Rescheduled for August 20--Values and Worldviews on Nature and Its Uses

How people define and value nature is relative to the cultural worldviews people use in their evaluations. Re-imagined parameters of valuation are emerging. Moving beyond typical Western notions of studying the environment incorporates local and Indigenous peoples’ ways of knowing. Understanding ecosystems across global-to-local or “glocal” scales of valuation can help scientists and local advocates collaborate to protect biodiversity through wider varieties of scenarios and solutions.

A program of the Maine Humanities Council, World in Your Library brings speakers on current events and relevant issues, both local and international, to Maine communities. Free to Maine organizations, World in Your Library gives small rural communities access to experts and the opportunity to explore complex topics, gain insight, and broaden perspectives. Thank you to the Maine Humanities Council's The World in Your Library program for funding this presentation!

James T. Spartz is a scholar, teacher, and writer living in mid-coast Maine. Prior to earning a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, he was a worker-owner at an organic whole-grains bakery cooperative, a hardware store sales associate, social services staffer, and performing songwriter – but not all at once. Spartz was born and raised in southeastern Minnesota and since 2014 has been a professor of environmental communication at Unity College.