Being in Right Relationship

Within every project, partnership, and proof point of Regenerative California’s work is a guiding principle of  being “in right relationship.” Right relationship is the understanding that our future depends on how we relate to one another, to the land, to the ocean, and to the living systems that sustain us. It’s not just a value, it’s a way of being. Being in right relationship is a commitment to listening first, acting with humility, making genuine connections, and remembering that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Also integral to being in right relationship is the ability to work through the inevitable hard conversations, disagreements, and competing beliefs and agendas. We must create as much space and care for our differences as we do for our similarities.

In practice, right relationship means our work begins with community. We don’t arrive with a blueprint, we arrive with curiosity. We invest in trust before transactions, and we focus on what’s already working and those that are stewarding that work. Whether we’re advancing attainable housing, building a resilient, healthy local food system, or uplifting thriving livelihoods, we see our role as connective tissue that brings people together across sectors and cultures to create shared solutions rooted in place.

When relationships are strong, systems can evolve. When communities are centered, solutions are born and can grow over time. When we honor the wisdom of those who have cared for the land and waters for generations, we unlock a deeper kind of prosperity grounded in reciprocity, responsibility, and collective well-being. 

When relationships are strong, systems can evolve. When communities are centered, solutions are born and can grow over time. When we honor the wisdom of those who have cared for the land and waters for generations, we unlock a deeper kind of prosperity grounded in reciprocity, responsibility, and collective well-being. In a world that moves fast, choosing to slow down, listen deeply, and build trust is not a detour. It is the work.

"How we see ourselves in relation to the world around us is core to addressing the environmental and social crises we face.” — Erin Myers Madeira, Founder, Collaborative for Right Relations 

In partnership,
Kristin Coates and the Regenerative California Team