Abstract
McMillen, H. L., L. K. Campbell, E. S. Svendsen, K. Kealiikanakaoleohaililani, K. S. Francisco, and C. P. Giardina. 2020. Biocultural stewardship, Indigenous and local ecological knowledge, and the urban crucible. Ecology and Society 25(2):9. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11386-250209
Highlights
Merriam-Webster defines “crucible” as a “place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development.” In this regard, urban environments are very much places where forces are concentrated, forming centers that cause or influence change
Our collaborative projects include stewardship trainings based in a Native Hawaiian perspective (HālauŌhia) that were adapted for New York City stewardship practitioners (Learning from Place) and subsequently inspired the creation of a New York City-based community of practice (Stewardship Salons)
We explore urban centers as crucibles where intense forces drive the mixing of biocultural elements; we do so with the hope that this article can catalyze the creation of new models that enhance the well-being and resilience of urban social-ecological systems
Summary
Merriam-Webster defines “crucible” as a “place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development.” In this regard, urban environments are very much places where forces are concentrated, forming centers that cause or influence change. In considering the crucible as a “vessel of a very refractory material used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat,” the word becomes an apt metaphor for the urban landscape as an enduring physical vessel where over time and under intense social pressure, different groups interact to create something novel. For these reasons, we use the crucible as a metaphor for describing urban biocultural stewardship. We explore urban centers as crucibles where intense forces drive the mixing of biocultural elements; we do so with the hope that this article can catalyze the creation of new models that enhance the well-being and resilience of urban social-ecological systems
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
