Our Vision
The Center for Humans and Nature is dedicated to the mutual well-being of human communities and the natural world. We work to define and communicate new frameworks of ethical responsibility and democratic ecological citizenship that recognize ecological realities and the implications of evolutionary science. The aim of our efforts is to build “cultures of conservation,” reflected in biological and cultural diversity, human and ecosystem health, and resilient human and natural communities.
Our Mission
The Center’s mission is to explore and promote moral and civic responsibilities to human communities and to natural ecosystems and landscapes.
An Alternative Approach to Change
The Center for Humans and Nature fosters a rare space to analyze the ethical frameworks that fundamentally shape how people think and feel about our place in nature. From the outset, the Center questions the premises that we humans are separate from nature, superior to nature, and have the right to exert unlimited control over nature. In our view, nature must be valued, respected, and represented in our decision-making processes.
Our Model for Impact
The Center is a team of interdisciplinary thinkers working toward a vision for sustainable humans and nature relationships. We work on two levels – interdisciplinary analysis and strategic intervention.
Interdisciplinary Analysis: We analyze the values and accepted cultural practices that are directly linked to our systemic failure to maintain biological and cultural diversity, human and ecosystem health, and resilient human and natural communities. We draw on the insights of multiple worldviews, across cultures and academic disciplines, by conducting original research and convening experts around a particular challenge or series of challenges. We are committed to communicating our ideas broadly, through books, white papers, journal articles, symposia, and social media.
Strategic Intervention: We partner with individual thought leaders, organizations, and existing networks/coalitions to bring transformative ideas to bear on practice and policy affecting human welfare and ecological integrity.
The Center has three programmatic initiatives through which we achieve our vision and ensure impact:
Ideas of Humans and Nature: Resources for cultural and institutional change
The Ideas Program develops insights and recommendations relevant to culture and policy by (1) developing new (and renewed) frameworks for humans/nature relationships; (2) increasing public awareness and dialogue; and (3) fostering networks of thought leaders focused on the ethical dimensions of conservation issues.
Regional Cultures of Conservation: Place-based research and community engagement
The Regional Program is dedicated to building healthy and resilient regional communities by (1) conducting interdisciplinary research on the ethical frameworks and social values that motivate care for the well-being of both land and wildlife; (2) facilitating regional and inter-regional dialogue about these frameworks; and (3) collaborating with regional partners to foster “on the ground” engagement between the ethical content of conservation work and regional policy/practice.
Global Responsibilities: Place-based research and community engagement
The Center’s Global Program works to change how nature is represented in law and policy by (1) conducting place-based multidisciplinary research; (2) creating action plans; and (3) developing “soft law” resources for organizations and governments developing, interpreting, and modifying environmental law and policy.
Explore our work by reading about our Programs & Projects.
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