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From the Forest
Floor. Pye-Smith, C. 2005. New Scientist. pp. 50-53. (Journal article)
The debate over the value of
nature’s resources is daunting. How do we measure the value of nature
in a tangible way? Pye-Smith tells us that native rainforest cultures
have an acute understanding and value for the unique and important
tropical ecosystem. A team of scientists from the Center for
International Forestry Research (CIFOR), working with native tribes, set
a course to value the products of the rainforest that are used on a
daily basis for medicines, fabric, food and livelihood. The result was
a deeper understanding of how biodiversity plays a key role in the lives
of these human beings. Retaining biodiversity doesn’t just promote a
healthy ecosystem for plants and animals, but also shapes the health,
land use, behavior, and survival of our social fabric.
Lessons from native cultures in
existing sustainable systems elude to the fact that human intervention
is not only required but managed in such a way that humanity takes only
what it needs and does not over-extract to the point that it can no
longer sustain itself. Over-extraction examples include the
rainforests, referenced in this book, where deforestation is allowed by
various Latin American governments’ that use laissez faire policies.
These policies in combination with Northern Hemisphere market demands
(including USA) have created negative pressure on biodiversity by
consumption. Portland homeowners, inspired to buy less of such
products, can have a positive impact on sustainability issues outside of
our area. We found this an important reference for reading.
Cost of preservation efforts is
one of the reasons that biodiversity is so debated. This website
provides tools and resources that enable us to achieve financial goals
yet still function in an environmentally friendly way. The site
features “Investing with Your Values”, “Making Money and Making a
Difference,” “Seven Steps of Natural Investing,” the “Wheel of Natural
Investing”, and the “Green Money Journal”. Socially responsible
investing is a way for homeowners and renters to make sustainable
choices by supporting eco-friendly businesses.
Windstar Wildlife Institute,
established in 1986, filled a perceived need for good wildlife and
wildlife habitat information for property owners. It has since evolved
to an accessible website for the public, better capable of providing
specific methods to attract wildlife to your property. Enthusiasts of
the fact that each different critter requires a different combination of
elements, they provide tips that can mean the difference between seeing
just a few animals or a large range of species. Four areas are
considered, food, water, cover, and space. Additionally, the American
Wildlife blog gives plans for attracting and maintaining particular
species of birds and plants.
Windstar also offers courses on
how to get your land certified as a wildlife habitat, and how to become
a wildlife habitat naturalist. This is a good place to start if you are
looking for a new way to enjoy your yard, property or the outdoors in a
way that creates healthy habitat for wildlife, people, and plants.
Gaia’s Garden: A Guide
to Home-Scale Permaculture, 3rd ed. Hemenway, T. 2001. Chelsea
Green. pp. 220. (Book)
If you know nothing about
permaculture or even if you know a lot about permaculture, be sure to
read this book. Realistic and practical, this book is an inspiration.
Hemenway is easy-to-follow and understand, scientifically-grounded, and
technically-sound in his explanations. Each chapter is loaded with
interesting information that it is hard to pick one over the other as
being better to read. Take the introductory first chapter for example:
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Gardens that Really Work
with Nature
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Why Is Gardening So Much
Work?
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Beyond — Way Beyond —
Natural Gardening
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The Natives versus Exotics
Debate
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Making the Desert Bloom,
Sustainablely
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Sidebar: What Is
Permaculture?
Chelsea Green, the publisher of
Gaia’s Garden, claims to be the pre-eminent producer of books on
sustainability. You may want to check out the other sustainable
publications listed on
www.chelseagreen.com/about. | |
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