“The Cascadia flag conveys something more tangible than an abstract concept of demarcation of space. It is not a flag of blood nor of the glory of a nation, but a love of the bioregion; our ecological family, natural boundaries & the place in which we live & love.”

– Alexander Baretich

About the Cascadia Flag

The Cascadia Doug flag is a symbol for the natural beauty and inspiration that the Pacific Northwest provides, and is a direct representation of the bioregion.

Designed in 1994 by Portland native Alexander Baretich, the blue of the flag represents the moisture-rich sky above, and the Pacific Ocean, along with the Salish Sea, lakes, and inland waters. Our home is a place of continuous cascading waters flowing from the Pacific to the western slopes of the Rockies and Cascades where water cycles back to the Pacific. The white represents snow and clouds, and the green represents the evergreen forests and fields of the Pacific Northwest. The lone-standing Douglas Fir symbolizes endurance, defiance, and resilience. All these symbols come together to symbolize what being Cascadian is all about.

A Bioregional Symbol

The Cascadia Flag represents the value of bioregionalism, and building healthy, bioregional movements and communities. It is not a flag of nationalism, or division or exclusion, but rather, one of thousands, of the different communities, ecoregions and watersheds that make up our movement and organization.

We hope that as a bioregional symbol, every community, ecoregion, watershed, business and cause will adopt and adapt the Doug Flag to their own purposes in line with these bioregional values. By using the Doug Flag, and the green white and blue, we show a shared regional identity, and that we share common beliefs, dreams and principles. The Cascadia Doug flag is also a symbol against hate. The Cascadia movement works to partner with and create a safe space for frontline and traditionally marginalized communities and voices. We reject all forms of hate, prejudice, and believe in an inclusive movement, that shows the beauty of this region, it’s people and our incredible diversity.

We reject racism, hate, fear, sexism, white supremacy, or any type of discrimination based on sexual orientation, religion, personal beliefs or choices, and these stances are reflected at every level. We look forward to building a coalition movement that empowers every person and community, and provides space for indigenous, POC, and traditionally marginalized communities, and of course the millions of amazing Cascadians who live here, to advocate with their own voices, find solidarity and support, and break down boundaries which are harmful and negative.

What is the Cascadia Flag Legal Defense Fund?

The Cascadia LDF was started after alt-right and white supremacists tried to co-opt the Cascadian Flag in 2017. In addition, we are working with Alexander to halt a proliferation of large corporations – from Walmart, to Alibaba, Amazon and DHGate from pirating the Cascadia Flag, and making sure that when people use it for private commercial gain, that they get permission, and that Alexander is compensated in some way. Our goal is to make sure the Cascadian flag remains free to use for educational and noncommercial use, while remaining a strong bioregional symbols for the values on which it stands.

The Cascadia Flag Legal Defense Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit program of the Department of Bioregion, in partnership with Alexander Baretich and the Cascadian Flag Cooperative, Inc. to protect the Cascadia flag as a bioregional symbol, and ensure that any use is in line with the bioregional principles and Cascadian movement that it stands for.

Our primary focuses are:

  • Making sure that the Cascadia flag meets certain ethical, environmental and sustainable principles when in commercial use, and that it is not co-opted or pirated by organizations, groups or individuals not representing the values of the Cascadian Bioregional Flag.
  • Making sure that Alexander Baretich, the designer of the Cascadia Bioregional Flag, and his company the Cascadian Flag Cooperative, Inc receive appropriate compensation for commercial use of the flag.
  • Providing high quality digital assets for approved vendors.
  • Managing a directory of approved vendors.
  • Providing legal protections for people using the Cascadia flag and within the Cascadian movement.

The Cascadia Doug Flag is a symbol that represents the Cascadia Movement and our bioregion. It is a grassroots, and people powered brand for every person interested in protecting our bioregion, improving our livelihood, and helping make the world a better place.

We are Cascadian, and together, we are the Cascadia Movement.