Judith D. Schwartz – Reindeer Chronicles

The story gelled on a trip to Norway says author Judith Schwartz. She went there to talk about indigenous knowledge and, in return, learned about reindeer. She explains to Designers of Paradise host Erik van Lennep these stories guided the themes of earth repair and ecological restoration that run through her latest book, Reindeer Chronicles.

The two old friend’s discussion covers the intimate connection between water and soil; the role of functioning ecosystems to address climate change; the difference between thinking about abundance from deliberate use of energy as contrasted with a fear-driven scarcity narrative of traditional industrial agriculture; and the importance of indigenous peoples, like the Sámi in Norway, to the restoration of healthy ecological systems.

In addition to Norway, Judy tells stories about her travel to Maui to witness the transition from a plantation-driven agriculture and of John Lui’s documentation of change on the Loess Plateau that has helped inspire the development of ecosystem restoration camps.

Also check out Erik’s interview with Judy from last year, Getting Personal About Land Change.

Links and references:

• Judy’s website with links to her books including
  • Water in Plain Sight
  • Cows Save the Planet
  • The Reindeer Chronicles
• Norway
  • Sámi herders 
  • The Alta Dam Controversy
• Maui
  • land purchaser Mahi Pono
  • Forestry Manager, Koa Hewahewa
•  Director of the CEAM, Millán Millán
• John D. Liu
  • and Ecosystem restoration camps
  • including Camp Altiplano

• Pleistocene Park

• Ánde Somby – “When a Predator Culture meets a Prey Culture”  (video 45′) 

• and more on buffalo – Erik’s interview with Mimi Hillenbrand, “They’re Hard on Fences”

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