Holistic Land Stewardship: Nurturing Our Earth for a Regenerative Future
Ok, But What Can I Do? Information and Inspiration towards Nature-Based Land Stewardship Perspectives and Practices
This article is based on an interview conducted in 2020 with Abbey Kingdon Smith.
In the heart of far Northeastern California, nestled amidst the rugged landscapes, a dedicated group of individuals is working tirelessly to transform the way we think about land stewardship. At the forefront of this movement is an inspiring figure, a global network coordinator for the Savory Institute, who is also a hub leader and a passionate advocate for regenerative agriculture: Abbey Kingdon Smith. In this article, we delve into her insights and experiences in the world of land stewardship, ranging from private family land to the vast global network she's a part of.
Connecting with the Land & The Power of Regenerative Outcomes
Abbey guides us through her involvement with the Savory Institute, a worldwide organization committed to Holistic Management. Within this role, she not only oversees her own hub but also engages in collaborations with individuals and groups across the globe. The hub’s expansive network extends its reach across millions of acres, stretching from California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington to even more distant regions.
What sets the Savory Institute apart is its commitment to "Ecological Outcome Verification" (EOV), a data-backed approach to measuring regenerative outcomes on the land. As Abbey passionately explains, this outcomes-based approach empowers landowners and land stewards to truly understand and improve the health of their properties. It's a paradigm shift that values real, tangible results over promises, and it's something she and her colleagues are deeply passionate about.
Scaling Impact and the Human Connection
One might wonder about the scale of influence that this form of land stewardship can achieve. As it turns out, the answer is not about quantity but quality. Each journey towards regenerative agriculture begins with a readiness for change, a receptivity in the heart and mind of the landowner. When that readiness aligns with their mission, the results can be transformative.
Through her work, she's witnessed both small-scale homesteads and vast commercial operations undergoing profound changes. It's a journey that requires humility, active listening, and knowledge sharing within a community of continuous learners. It's a departure from the industrial model of efficiency and control, and instead, it's about connecting as whole human beings to nurture the land.
Assessing the health of the land is a complex endeavor. She acknowledges that land degradation is a common issue in agricultural practices worldwide. However, the path to regeneration starts with recognizing the need for change. What might seem normal or healthy to one generation can be drastically different for the next, particularly in an era of climate change and environmental challenges.
In her experience, Spencer Smith, who holistically manages a ranch in Northeastern California, has achieved remarkable results. Through Holistic Management and EOV, he has witnessed increased biodiversity, improved soil health, and even the return of rare bird species. It's a testament to the power of regenerative agriculture to heal the land.
Land Management Decisions within Holistic Context & Long-Term Land Planning
A fundamental principle of Holistic Management is the establishment of a holistic context. It's a vision considering financial, social, and ecological outcomes. By defining what the environment must be like to support the desired quality of life, landowners can make decisions that align with their vision, ultimately moving toward ecological uplift.
Landowners engage in long-term land planning to ensure that decisions align with their holistic context. This process connects annual financial decisions with a broader vision, preventing them from getting lost in the day-to-day operations. With a plan that spans 50 to 100 years, landowners can make consistent progress toward their regenerative goals.
Composting and Carbon Sequestration
At a personal level, Abbey practices responsible land stewardship. Composting is a daily ritual, reducing waste and returning nutrients to the earth. On a larger scale, Spencer’s ranch is involved in a healthy soils demonstration project, exploring carbon sequestration practices for rangelands and pastures. From compost application to holistic planned grazing, these practices enrich the land and enhance its resilience.
Advocacy for the Land
For our interviewee, this work is more than a profession; it's a calling. She sees herself as an advocate for the land, giving it a voice in decision-making processes. Historically, the land has been viewed as a resource to exploit, but that perception is shifting. Through initiatives like EOV and a growing network of women in land management, the land is gaining recognition as a living entity deserving of care and respect.
The path to regenerative agriculture is not a one-size-fits-all formula. It requires a departure from reductionist thinking, which seeks predefined recipes for success. Instead, Holistic Management embraces complexity and uniqueness. Each landbase, each individual, and each decision is unique, requiring a framework that considers the context and values of all stakeholders.
A Message of Hope
In closing, Abbey offers a message of hope and encouragement. Whether you're a consumer supporting regenerative farms, a backyard gardener, or a land manager overseeing millions of acres, your contribution matters. The scale is not what defines the importance of your role; it's the commitment to nurturing the Earth, fostering the well-being of all life, and connecting with the land.
In the face of environmental challenges, holistic land stewardship offers a path forward—a path that values diversity, complexity, and the profound interconnectedness of all living things. It's a path that leads to a regenerative future, one where the land thrives, and so do we.
Postscript update since the interview:
Three years later, Abbey continues to serve as the global network coordinator for the Savory Institute, with a growing network of 50 plus Savory Hubs globally. She is a holder (owner) of the Savory Hub serving the Pacific Intermountain region of the United States, including California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Idaho. The Hub, named UVE, is stewarded by a team of five women, including herself, and engages with a diverse guild of Savory Accredited Professionals in the region to do the work of transforming landscapes toward ecological uplift through Holistic Management and EOV.
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This article is based on an interview I conducted while drafting the final project of my Biomimicry master’s degree. I hope it might help you understand the impact each of us can have on our hyper-local ecosystems as we step toward stewardship practices that heal the soil.
— Anne LaForti —
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