Reflections on the Journey from Biodiversity and Culture to Biocultural Diversity
(with Nancy Turner)

Thursday, March 7, 2013  |  7:00 p.m.
UBC Earth Sciences Building, Room 1013
(2207 Main Mall, Vancouver)
By donation ($5 suggested)

RSVP here (Space is limited, RSVP early to avoid disappointment.)

Predominant in western thinking, at least for the past few centuries, is the dichotomy between “nature” and “culture”, with humans seen to be above and dominant over nature. This perception, leading to particular behaviours and assumptions of those who adhere to it, it can be argued, has resulted in increasing degradation of natural systems, and an escalating loss of biodiversity the world over.

What is less recognized is that not all human cultures embrace this philosophy. For many Indigenous societies, for example, there is a predominant belief that humans are part of nature, close relatives of other species, and that not only do we depend on these other species, but we have responsibilities towards them as we do to our own kin.

This leads to a different kind of relationship with the natural world, and may give us clues about more sustainable ways of interacting with nature. However, these cultures with alternative views of the human-nature relationship are themselves widely threatened, and their knowledge and perspectives are being overrun by those of mainstream societies. Nevertheless, increasingly we are realizing that these differing cultural perspectives may be critically important in providing us with alternative models of relationships with other species and environments.

Join Nancy Turner as we explore why thinking of the importance not only of biodiversity but of biocultural diversity can help us to frame our attitudes, our governance systems, and our very understandings of what it is to be human, and may help us to become responsible players in the world’s ecosystems.

This lecture is made possible by the Wharton Memorial Fund. Donations are graciously accepted.

About the Speaker

Nancy Turner is an ethnobotanist, Distinguished Professor and Hakai Professor in Ethnoecology in the School of Environmental Studies, University of Victoria. She has worked with First Nations’ elders and cultural specialists in northwestern North America for over 40 years documenting and promoting their traditional knowledge of plants and habitats.She has authored or co-authored over 20 books and over 125 book chapters and papers. Nancy received an Honorary Doctoral Degree of Science from the University of British Columbia in 2011. Her awards include membership in the Order of British Columbia (1999) and the Order of Canada (2009).

Peter Wharton Memorial Fund

Peter Wharton had a long and productive career with UBC Botanical Garden. For 30 years, he was instrumental in developing the David C. Lam Asian Garden, one of the highlights of the Botanical Garden. In honour of his contributions to horticulture and plant conservation, and in consultation with his family, the Botanical Garden established the Peter Wharton Memorial Fund to support an annual lecture on plant conservation and biodiversity.

Parking

The nearest parking is in West Parkade, two blocks south of the Earth Sciences Building on Lower Mall. For more information on how to get to the building, please click here.

Fine Print: Groupons, discount coupons or other promotional offers cannot be applied to the ticket price when purchasing tickets for special lectures/events.