Conversation Guide
Collaborative Land Restoration for ResilienceÂ
Rodrigo Sierra-Corona – Santa Lucia Conservancy
Valerie Small – Trees, Water, & People, Colorado State University Department of Agricultural Biology
Aubrey Streit Krug – The Land Institute
Darrell Oswold – Menoken Farm, Burleigh County Soil Conservation District
Resiliency takes a collaborative effort in any arena. The Regenerate conference has illuminated, time and time again, diversities of innovative and collaborative restoration projects. These projects work across many different ecological fields, including watershed health, ecological function, soil health, and more.Â
This panel brings together a group of folks to discuss unique and emergent forms of collaborative land restoration that are currently taking place in hopes to inspire conference participants to connect and collaborate with one another.Â
Interdependency- A form of symbiosis, of mutual benefit to parties involved. This can be between both human and non-human organisms.
Emancipatory Approach- the encouragement of people to develop the awareness that an injustice exists, and through the process of reflexivity, they can deeply examine the processes of power that create injustice to then engage in activities that will lead to equitable outcomes. Â
Indigenous Understanding- Skills and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural surroundings.Â
- In working across boundaries, what are some new or differing concepts of restoration that you have not typically considered?
- Is there anything that you are unwilling to consider? Why?
- What are ways that you or your organization create systems of reciprocity vs transactional collaborations?
- What land restoration work are you involved with (or aware of) that could benefit (or already does) from including diverse voices and ideas?
- Who needs to be more intentionally included?
- How do we, collaboratively, build on existing work toward a more equitable, biodiverse, and regenerative future?Â
- What inputs are needed?
- How does my work connect with this?
- How could my work connect more deeply into this space?
- Are there concepts/ideologies from this plenary that I should shape my work going forward?
- Conversely, are there concepts/ideologies in the way that I currently work that need to let go of? What will it take to do so?
Organizations/Projects to Check Out:
Quivira Coalition’s Carbon Ranch Initiative
New Mexico Coalition to Enhance Working Lands
Western Landowners Alliance, and their campaign for the NM Agriculture and Natural Resources Trust Fund
Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project
US Forest Service Shared Stewardship Program
Additional reading:
Books:
Grassroots: The Rise of the Radical Center by Courtney White
Revolution on the Range: The Rise of a New Ranch in the American West by Courtney White
Articles:
Conservation and Restoration of Our Precious Land
New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute on why we need to collaborate
Other Media:
Collaboration and Innovation for a Better Rural West – article with accompanying video
Relate! The Importance of Relationship in Regenerative Agriculture Panel – Regenerate 2019
Funding Sources:
Clean Water State Revolving Fund
List of funding opportunities in conservation