Abstract

Biocultural approaches promote consideration of diverse values and cultural practices into resource management. However, cultural inclusion in North American forest management is limited. Drawing on a case study of Wolastoqiyik and Mi’kmaq communities in Maine, USA and New Brunswick, Canada, we examine the practice of plant gathering, including associated values and cultural norms. Through interviews and participant observation, we find that gatherers value and care for plants and habitats that are not priorities for forest managers. Gatherers do not describe their actions in terms of management, with its connotations of dominance and control. Rather, they are guided by community-driven values and responsibilities. Our analysis suggests that their plant gathering activities align with a stewardship paradigm, which may be one useful way to characterize, legitimize and communicate approaches to caring for forests. We offer five suggestions for managers wishing to use biocultural approaches.

摘要

生物文化方法促进在资源管理中考虑不同的价值观和文化实践。然而，北美森林管理中的文化包容是有限的。通过对美国缅因州和加拿大新不伦瑞克省 Wolatoqiyik 和 Mi'kmaq 社区的案例研究，我们研究了植物采集的实践，包括相关的价值观和文化规范。通过访谈和参与观察，我们发现采集者重视并关心森林管理者不优先考虑的植物和栖息地。采集者没有从管理的角度描述他们的行为，其含义是支配和控制。相反，他们以社区驱动的价值观和责任为指导。我们的分析表明，他们的植物采集活动符合管理范式，这可能是表征、合法化和交流照料森林的方法的一种有用方式。我们为希望使用生物文化方法的管理人员提供五项建议。