Unlocking Sustainable Land Management: A Journey with an Ecological Outcomes Verification (EOV) Manager
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 Jackie Eshelman.
In this enlightening conversation, we delve into the world of holistic land management with Jackie Eshelman, an UVE Hub Co-Owner based at UVE, the Savory Hub serving the Pacific and Intermountain West. This dedicated manager oversees EOV initiatives, playing a pivotal role in transforming land management practices across the region. This article offers a comprehensive look at our discussion, highlighting the critical role of EOV in reshaping the future of land stewardship.
Understanding Holistic Land Management
At its core, holistic land management, championed by the Savory Institute, represents a philosophy with a remarkable history spanning over five decades. Its essence lies in empowering land managers with a robust framework for making well-informed management decisions about their land. The ultimate aim is simple yet profound: to enhance the health and vitality of by managing land and animals in a way that mimics the impact and recovery of natural evolutionary systems.
Demystifying Ecological Outcomes Verification (EOV)
EOV emerges as a progressive verification program within the Savory Institute, addressing a pressing need to move beyond requiring the use of “best practices” and provide a rigorous scientific protocol for measuring the outcomes of our practices. Savory is using science to verify that Ecosystem function is improving and land is regenerating. This verification process is instrumental in supporting the narrative of brands committed to sustainable products. EOV stands apart by its focus on evaluation rather than enforcement, honing in on the actual outcomes of land management decisions.
EOV monitoring serves the land steward in more than simple verification, it is also a powerful land management tool. EOV delivers invaluable data, enabling land managers to make nuanced decisions tailored to their specific landscapes. One highlight feature of EOV is its unwavering commitment to contextual relevance. It recognizes that each farm operates within a unique context, employs distinct land management methods, and aspires to specific outcomes.
Measuring the Pulse of the Land
EOV casts a wide net, encompassing various facets of land health, with a primary focus on soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. These components align seamlessly with Savory's overarching emphasis on critical ecosystem processes, including the water cycle, mineral cycle, community dynamics, and energy flow.
Functional Groups and Their Vital Roles
Functional groups, as defined by EOV, extend beyond mere plant categories. They represent a thriving web of organisms within these groups, each playing pivotal roles within the ecosystem. Roots, for instance, exhibit remarkable diversity in size and length, contributing significantly to soil aeration and nutrient cycling. Various species, including insects and microbes, make substantial contributions to overall biodiversity, fostering the health of the ecosystem.
Rather than regarding certain elements as pests or issues necessitating elimination, EOV encourages land stewards to acknowledge the functions served by different species and ask what each issue might be indicating. Invasive species, for instance, may indicate underlying issues such as soil compaction. Rather than hastily eradicating them, EOV suggests finding alternative species that can fulfill the same ecological role while aligning with land management goals.
The Synergy of Holistic Management and EOV
The fusion of holistic management and EOV marks a potent partnership. Holistic management provides a structured framework for decision-making, while EOV offers real-time data that informs these decisions. Short-term monitoring yields early indicators, empowering land managers to proactively predict and adapt to changes. Long-term monitoring further solidifies these findings, revealing the intricate interplay between land management practices and critical ecological aspects like soil health, water cycles, energy flow, and community dynamics.
Guiding Aspiring Land Stewards
For those embarking on a journey as land stewards, Jackie shared invaluable insights. She stressed the paramount importance of recognizing one's place within the environment. Cultivating keen observation skills and nurturing a childlike curiosity can uncover the intricacies of ecosystems.
Furthermore, Jackie emphasized the significance of understanding that problems often contain the seeds of solutions. Instead of waging war against nature, aspiring land stewards should strive to collaborate with it. Compacted soil or invasive species may signal underlying issues that, when thoughtfully addressed, can lead to regenerative outcomes.
Recommended Reading: A Wealth of Knowledge
"For the Love of Soil" by Nicole Masters delves into the intricate world of soil health, offering practical insights and techniques for regenerative land management to nurture this vital resource. "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer masterfully weaves together indigenous wisdom and ecological insights. "Dirt to Soil" by Gabe Brown imparts practical wisdom from a seasoned land manager. "Restoration Agriculture" by Mark Shepherd explores sustainable farming practices, while "Beyond the War on Invasive Species" by Tao Orion challenges conventional views on invasive species.
Invitation to Shift Perspectives
In essence, my discussion with Jackie Eshelman paints a vivid picture of the transformative potential of holistic land management and EOV in reshaping our relationship with the land and the environment. It invites us all to become more thoughtful and informed stewards of our precious natural resources, unlocking a sustainable and regenerative future.
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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Thanks for this article! A little beyond my pay grade as a backyard farmer/gardener but still enjoyed it. One request: please put captions (who, what, where, when) and photo credits on the photos!