HOMEGROUND
In a world where most people draw their inspiration from urban areas, HOMEGROUND is about those who live closest to the land. It explores a timeless partnership between people whose livelihoods depend on the land and the land that depends on the care of those people. Without much fanfare or recognition, a growing group of dedicated conservation stewards are finding ways to blend ranching traditions and sustainable innovations to ensure the health of the land and our food economies. HOMEGROUND aims to highlight their contributions that foster a deeper appreciation for the intricate connections between land, people, and our shared ecosystems. This project began over ten years ago and has taken me on a remarkable journey across the American Southwest and the Rocky Mountains to explore the region's vast, imperiled rangelands and the people and practices involved in restoring and sustaining these vital landscapes.
No matter its form or location, land is central to our existence. It quite literally underlies and underpins everything. In the American West, rangelands connect vast areas of habitat that cover more than 1/3 of the land surface in the continental US. This predominantly arid and semi-arid region includes a variety of landscapes, such as grasslands, desert shrublands, savanna woodlands, forests, and tundra. These landscapes provide essential habitats for diverse plant and animal species, forage for livestock, rural livelihoods, recreational opportunities, and cultural and historical significance. Unfortunately, in the American West and elsewhere worldwide, rangelands are significantly threatened due to land conversion, unmanaged grazing, invasive species, climate change, and encroaching development.
HOMEGROUND is a fiscally sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a 501c3 non-profit organization based in the United States that provides support and resources to artists and arts organizations. As a sponsored project, tax-deductible contributions can be accepted to the extent permitted by law. Contributions will help raise awareness and cover the financial demands required to print, distribute, and market the book, HOMEGROUND, and related exhibition. To learn more or make a contribution, please click the link below.