Desert Channels is a
book that combines art, science and history to explore the ‘impulse to
conserve’ in the distinctive Desert Channels country of south-western
Queensland. The region is the source of Australia’s major inland-flowing
desert rivers. Some of Australia’s most interesting new conservation
initiatives are in this region, including partnerships between private
landholders, non-government conservation organisations that buy and manage
land (including Bush Heritage Australia and the Australian Wildlife
Conservancy) and community-based natural resource management groups such as
Desert Channels Queensland.
Conservation biology in this place has a distinguished scientific history,
and includes two decades of ecological work by scientific editor Chris
Dickman. Chris is one of Australia’s leading terrestrial ecologists and
mammalogists. He is an outstanding writer and is passionate about
communicating the scientific basis for concern about biodiversity in this
region to the broadest possible audience.
Libby Robin, historian and
award-winning writer, has co-ordinated the writings of the 46 contributors
whose voices collectively portray the Desert Channels in all its facets. The
emphasis of the book is on partnerships that conserve landscapes and
communities together. Short textboxes add local and technical commentary
where relevant. Art and science combine with history and local knowledge to
richly inform the writing and visual understanding of the country.
Conservation here is conceived in four dimensions: place,
landscape, biodiversity and livelihood. These four parts
each carry four chapters. The ‘4x4’ structure was conceived by acclaimed
artist, Mandy Martin, who has produced suites of artworks over three
seasons in this format with commentaries, which make the interludes between
parts. Martin’s work offers an aesthetic framework of place, which shapes
how we see the region.
Desert Channels explores
the impulse to protect the varied biodiversity of the region, and its
Aboriginal, pastoral and prehistoric heritage, including some of Australia’s
most important dinosaur sites. The work of Alice Duncan-Kemp, the region’s
most significant literary figure, is highlighted. Even the sounds of the
landscape are not forgotten: the book includes a CD by Alaskan radio
journalist Richard Nelson talking to ecologist Steve Morton at Ocean Bore in
the Simpson Desert country. The twitter of zebra finches accompanies the
interview.
Conservation can be accomplished in various ways and Desert Channels
combines many distinguished voices. The impulse to conserve is shared by
local landholders, conservation enthusiasts (from the community and from
national and international organisations), Indigenous owners, professional
biologists, artists and historians.
WEBSITE:
http://environmentalhistory-au-nz.org/desert-channels/
To order:
http://www.publish.csiro.au/nid/21/pid/6406.htm
