Episode 21: The Natureculture Lab: Learning from Each Other
In our second episode concerning the intersection of the ecological and cultural heritage conservation fields, we learn about an academic think tank called the Natureculture Lab that was held in January 2025. Hanna B. Hölling, Sven Dupré, co-organizers of the Lab, and Maartje Stols-Witlox, co-author of one of the lectures, speak with Lindsey about the beneficial relationship that both conservation fields could develop by engaging more directly with each other.
The Lab aimed to break down silos between the two fields with perspectives from around the globe and centered upon themes from sociology, anthropology, and systems evolution. Presenters discussed how the two fields faced similar challenges even though the subjects differ and had similar histories in their development as disciplines.
Stewardship has been defined in a variety of ways in both disciplines over time. The Natureculture Lab cohort would often question what it would mean to redefine the concept of ‘conservation’ to be much more inclusive of both naturally-made and man-made entities. In small groups the participants were posed questions concerning how we engage with the nature of change, determine agency or authority to determine actions of conservation, and identify what those actions might be to create a holistically beneficial relationship with our environment now and into the future.
Resources discussed:
News in Conservation, June/July 2025
Donna Haraway
biologist and philosopher of science
Bruno Latour - anthropologist, sociologist and philosopher of science
Laura Martin - author "Wild by Design"
Systems Change Theory
Indigenous or Traditional Knowledge
Ecological Restoration "Disturbance" Concept
Society for Ecological Restoration
Active Materials
Conserving Active Matter
Jacob Badcock, coordinator for Reading Group