There are trails–clear directions towards a goal –and there are tangents–the small, seemingly disconnected events, facts, and stories that in fact may be more important to the goal.

This blog explores them both.  The writer is not sure where exactly it is going, but hopes to report on things that matter wherever in the world they take place.

Both forest and mountain communities have unique identities and livelihoods (and sometimes unique culture) entwined with their natural resources. They and other communities are today undergoing big changes – political, ecological, climate, society, technology, and access. The times are exciting but challenging for them.  Such communities have so much to offer.  Their mountains are water towers for the plains. Their cultures are deep, rich and resilient. Their traditional knowledge is varied and their agriculture and wild collection forms the bulk of human consumption of food, fibers, medicinals, cosmetics, and condiments.  Their stewardship of forests, pastures and wetlands, cleans our lungs and fosters biodiversity. The peoples of these communities, like lowland migratory pastoral peoples, are both under-rated and under-supported.Both forest and mountain communities have unique identities and livelihoods (and sometimes unique culture)  entwined with their natural resources. They and other communities are today undergoing big changes – political, ecological, climate, society, technology, and access. The times are exciting but challenging for them.  Such communities have so much to offer.  Their mountains are water towers for the plains. Their cultures are deep, rich and resilient. Their traditional knowledge is varied and their agriculture and wild collection forms the bulk of human consumption of food, fibers, medicinals, cosmetics, and condiments.  Their stewardship of forests, pastures and wetlands, cleans our lungs and fosters biodiversity. They, like lowland migratory pastoral peoples, are both under-rated and under-supported.

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