United States

Photograph of a wall embedded with text and objects from Biddy Mason park, a surprising ‘pocket park’ in downtown LA honoring Mason who was moved to California as a slave in 1850, was freed, and became a successful midwife and landowner. Image courtesy of Don Barrett (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0).

Primary SourcesMarch 4, 2020

The Power of Place: Finding Enduring Value(s) in the Landscapes that Surround Us

By Patrick Nunnally Dolores Hayden’s book, The Power of Place: Urban Landscapes as Public History (1995), has been a “primary source” for my thinking…

Education Planning / Policy United States

Along the Flamingo Arroyo Wash and Bike Trail where the wetland is fed primarily by urban runoff. Image courtesy of the author.

GeographiesMarch 4, 2020

Invisible Infrastructure: Documenting the Hidden Flood Control Infrastructure in Las Vegas

By Jessica Rossi-Mastracci Las Vegas. A city branded by sin, vice, and extravagance. A city where “anything goes,” including gambling, the Strip, partying, strip…

Education Landscape Architecture United States

Scorched vegetation inside the Maya Biosphere Reserve at the Archaeological site of El Peruito following attempts to illegally invade the area in 2017. Image courtesy of Ever Sánchez of the Instituto de Antropología e Historia de Guatemala (IDAEH).

Teaching and PracticeMarch 4, 2020

Science 101: Teaching Scientific Anthropology in the Age of “Alternative” Facts

By Olivia Navarro-Farr I am a professional archaeologist and researcher, but my primary role is that of teacher. I teach a range of courses…

Anthropology Education United States

The Colorado River is visible in the distance through a light haze under blue sky, at the base of the Grand Canyon's walls in its inner gorge. Foreground shows the high desert terrace.

In ReviewMarch 4, 2020

Time in the Canyon

By David Morrison A bit over half a century ago, Colin Fletcher walked, in two months, from one end of Grand Canyon National Park…

Engagement Geosciences United States

The PulseMarch 2, 2020

The 2100 Project: An Atlas for the Green New Deal

By The McHarg Center

“This Atlas for a Green New Deal brings together a vast and disparate array of information in the form of maps and datascapes; tools to help us understand the spatial consequences of climate change—not so that we may be frightened by them, but so that we may be mobilized around a response to them.”

The McHarg Center

Planning / Policy Policy United States

A group of speakers sit at a long table, surrounded by attendees around round tables. Background is tall windows showing a skyline and colorful sunset.

The PulseNovember 26, 2019

What to consider when acknowledging you are on stolen Indigenous lands

By Staff

Land acknowledgement statements are increasingly common practice, but as they are developed, this article reminds us to ask “Are you doing it to make yourself feel better or to ease your guilt? Are you doing it because you agree that education is really important? Is there something that can come out of it?”

Healing Minnesota Stories

Education Indigenous Perspectives United States

Low level aerial photograph of New Orleans, showing flooded streets.

The Pulse, UncategorisedNovember 26, 2019

After the Storm: How Hurricane Katrina and the murder of Emmett Till shaped one woman’s commitment to climate justice

By Mary Heglar

With insights on race, history, climate, family and so much more, Mary Heglar connects Civil Rights traumas of the 1950s, hurricane tragedy in 2005, and climate inequity now in this thoughtful reflection.

Guernica

Engagement Environmental Justice United States

We Are Water MN on exhibit in the lobby of Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth, March 10–April 22, 2019.

FeatureNovember 21, 2019

We Are Water: Stories and Connections to Nibi

“What’s my relationship to water, as a woman?” Fond du Lac’s Nikki Crowe repeated the question posed to her. “Women take care of the water. Everyone in this room came from a woman, and started in the womb being carried in water, so for women, it is important for us to take care of the water.”

Engagement Environmental Justice Indigenous Perspectives United States

Braided sweetgrass, its three strands representing the three interwoven components of the book: scientific knowledge, Indigenous story, and personal narrative. Image courtesy of Jamieson Lawrence.

In ReviewNovember 21, 2019

Woven Ways of Knowing

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants (2013) is a nonfiction compilation of essays written by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a celebrated botanist, poet, and Indigenous member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

Education Indigenous Perspectives Science United States

The PulseAugust 8, 2019

Vintage EPA photos reveal what US waterways looked like before pollution was regulated

By Aylin Woodward

Over 40 years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, we take for granted that rivers can be restored to a healthy functioning condition. These images taken by EPA photographers in the 1970s show how far we have come, but there’s still much to do.

Business Insider

Engagement Environmental History History United States

Issue Contents

Introduction

Introduction to Issue Sixteen

There’s a saying among water professionals that the public only cares about water when there is too much or too little, when there is...

By Patrick Nunnally, Editor

Feature (Peer Review)

Eroding Memories and Erecting Risk on the Amite River

Baton Rouge, Louisiana owes its existence to the Mississippi River. The city is perched atop a terrace at the first upriver site that is...

By Craig E. Colten

Feature

Flood Narratives of the Lower Subarnarekha River Corridor, India

The Indian scenario of an alluvial river is that of miseries and mishap during the monsoon season when the river breaches its banks…

By Debika Banerji

Feature

The Gift of Water

India today faces a wide variety of issues related to water management. These include flooding during the several-month monsoon season, a lack of water...

By Leslie A. Johnson

Geographies

Invisible Infrastructure: Documenting the Hidden Flood Control Infrastructure in Las Vegas

By Jessica Rossi-Mastracci Las Vegas. A city branded by sin, vice, and extravagance. A city where “anything goes,” including gambling, the Strip, partying, strip...

By Jessica Rossi-Mastracci

In Review

Time in the Canyon

By David Morrison A bit over half a century ago, Colin Fletcher walked, in two months, from one end of Grand Canyon National Park...

By David Morrison

Perspectives

The Urban Mississippi: Valuing Connections in a Changing Climate

By Emily Green, Bree Duever, and Amit Pradhananga Social scientists have long noted the value in humans connecting with their communities—through both social bonds...

By Emily Green, Bree Duever, and Amit Pradhananga

Primary Sources

The Power of Place: Finding Enduring Value(s) in the Landscapes that Surround Us

By Patrick Nunnally Dolores Hayden’s book, The Power of Place: Urban Landscapes as Public History (1995), has been a “primary source” for my thinking...

By Patrick Nunnally

Teaching and Practice

Science 101: Teaching Scientific Anthropology in the Age of “Alternative” Facts

By Olivia Navarro-Farr I am a professional archaeologist and researcher, but my primary role is that of teacher. I teach a range of courses...

By Olivia Navarro-Farr

Editorial

Thank You

After 16 issues and over four years of publication, Open Rivers: Rethinking Water, Place & Community continues both to expand the range of conversations to...

By Open Rivers Editorial Staff

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