Outer Landscapes
Outer landscapes are the physical ecology. All that we can touch.
Soil
The energy of our outer landscapes, (external environment) shapes our perception of ourselves and the world around us, just as our inner landscape (internal environment), influences how we perceive the world around us. The two are intertwined, the interconnectedness evident within communities, where all elements interact to shape a complex tapestry.
The environment is often seen through the lens of single dimension economic units, rather than intricate ecological communities that embrace the diversity of life and the complexity of society – all ecological communities contributing to the whole.
In current convention, we force our ideals - what we want to grow, ways we wish to be - on the ecological communities already living there. Often, these ecological systems (ecological truth) can’t support those goals. The ecological truth is the term we use to encompass what the land is telling us it is.
Reland occupies the space between ideals / aspirations and the ecological truth. Our service is to accompany to grow knowledge and understanding of the living systems we inhabit, and pathways to align with it.
Outer Landscapes focuses in on the Soil part of the triangle. This can be further focused into Land, Water, and Species.In order to understand the interconnectedness and support these communities we can examine these spaces by using a range of sampling and assessment techniques.
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The health and vitality of the soil directly influence the overall well-being of the entire ecosystem including humans. Examples of sampling and assessment for land are
Soil sampling
Respiration tests
Leaching tests
Carbon tests
Herbage Sampling
Ecosystems - Historic, current and future -
Water is an essential resource for all forms of life. Understanding its health is essential for maintaining the well-being of ecosystems and human populations.
Water health is often measured as a set of attribute states. These attributes are not necessarily tied to the specific environment in which the water flows but are generic to large scale waterscapes. They are physical parameters that do not necessarily demonstrate the health of the waterway but rather describe a state that allows for life.
We can measure all the attribute states as well as other factors to gain a more complete understanding of water health.
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A healthy ecosystem often supports a wide range of species, including humans.
Habitat Assessment (stream, forest, etc)
Species Assessment (historic, current presence and health, invasive species).Reland correlate these understandings with water and soil samples. This approach allows for a more accurate assessment of the ecological integrity and truth.
Acknowledging the people and purpose of activities being undertaken in an ecosystem allows for informed decision making and measurables fit for people and place.
Using all or some of these sampling techniques, we gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness and health of the biological communities on our land. Embracing this interconnectedness will lead to sustainable land management practices and thriving communities connected to their landscapes.
Reland specialises in applied ecology in environmental centric spaces; carbon, biodiversity, health and wellbeing of water. In order to see the reconciliation of everything into living systems, we are here to meet the need for applied ecological solutions across all spaces. We can work at any scale – catchment projects and large farms, lifestyle blocks, shop front gardens – from assessment through to planning and implementation.
Touch base to set up an exploratory discussion so we can ascertain how Reland could accompany you to establish pathways of connection for alignment and reconciliation.
Examples of Offerings
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Integrated Environment Plans
Integrated Environmental Plans incorporate connections to land, people, culture and activities and aspirations.
If required as a plan they also meet legislative requirements such as Freshwater Farm Plans and carbon emissions.
Contact chris@reland.co.nz
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Tipare Framework
The Tipare Framework is the framework we use to identify the
ecological truth
the story of water
aspirations with strategy and planning to meet them.
