Abudance Ecology
Achieving Abundance Ecology requires a direct relationship between man and the land, Abundance Ecologist Michael Shaw said in a presentation to the Trans-Heritage Association annual meeting and conference in Alpine Texas in May 2003. Shaw speaks from experience. Shaw has received acclaim for creating an ecological oasis from a blighted 75-acre parcel on the central coast of California -- what he calls "Liberty Garden."
"To release the potential productivity and diversity of a landscape, an owner must be free to engage in rigorous disturbance, and free to pursue a reasoned and creative process of trial and error. This process would be suited to the choice of each individual and the uniqueness of each property," Shaw said.
What is Abundance Ecology?
Written By Michael Shaw
A direct relationship between man and land is paramount. An improving planet has historically been shown to be possible only in a society that respects the ideals of private property, for reasons of knowledge and innovation. To release the potential productivity and diversity of a landscape, an owner must be free to engage in rigorous disturbance and free to pursue a reasoned and creative process of trial and error. This process would be suited to the choice of each individual and the uniqueness of each property.
Demonstrating the moral and practical nature of Abundance Ecology
Yarrow in purple needle grass field
The ground in this picture covered completely with wild oat, rip-gut and other noxious annuals. It is now primarily purple needle grass. Although the lack of spring rain led to a poor showing this year, the area generally has been increasing in wildflower diversity and population. The pictured yellow yarrow was a surprise first this year.
Releasing the Native Seedbank
Written By Craig C. Dremann with Michael Shaw
An entrepreneur turns a coastal weed lot into a blooming garden of native plants by tapping a dormant seed bank, risking the clench of the Endangered Species Act.
“Releasing the Native Seedbank” is reprinted with permission from Ecological Restoration, a publication for University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. © by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. Reprints of this article are available directly from LibertyGarden.com with the permission of the copyright holder.
Seeds of Change
Written By Nancy Redwine, Sentinel Staff Writer
Santa Cruz Sentinel covers Abundance Ecology as practiced at Liberty Garden. There, a former weed lot now supports a wild wonderland with a plethora of productive native plants, which in turn support an array of indigenous species... Liberty Garden proves that if people are free to create voluntary associations, the laws of economics and the consequence of stewardship will cause the earth to improve.
“Because of the Endangered Species Act—what developer or land owner would want to purchase or own the land and do what we are doing? Disincentives preclude innovation. It is no wonder that no one else is following this common sense formulation for success: Pull the weeds and manage the plants and the hydrology.”
-Michael Shaw
A Tale of Two Counties
Santa Cruz County:
After 26 years, Santa Cruz County and Supervisor Ellen Pirie, continue to block economic use of Liberty Garden
and
Alameda County:
Michael Shaw, owner of Lockaway Storage, delivers Misprision of Treason Notice to Alameda County
"To release the potential productivity and diversity of a landscape, an owner must be free to engage in rigorous disturbance, and free to pursue a reasoned and creative process of trial and error. This process would be suited to the choice of each individual and the uniqueness of each property,"
–Michael Shaw from Ecological Restoration, Spring 2002
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