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Reading: The Science of Open Spaces

My late summer reading list included Charles Curtin’s book The Science of Open Spaces: Theory and Practice for Conserving Large Complex Systems (Island Press 2015). In so many ways this is the book I have been waiting for. As the title promises it tackles working on a landscape scale both on the ground, but also takes a deep scholarly dive into the theories that underpin this work – chaos, complexity and resilience to name just a few.

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Why is Funding Large Landscape Work so Darn Hard?

The major land and water conservation challenges facing the nation require action on a scale that is large and multi-jurisdictional.The benefits of landscape connectivity are resilient habitats, essential ecosystem services and stronger cultural connections. Yet, generating and sustaining funding for efforts that seek to work on a landscape scale remain daunting. Why is this case and what might be done about it?

Read More »
Credit: Harvey Locke

Large Landscape Conservation Conference: Read all about it!

Just out is “Expanding Horizons,” a report on the highlights of the National Workshop on Large Landscape Conservation (October 23-24, 2014). It includes information on pressing issues discussed at the conference including: ecosystem services, cultural heritage preservation, conservation in metropolitan regions and, of course, the overarching issue of climate change.

Read More »

Reading: The Science of Open Spaces

My late summer reading list included Charles Curtin’s book The Science of Open Spaces: Theory and Practice for Conserving Large Complex Systems (Island Press 2015). In so many ways this is the book I have been waiting for. As the title promises it tackles working on a landscape scale both on the ground, but also takes a deep scholarly dive into the theories that underpin this work – chaos, complexity and resilience to name just a few.

Read More »

Why is Funding Large Landscape Work so Darn Hard?

The major land and water conservation challenges facing the nation require action on a scale that is large and multi-jurisdictional.The benefits of landscape connectivity are resilient habitats, essential ecosystem services and stronger cultural connections. Yet, generating and sustaining funding for efforts that seek to work on a landscape scale remain daunting. Why is this case and what might be done about it?

Read More »
Credit: Harvey Locke

Large Landscape Conservation Conference: Read all about it!

Just out is “Expanding Horizons,” a report on the highlights of the National Workshop on Large Landscape Conservation (October 23-24, 2014). It includes information on pressing issues discussed at the conference including: ecosystem services, cultural heritage preservation, conservation in metropolitan regions and, of course, the overarching issue of climate change.

Read More »