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A Place-Based Oral History Project" (2014)

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A Place-Based Oral History Project University of Vermont ScholarWorks @ UVM Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Rubenstein School Masters Project Publications Resources 2014 Master's Project: Intervale Out Loud: A Place- based Oral History Project Katharan M. Blofson University of Vermont Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/rsmpp Part of the Natural Resources and Conservation Commons Recommended Citation Blofson, Katharan M., "Master's Project: Intervale Out Loud: A Place-based Oral History Project" (2014). Rubenstein School Masters Project Publications. 1. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/rsmpp/1 This Project is brought to you for free and open access by the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in Rubenstein School Masters Project Publications by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INTERVALE OUT LOUD: A PLACE-BASED ORAL HISTORY PROJECT A Project Presented by Kate Blofson to The Faculty of the Graduate College of The University of Vermont In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science In Natural Resources October, 2014 Accepted by the Faculty of the Graduate College, The University of Vermont, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science specializing in Natural Resources. __________________________________________Advisor Stephanie Kaza, PhD __________________________________________ Walter Poleman, PhD __________________________________________Chairperson Dona Brown, PhD __________________________________________Dean, Graduate College Cynthia Forehand, PhD April 28, 2014 Abstract Landscape analysis explores the social and ecological processes that drive landscape patterns, and is closely allied with landscape ecology and geography. UVM's PLACE (Place-based Landscape Analysis and Community Engagement) Program is a collaboration with Shelburne Farms, and uses landscape analysis to express an integrative “story of place” through the lenses of the physical, ecological and cultural landscapes. While landscape analysis field methods address the physical and ecological landscapes, no clear methodology has emerged to support a holistic analysis of the cultural landscape and an understanding of relationships with place. Oral history is an open-ended, flexible method that engages diverse perspectives and generates rich detail and context in long- form narratives. It has produced important ecological knowledge, as well as other social benefits, for natural resource planning (Holmes and Pilkington, 2011; Colburn and Clay, 2007; Robertson and McGee, 2003). Using the rich cultural and ecological landscape of the lower Winooski intervale in Burlington, VT, as a case study, this project explored the value of oral history as a methodology in landscape analysis, with a particular focus on land use practices (including agriculture, foraging, and hunting); ecological information and site-specific stories; feelings and values about the land; and visions for its future. Oral histories produced important stories and knowledge about landscape change and natural communities in the lower Winooski intervale, as well as revealing meanings and values useful for an integrative and inclusive understanding of place. From oral histories, short audio pieces were produced and incorporated into an interactive, web-based “sound map”, demonstrating how sound and stories can be used to explore and express sense of place. Dedication This project is dedicated to my aunt Lorraine Blofson Brown, who tended our family stories. She is sorely missed. ii Acknowledgements A very special thanks to my advisor, Stephanie Kaza, who offered staunch and insightful support and guidance through this long process. This document was shaped by her thoughtful editing. Thanks also to my other committee members, Dona Brown and Walt Poleman, and Gioia Thompson and the Office of Sustainability. Conversations with Gregory Sharrow and Andy Kolovos from the Vermont Folklife Center about ethical, content, and technical issues were invaluable, and many other people offered advice and wisdom along the way, including Alicia Daniel, Marla Emery, Thomas Case, Connor Stedman, and three cohorts of FNEPs. And gratitude to the narrators who gave freely of their time and stories to make this project possible. iii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... i Dedication ................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................ iii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... vii Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 Literature Review .................................................................................................................... 9 Landscape Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 9 Place-based Landscape Analysis ........................................................................................................... 16 Place as Concept ............................................................................................................................... 23 Sense of Place ................................................................................................................................................ 24 Sense of place and natural resource management ........................................................................ 26 Place-based values and ways of knowing ......................................................................................... 30 Place-based ways of knowing ................................................................................................................ 36 Oral History ....................................................................................................................................... 48 Ethnography and Oral History ............................................................................................................... 55 Oral History Research ............................................................................................................................... 57 Oral history and aurality .......................................................................................................................... 59 Oral history and place ............................................................................................................................... 64 The Lower Winooski Intervale .......................................................................................... 68 Physical Landscape ......................................................................................................................... 68 Physiography and the Winooski River watershed ........................................................................ 71 Bedrock Geology .......................................................................................................................................... 73 Surficial geology ........................................................................................................................................... 75 Hydrology ....................................................................................................................................................... 76 Soils ................................................................................................................................................................... 79 Ecological landscape ...................................................................................................................... 81 Plant communities ...................................................................................................................................... 82 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................................................ 85 Cultural landscape .......................................................................................................................... 86 Cultural context ................................................................................................................................ 90 Burlington Intervale ....................................................................................................................... 92 Lower Winooski intervale resources ....................................................................................... 97 Burlington Intervale resources .................................................................................................. 97 Current land ownership and use ............................................................................................... 98 Methods .................................................................................................................................
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