Overview

This book presents a broad array of global case studies exploring the interaction between religion and the conservation of nature, from the viewpoints of the religious practitioners themselves. With conservation and religion often being championed as allies in the quest for a sustainable world where humans and nature flourish, this book provides a much-needed compendium of detailed examples where religion and conservation science have been brought together. Case studies cover a variety of religions, faiths and practices, including traditional, Indigenous, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Judaism, Shinto and Zoroastrianism. Importantly, this volume gives voice to the religious practitioners and adherents themselves. Beyond an exercise in anthropology, ethnobiology and comparative religion, the book is an applied work, seeking the answer to how in a world of nearly eight billion people, we might help our own species to prevent the extinction of life. This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of nature conservation, environment and religion, cultural geography and ethnobiology, as well as practitioners and professionals working in conservation.

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9781032159003

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Reviews

Just in case you were thinking that religion is a thing of the past, I highly recommend that you read the rich collection of case studies in this eye-opening book. They make it abundantly clear that world religions are not only are thriving, but they are also making a positive impact on safeguarding nature in the age of humans. Shonil A. Bhagwat, Professor of Environment and Development, Head of School, Social Sciences and Global Studies, The Open University, UK This important volume of case studies from around the world provides an invaluable service by highlighting the key role that mainstream religions and Indigenous traditions have to play in protecting nature. Without the deep kind of support described in Religion and Nature Conservation: Global Case Studies, programs of environmental and cultural conservation will not succeed in being equitable, inclusive, and sustainable. Edwin Bernbaum, Co-Chair, IUCN Specialist Group on the Cultural and Spiritual Value of Protected Areas (CSVPA) and author of Sacred Mountains of the World, 2nd edition This book is an invaluable contribution that illustrates the critical role of religions in the conservation movement. It documents remarkable examples from around the world that will inspire further engaged religious environmentalism. It is indeed a unique and indispensable monograph for the growing field of religion and ecology. Mary Evelyn Tucker, Yale University, Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology

Author Information

Radhika Borde (PhD) is a Lecturer at the School of Geography, University of Leeds, UK. She has published on sacred natural sites and sustainability and is a member of international professional associations working on these issues. She also supports local communities in India with conservation and sustainability projects. Alison A. Ormsby teaches Environmental Studies at the University of North Carolina Asheville, USA. She is a human ecologist with 30 years of experience working with people and protected areas, environmental education, and sacred natural sites. She has conducted research on sacred forests in Sierra Leone, Ghana, and India. Stephen M. Awoyemi is an Independent Researcher and past President of the Religion and Conservation Biology Working Group, Society for Conservation Biology. He holds a PhD from the Central European University (CEU), Austria. Andrew G. Gosler is a Professor of Ethno-ornithology in the Department of Zoology and School of Anthropology at the University of Oxford, UK. He is the author/editor of multiple books, including Ethno-Ornithology: Birds, Indigenous Peoples, Culture and Society (Routledge, 2011).

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