather in the Forests of the Northeast because regeneration is rooted in place. Lasting solutions emerge from strong local relationships and the communities that share a landscape.
Our society doesn't just need resilient communities—it needs resilient networks between them.
This Convergence is designed to strengthen those networks by helping communities, projects, and organizations share knowledge, resources, labor, and support. More than a weekend gathering, it's an opportunity to build lasting relationships and systems of mutual aid that continue long after we return home.
What to Expect
Because much of the event is co-created, programming will continue to evolve. Topics may include:
Permaculture Design & Food Sovereignty
Natural Building & Ecological Infrastructure
Water Systems & Renewable Energy
Governance & Conflict Transformation
Community Land Trusts & Cooperative Models
Restorative Economics & Regenerative Finance
Indigenous Stewardship & Land Rematriation
Herbalism, Healing Arts & Somatic Practices
Family & Intergenerational Programming
Communication & Relational Skills
Music, Art, Storytelling & Cultural Celebration
Mapping Our Regional Network
Throughout the gathering, we'll collaboratively map the people, projects, communities, needs, and resources present.
By making visible what we're building, what we're seeking, and what we're able to offer, we can identify opportunities for collaboration and strengthen the web of support across the region long after the event concludes.
Who This Is For
Intentional communities, ecovillages, cohousing neighborhoods, cooperatives, and stewards of regenerative land projects
Land stewards, farmers, and ecological practitioners
Mutual aid organizers and community builders
Food sovereignty, restorative justice, and solidarity economy initiatives
Educators, researchers, and students
Artists, musicians, storytellers, and healers
Funders, technologists, and solution-builders supporting community-led transformation
Youth, elders, families, and anyone seeking meaningful connection and a role in building a more regenerative future
Help Shape the Gathering
We're inviting participants to co-create the event by:
Offering a workshop, training, or discussion
Sharing music, art, or cultural offerings
Presenting a project or initiative
Volunteering behind the scenes
Supporting childcare, logistics, or hospitality
Simply showing up with curiosity and a willingness to connect
Together we'll create a gathering that reflects the strengths, needs, and aspirations of our region.
Logistics at a Glance
Tickets: Sliding-scale passes are available for the full 4 days, or for individual sub-events: CIC (Thursday and Friday), Bioregional Gathering (Saturday), and It Takes a Village or Education and Music Fest (Sunday). The CIC is currently invitation-only, intended for those living in intentional community in the Forest of the Northeast Bioregion. If this portion of the event calls to you and you haven't received an invite, please reach out tobrandon.collins@siriuscommunity.org orgabriel.futterman@siriuscommunity.org
*Work-Trade: Limited work-trade tickets are available.
Apply herefor work-trade opportunities.
*Scholarships: Limited financial assistance and reduced-cost registrations will be available, prioritizing BIPOC access.
Apply herefor a Scholarship.
Lodging: Tent camping, tent platforms, and indoor accommodations available. Lodging information and pricing will be available on the registration page.
Meals: Vegetarian meals with gluten-free and dairy-free options. Meals are included in the CIC portion of the event, and can be purchased separately for Saturday and Sunday.
Children: Family-friendly programming and childcare support will be available.
Accessibility: Limited ADA-accessible facilities available onsite.
Dog Policy: No dogs allowed. Service dogs only.
Join Us
The Forests of the Northeast Convergence is a space for learning, connection, collaboration, and celebration.
Come build relationships. Share your gifts. Strengthen the network.
Let's build a resilient Forests of the Northeast Bioregion together.
We want to hear from you. In the forms linked above, please tell us who you are, what you’re passionate about, and what you’d like to bring.
This helps us shape the gathering with you.
We also welcome aligned sponsors, foundations, and community partners to help us make this gathering more accessible, equitable, and impactful.
IF COST IS A BARRIER:
We’re committed to making this Convergence a welcoming and accessible space for all, and especially want to uplift BIPOC community members in this gathering. If cost is a barrier, we’re offering a limited number of discounted registrations to support your participation. Contact Scotty at scotty@permatours.org by Aug 12th to inquire.
PERMATOURS EVENT AGREEMENTS:
We value active participation in all facets of Earth Care, People Care, Fair Share.
We treat the land and all beings with love and respect.
We do not tolerate hate language, discrimination, or violence of any kind.
We support an accessible and equitable environment for all beings.
Equality is not an assumption, and we strive to promote equitable access.
Consent is required for all: commitments (including time/energy expectations), verbal interactions, physical contact, emotional support, desire for intimacy, etc.
We encourage curiosity to be a leader against assumptions.
We support the use of the acronym FRIES to share concisely that consent is:
F - freely given
R - reversible
I - informed
E - enthusiastic
S - specific
Permatours is dedicated to holding containers (intentional spaces) that remain free of alcohol, powders, pills, and gasses. Your presence, in times of joy and difficulty, is welcome here!
We support a space of interdependence, and mutual aid. We trust that when we arrive and are able to do for ourselves what we can, with the inter-standing we may not be able to do everything, we are better aligned to receive the aid we truly need, and aid others in areas of their needs. Building mutually beneficial relationships and working together in symbiosis are key aspects of being able to thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually, as a community.
We support a space of radical self-reliance, encouraging everyone to show up able to meet most, if not all, of their own needs. The community is here to support them when/if needed.
We observe the 4 Agreements, with the inclusion of the 5th Agreement, by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Be impeccable with your word.
Don’t take anything personally.
Don’t make any assumptions.
Always do your best.
Be skeptical, but learn to listen
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ABOUT PERMATOURS
Permatours offers hands-on permaculture action experiences that nurture the regeneration of self, communities, and the Earth.
Our events support mutual aid and wisdom-sharing across the Northeast Bioregion and beyond.
Permaculture principles grounding our work include earth care, people care, and fair care.
At Permatours, we believe everyone has something valuable to offer, and we invite you to bring your skills, creativity, and heart to help grow this movement.
If you're called to co-create regenerative experiences and community-powered change, we’d love to connect. Permatours.org