"Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach." - Tony Robbins
I am committed to protecting NH's forests but after 20 years of focusing on forest health, I am trying a new approach and will be monitoring conservation easements for The Monadnock Conservancy as their new Stewardship Assistant. I'm thrilled for the opportunity to help protect land and work with a team of exceptional people.
Returning land to tribes is a step towards justice and #sustainability, say #Wabanaki, #EnvironmentalActivists
by Emily Weyrauch, December 1, 2020
"Last month, the Elliotsville Foundation gave back 735 acres to the #PenobscotNation, a parcel of land that connects two Penobscot-held land plots. While this return of land is a significant milestone in terms of the work of conservation groups in Maine, it also reflects a larger shift in thinking about land ownership, from property and caretaking toward #IndigenousStewardship.
"Before European settlers arrived, the land in Maine was stewarded by the Wabanaki people—a confederacy of five nations including Penobscot, #Passamaquoddy, #Maliseet, #Mikmaq and #Abenaki.
"Early treaties between Indigenous tribes and settlers were signed, but not upheld. Early Maine court cases set the precedent for #LandTheft. The state legally prohibited treaty obligations from being published in its constitution. Ever since the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act, the state government has significantly limited tribes’ sovereignty and access to ancestral lands. Now, the Maine legislature is preparing to take up a bill that would make 22 law changes to the 1980 act to promote Wabanaki sovereignty and correct the impacts of the 40-year-old piece of legislation that placed Wabanaki people in a separate category from other federally-recognized tribes.
"Currently, a vast majority—90 percent—of land in Maine is privately owned, unlike in states like Nevada, Utah and Idaho, where the vast majority of land is owned by the U.S. government. Less than one percent of Maine land is owned by #Wabanaki people.
"To many Indigenous people, the legacy of white-led conservation groups in Maine and nationwide represents a failure of true environmental stewardship.
"'Across the country, land conservation groups and land trusts participated in depopulating, cutting off Indigenous access to certain lands and resources,' said Dr. Darren Ranco, associate professor of Anthropology and coordinator of Native American Research at the University of Maine.
"Dr. Ranco said that the history of environmental protection in the U.S. starts in the 19th century and focuses on two movements: conservation and preservation.
" 'On the one hand, you have people saying, ‘You want to use the public lands wisely’ — and that often led to extreme forms of exploitation through oil and gas contracts. The other side of it was, ‘Let’s just keep it wild and preserve it as-is, as a wild space,' " said Dr. Ranco, who is a member of the Penobscot Nation. 'Ironically, both of those approaches in the 19th century sought to displace Indigenous people.'
" 'A lot of the [conservation] practices in the past actually marginalized native people, and didn’t allow for their voice to be heard, and discouraged their voices,' said Suzanne Greenlaw, a #Maliseet forestry scientist and PhD student at the University of Maine.
" 'The native approach is very much in the center—we do harvest, but we harvest in a sustainable way that actually forms a relationship with the resource,” said Greenlaw, who conducts research on the sustainable harvesting of sweetgrass by Indigenous people.
"In fact, the way that Indigenous people understand land is markedly different from western ideas of ownership.
" 'The idea of private property puts us in this framing where the land, the water, and the air, and the animals, and everything else—all our relations—are meant to serve us, they are things below us, things to dominate and control and take ownership over,' said Lokotah Sanborn, a Penobscot activist.
" 'For us, it would be absurd to say ‘I own my grandmother,’ or ‘I own my cousin,’ or ‘I own my brother.’ You don’t talk about things like that. And so when we’re talking about land ownership, it’s that same idea —these are our relations, these are things that hold a lot of significance to us,' said Sanborn.
"While the planet’s Indigenous people make up less than five percent of the global population, they manage 25 percent of its land and support 80 percent of global biodiversity, research shows.
" 'We’ve been led down this path toward climate catastrophe and the extinction of millions of species, all to drive #ExtractiveIndustries,' said Sanborn. 'If we wish to reverse these things, we need to give land back into the hands of Indigenous peoples and to respect our ability to protect those lands,' said Sanborn.
"This growing recognition of Wabanaki #stewardship is part of the mission of First Light, a group that serves to connect Wabanaki people with conservation organizations who seek to expand Wabanaki access to land. Currently, 50 organizations are participating, including #MaineAudubon and #TheNatureConservancy.
"Lucas St. Clair, president of the Elliotsville Foundation, participated in First Light’s year-long educational program before fulfilling a request by #JohnBanks, Natural Resources Director for the Penobscot Nation, to return the 735-acre property to the Penobscot Nation. This comes four years after the foundation gave 87,500 acres of land to the federal government for the establishment of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. St. Clair said the foundation currently holds 35,000 acres of land.
" 'In the grand scheme of things, this is not a lot of land,' said St. Clair, about the foundation’s recent transfer of 735 acres. 'It was more about justice, relationship-building and awareness.'
" 'You see this move toward Indigenous knowledge and practices of management and conservation that have existed for hundreds of years, and this possibility with land conservation groups and Wabanaki people having a more central role in understanding and managing the lands is coming to the fore,' said Dr. Ranco.
"And while organizations undergo the learning and transformational processes that precede giving back land, and as the legislature and courts are taking up questions of Wabanaki sovereignty and stewardship, people are working on the ground everyday to re-imagine relationships with land.
"Alivia Moore, a Penobscot community organizer with the #EasternWoodlands #Rematriation collective, said that a crucial part of the work of expanding Indigenous access to land in Maine is recognizing and restoring the history of matriarchal Indigenous societies.
" 'To restore land to Indigenous #matriarchies is to make sure that everybody has what they need on and from the earth. There’s enough for everyone,' said Moore
"With #EasternWoodlandsRematriation, Indigenous people are growing their connections to #RegenerativeFoodSystems. Whereas cultural use agreements are more formal ways Indigenous people can access resources from the private land of people and organizations, Moore said other relationships can form and strengthen even informally.
"Years ago, a white farmer offered land to Indigenous women to use for farming to restore their connection to the land. That has been an ongoing relationship that became one of mutual exchange of information and resources, shared learning and shared meals, said Moore.
"The movement to give land back to Indigenous stewardship is not confined to a single organization, legal battle, or project. For Indigenous people—and a growing number of environmental organizations—it is a step toward justice and a sustainable future.
"'Land back is not just about righting past wrongs. The point of land back is that it’s the future, if we wish to adequately address and avoid further global devastation from climate change,' said Sanborn."
https://www.europesays.com/1950434/ EU moves closer to approving “fast-tracked” Omnibus package #CorporateGovernance #CSDDD #CSRD #ESG #eu #europe #stewardship #sustainability
For #permaculture and #regenerativeagriculture folks out there: As we know, #Ownership and #stewardship are not the same.
31 years of stewardship on the #dartingtontrust, home of the former #Schumachercollege
Please sign the petition today or tomorrow. Over 15,000 now.
#DuarteCA #CommunityGarden to be developed at #TzeitelParasCaracciPark
March 12, 2025
"Duarte residents will soon have a new space to grow fresh produce, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the outdoors. Last month, the Duarte City Council approved the development of the Duarte Community Garden at Tzeitel Paras-Caracci Park (2701 Royal Oaks Drive).
"'This project exemplifies our dedication to creating #sustainable, #accessible spaces for our residents,' said Mayor Cesar A. Garcia. 'This garden will not only enhance the beauty of our park but also provide a space where our community can come together, learn, and share in the joy of nature. I am excited to see this project grow and look forward to it becoming a vibrant part of our community.'
"The goal of the Duarte Community Garden is to increase #FoodSovereignty by creating garden plots for community members to grow healthy food, cultivate agricultural literacy with educational programs, gather community by creating a welcoming and accessible garden space, and perform ecosystem services by removing grass, installing a sustainable #DripIrrigation system, building a #NativeHabitatGarden, and collecting #compost.
"The garden will feature 20 plots and two #ADAAccessible raised beds, available for rent at $5 per month. Community members can plant edible (excluding smokable) plants and flowers for personal, noncommercial use. It will include a storage shed with garden tools, an irrigation system promoting sustainable practices, and ADA-accessible decomposed granite pathways.
"The garden will be run in partnership with Food Exploration and Discovery (#FoodEd), a nonprofit organization that collaborates with San Gabriel Valley communities to create edible education sites and provide programs on #ecosystem #stewardship, healthy living, #environmental innovation, and entrepreneurship.
"Food Ed’s educational model will support gardeners of all skill levels, providing supplies and plants for beginners while experienced gardeners can use their own resources. The garden will also offer picnic benches for community #gatherings and host educational programs on topics like #VegetableGardening, #composting, #DroughtTolerant landscaping, and #SoilHealth.
"As the lead on this grant project, Food Ed will be responsible for building the #DuarteCommunityGarden. This includes overseeing site construction, collecting infrastructure bids, contractor management, program management, community engagement and workshops/events, processing plot holder applications, plant and soil replenishment, above ground irrigation repairs, developing the garden’s webpage and branding and overall garden management through October of 2026.
"For more information on the Duarte Community Garden, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (626) 357-7931."
Source:
https://heysocal.com/2025/03/12/duarte-community-garden-to-be-developed-at-tzeitel-paras-caracci-park/
#ThirdSpaces #SolarPunkSunday #CommunityGardens #FoodSecurity #BuildingCommunity #California #SolarPunk #Composting
#Philippines #AgroEcology highlight from @AgroecologyMap
"Kuatro Marias' Agroecology Farm, located in San Narciso, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, is a pioneering model of sustainable agriculture in the Philippines. Established in 1998, the farm operates on the principles of agroecology, focusing on harmonizing agricultural productivity with #environmental #stewardship. With a mission rooted in #biodiversity protection and #sustainable resource use, the farm avoids synthetic chemicals, instead leveraging natural cycles to nurture its crops, livestock, and aquaculture systems. Its name symbolizes balance and sustainability, honoring the four elements and the proprietor’s four daughters.
"The farm showcases an Integrated Diversified Organic Farming System (#IDOFS), where crops, livestock, and aquaculture coexist in a symbiotic relationship. This includes a #FoodForest with diverse trees like #ube and #cinnamon, a pond supporting #tilapia and other fish, and naturally fed chickens and hogs. A unique #SeedBank ensures the preservation of genetic diversity while minimizing waste. These practices not only enhance productivity but also build resilience against climate change and natural disasters, embodying agroecological principles that prioritize soil health, ecological balance, and community well-being."
Learn more:
https://agroecologymap.org/l/kuatro-maria-s-agroecology-farm
#agroecologia #agroécologie #agrarökologie #permaculture #permacultura #permakultur #agroforestry #agrofloresta #agroforesterie #agroforstwirtschaft #sustainability #sustentabilidade #foodsystems #farming #agriculture #regenerative #SolarPunkSunday #PolyCulture
#ThrowbackThursday
4 years ago, I first met this gentle giant.
It's one of the only older Western red #cedar #trees left at #W̱MÍYEŦEN #NatureSanctuary. Most of the land had been logged more than once before it was acquired for conservation & rewilding. This is a 2nd growth cedar & it is over 150 yrs old.
The W̱MÍYEŦEN #Nature Sanctuary is a 42 acre protected forest and riparian area that supports biodiversity while preserving ecosystems and wildlife habitat. The tranquil natural environment, inspires an awareness of nature as teacher and essential ally.
https://wmiyetennaturesanctuary.com/
I'm a member of this local, biodiverse nature sanctuary. They mainly rely on memberships & public donations. They work with #Indigenous leaders/educators/naturalists from #Wsanec First Nations. The name was changed from the former Mary Lake Sanctuary to W̱MÍYEŦEN Nature Sanctuary to respect that the property is on native lands.
How to start a #co-op and #Cooperative #Land #Stewardship Models Workshop
Understand the pros and cons of various collective land ownership #legal structures and explore 10 steps to start a land based community from inception to through buying land!
February 5th, 2025
In #collaboration with Cooperate #WNC and support from Dr. Bronner's #allone
weavethepeople.info/coops
From Birds Canada: We’re excited to announce that the Chimney Swift Fund is once again accepting applications! This important initiative supports the restoration of nesting & roosting sites for this Species at Risk. Apply now! https://buff.ly/4fGjqUQ #birds #conservation #stewardship #urbanbirds
Meanwhile, here in #Maine...
Students explore nature and sustainability with #MaineLocalLivingSchool
Kingfield Elementary School students participated in an immersive day of place-based learning, guided by the Maine Local Living School, which focuses on practical skills and ecological #stewardship, and Arbor Mountain Tree Service, exploring #sustainable forestry, acorn ecology, and bridge construction.
By Rebecca Richard, December 5, 2024
KINGFIELD — "There was a whirlwind of activity last month at Kingfield Elementary School [KES] as students immersed themselves in a day of place-based learning with Maine Local Living School and Arbor Mountain Tree Service. Tailored for each grade level, the lessons highlighted ecological connections, sustainable practices and community engagement through hands-on projects.
"The Maine Local Living School, dedicated to teaching practical skills and fostering ecological stewardship, partnered with Arbor Mountain Tree Service to guide students in exploring sustainable forestry, acorn ecology and hands-on bridge construction.
"Kindergarten and first grade students worked with Chris Knapp of Maine Local Living School to explore the seasonal abundance of acorns. 'This fall was a tremendous acorn harvest,' Knapp said, explaining how the lessons tied to the season. Students acted out the germination process of an acorn and identified oak leaves using compare-and-contrast exercises.
"Knapp also emphasized the cultural significance of acorns. 'We honored the long history of peoples for whom acorn has been and is a staple crop,' he said. The day ended with students playing a food web game, simulating predator and prey roles while gathering acorns and enjoying freshly baked acorn biscuits.
"Second and fourth grade students collaborated with Knapp on constructing a community footbridge to cross a stream in the biodiversity field at the front of the school. “The footbridge project reflects Maine Local Living School’s and KES’s shared goals to engage in project-based learning,” Knapp said.
"The students began by identifying cedar trees, prized for their rot-resistant properties and thinned over 20 saplings from a dense stand. 'Students were asked to consider which trees were the best candidates for the future forest based on crown health, upright habit, and space,' Knapp explained."
Original article:
https://www.sunjournal.com/2024/12/05/students-explore-nature-and-sustainability-with-maine-local-living-school/
New publication:
"Urban rewilding for sustainability and food security"
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107410
with Alessio Russo and Mallika Sardeshpande; #openaccess
We explore how urban #rewilding can increase the operational autonomy of urban inhabitants through shared human-nonhuman co- #stewardship -- and in turn help #sustainability and #foodsecurity 
In the spirit of the week, I will answer any and all questions you have about #antibiotics.
Except for the secret ones.
Gotta' love it - the largest #Indigenous-led land #conservation initiatives in the world. Well done Indigenous nations of the #borealforest and #Canada. https://cabinradio.ca/209978/news/politics/nwt-indigenous-groups-signed-a-375m-deal-what-does-it-mean/
Parks Canada unveils new national indigenous stewardship policy
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/parks-canada-indigenous-policy-1.7364200 #ParksCanada #Indigenous #Stewardship
Be responsible about your fishing line, and clean up any you see left by anyone else. It could save an animal’s life.
#wildlife #wildlifeprotection #fishing #nature #stewardship
https://www.silive.com/news/2023/08/after-trying-to-rescue-heron-tangled-in-fishing-line-staten-islander-issues-plea-we-need-to-be-responsible.html
Nate Hagens --> The Foundational Challenge: Stewardship, Responsibility, and Designing a New System
After running down electrical problems on the ATV, we tackled invasive stilt grass, mosla (“mini beefsteak”), and found a fucking HUGE privet - it was a TREE. It evaded my gestalt ID for four years because it wasn’t bushy. 
5” diameter trunk! Sawed it down and treated the stump.
While this place is ours to care for I am determined to do what I can to help it be itself.
My largest complaint with Land Trusts, Nature Conservancies, etc. is they are so focused on buying land “to preserve it” but for them that means prevent housing developments and maintaining trails. They don’t actually *care* for the land they claim to own. The brushoff is always “not enough volunteers” but yet they happily do trail days, cleanup days, etc all year long with loads of volunteers…never once do I see a “privet management day”. You cant say there is no help when you *never asked to begin with*.
The tiny potato at the heart of one tribe’s fight against climate change
Wetlands absorb carbon from the atmosphere. The Coeur d’Alene’s restoration would do more than just that.
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