Article: Place-based conservation bridges new technologies with traditional knowledge

In preparation for the annual Half-Earth Day convening of scientists, advocates, community leaders, and educators, I wrote promotional articles for the E. O. Wilson Foundation. See an excerpt below, and read the full text at half-earthproject.org.

Today’s research is capturing a multi-dimensional perspective of the globe that is rapidly refining conservation. Our view of the planet has never been more expansive, nor refined. Species are adapting to changing conditions, while technology is evolving what we can see, analyze, and understand, giving us the best chance yet to make a major impact for the health of our planet and every species that shares it.

“A map is a common language” that cuts across borders and differences, Dr. Wright said. A geographic approach to biodiversity not only provides a comprehensive view of lands and waters, but can incorporate diverse perspectives of the people who live alongside them. “The essence of geography is pulling in different ways of knowing,” she added. “A geographic approach to conservation organizes and optimizes knowledge from all places.”

In the United States and North America, diverse voices and contributions are growing due to the increased inclusion of local knowledge and indigenous wisdom in policy and strategy. This overlooked perspective offers essential observations about species and landscapes, from ancestral perspectives through current cultural practices.