Linking Arts with Biocultural Conservation, Restoration, and Communication

This book aims to overcome the still prevailing schizophrenic divisions among sciences, humanities, the arts, and multiple forms of ecological knowledge. Discover how these seemingly disparate fields converge to shape the future of biocultural conservation and restoration.

The groundbreaking book challenges the traditional divide between the sciences and humanities, offering fresh insights from ecologists, philosophers, artists, and emerging scholars. It is organized into three main parts that address the theory, practice, and communication of biocultural conservation and restoration. The first part presents philosophical concepts and issues that illuminate the ontological, epistemological, aesthetic, and ethical dimensions of biocultural conservation and restoration..

In Part II, a diverse array of art projects from around the world are presented to illuminate the values of biocultural diversity. These initiatives foster deep connections between people and their local environments, often inviting audiences to encounter, observe, touch, and appreciate the often-overlooked biodiversity –such as mosses, lichens, and insects. These artistic endeavours demonstrate that arts can be a powerful tool for communicating the ecological and aesthetic significance of biocultural diversity, and it also is a vital catalyst for positive socio-ecological changes. By engaging communities, these projects contribute to to sustainable biocultural stewardship.

In Part III, different chapters emphasize pedagogical and communicative strategies for linking arts to more inclusive biocultural conservation and restoration. By integrating arts and education, this approach enhances biocultural communication.

This book is oriented towards a broad public interested in the intersections of environmental issues and the arts. Because of its “interdisciplinary” nature, this volume provides valuable insights that will enhance your understanding and inspire new ideas for innovative collaborations.

Danqiong Zhu received her PhD degree in philosophy from the University of North Texas and PhD degree in History of Chinese Thoughts from Northwest University, China. Her research covers history of Chinese thoughts, history and philosophy of science, and environmental ethics, with a focus on biocultural conservation and communication. She has published 5 books including translations in Chinese. She is currently Director of International Engagement of the Center for Environmental Philosophy (CEP), Denton, Texas, USA and a scholar associated with the Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.

Ricardo Rozzi is a Chilean ecologist and philosopher, full professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Texas, USA, and the University of Magallanes, Chile. He is also Director of the Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile, and Vice-President of the Center for Environmental Philosophy (CEP), Denton, Texas, USA. He has coined the terms biocultural conservation, biocultural homogenization, and biocultural ethics focused on the links between human well-being and the conservation of biological and cultural diversity. Rozzi is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Springer Ecology and Ethics book series.

Rika Tsuji received her Ph.D. in philosophy from University of North Texas in 2021, and is currently an assistant professor of philosophy at University of Rhode Island. She specializes in environmental philosophy, feminist philosophy, and philosophy for children (P4C).

Benn Johnson received his PhD from the Department of Philosophy and Religion at University of North Texas in 2021. He currently works at the Department of Philosophy in the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island, United States. His research focuses on the relationship between environmental philosophy, intersecting systems of domination, and the liberatory dimensions of education.

Terrance Caviness is the Assistant Director of Cranberry Lake Biological Station at the State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF). He received a BS in environmental biology at SUNY-ESF and MPA from the University of Colorado Denver. He specializes in field environmental philosophy, plant ecology, and environmental education.

Carolina Castro Jorquera received her PhD in Art History from Universidad Autónoma in Madrid and she is currently an art historian, critic, and curator. As a curator, she has organized numerous exhibitions and led collective gatherings and actions connecting art and the environment. Her writings and art criticism have been published in many international art journals. She has collaborated with the Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), and Parque la Giganta in Panquehue, Chile. She is a member of the Coordinadora de Defensa Akunkawa.

Li Xu received her PhD in Philosophy from Beijing Normal University, China, in 2019 and her second PhD in Art Education from the University of North Texas, USA, in 2025. Her research focuses on John Dewey studies, phenomenology (particularly Maurice Merleau-Ponty), comparative environmental philosophy, and methodologies in art education.

Li Zhang received his PhD from the Department of Ecology and Biodiversity at the University of Hong Kong, China. He is currently the Director and research professor of the Key Laboratory of Southern Subtropical Plant Diversity at the Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden, Shenzhen, China. His research combines taxonomy and phylogeny of bryophytes, inventory of bryophytes of southwest China, and science education. In 2021, he received the Riclef Grolle Award for Excellence in Bryodiversity Research.