REPAiR Project
@repairproject.bsky.social
A research project that critically explores how ‘nature-based solutions’ and other approaches are applied in the contexts of Southern Africa’s rangelands. repairproject.org
Fires can be crucial in rangeland management - so why are they often portrayed as a wholly destructive force? Read the piece by @amberhuff.bsky.social, @vorontsovams.bsky.social and Kevin Kirkman, ahead of this month's online event on 25 August. repairproject.org/blog/myth-fi... #RangelandMyths
Are deserts 'empty' and 'lifeless' spaces, as some people have painted them? Brahim El Guabli gives an overview of the colonising effects of 'Saharanism' in this clip from our recent event on #RangelandMyths. repairproject.org/rangeland-my...
Who defines what 'healthy' ecosystems look like, and what do different people value in them? Even if we think we know, ecosystems can also be variable, says Igshaan Samuels in this clip from our recent event on #RangelandMyths. repairproject.org/rangeland-my... #IYRP2026 @iyrp2026.bsky.social
What does a 'healthy' ecosystem look like? If you picture a green, tree-filled landscape, you're not alone - but the reality is often different, says Linda Pappagallo in a clip from our recent event on #RangelandMyths. repairproject.org/rangeland-my...
We're at #POLLEN26 next week, with a fantastic panel convened by @amberhuff.bsky.social and @adriannel.bsky.social on Monday 29 June. The panel will discuss 'nature-based' interventions in Southern African rangelands. All the details are on the programme website: nomadit.co.uk/conference/p...
In this video clip, John Harold of @plantlifeuk.bsky.social discusses how pastoralism is (not) seen in Eryri (Snowdonia), at our recent #RangelandMyths online discussion. To listen to John's full talk and those of other speakers, check out our podcast. repairproject.substack.com/p/myth-peopl...
When people think of Eryri national park (Snowdonia), they don't always think of people and livestock. It's one example of a persistent myth that humans, livestock and biodiversity cannot coexist, says John Harold at our recent #RangelandMyths discussion. repairproject.substack.com/p/myth-peopl...
Myth: People and livestock are bad for biodiversity
The fifth in our series on 'Rangeland Myths'.
repairproject.substack.com
Ideas about biodiversity, and what a landscape should look like, are deeply shaped by assumptions and culture - as Linda Pappagallo explains in our recent online event on #RangelandMyths. For more, listen to the REPAiR Podcast: repairproject.substack.com/p/myth-peopl...
Why does it seem so difficult to disentangle whether grazing is good or bad for biodiversity and ecosystem function? repairproject.org/blog-archive... In this blog post for @repairproject.bsky.social , and in the context of #IYRP, I explain cultural and ecological issues that add complexity.
The misunderstood relation between biodiversity and pastoralism - REPAiR project
repairproject.org
17 June is our next online discussion on #RangelandMyths. This time, we'll explore the myth that 'healthy ecosystems are green'. Our latest newsletter includes links to a new think-piece, registration for the event, a podcast and other news: repairproject.substack.com/p/rangeland-...
Rangeland myths: 'Healthy ecosystems are green'
Read our think piece, listen to a new interview with Brahim El Guabli, and sign up to our event on 17 June. Plus: news and insights from REPAiR's research in South Africa and Madagascar.
repairproject.substack.com
This month, we're exploring myths about people, livestock & biodiversity in rangelands. Join our online event on 28 May with @pablopastos.bsky.social, Munib Khanyari, John Harold, Rashmi Singh & @geofrancismasse.bsky.social. biodiversity-myths.eventbrite.co.uk #IYRP2026 @iyrp2026.bsky.social
Exploring rangeland myths: 'People and livestock are bad for biodiversity'
This online discussion explores myths about the impacts of humans and livestock on wildlife, and ideas about nature and conservation.
biodiversity-myths.eventbrite.co.uk
Zebu grazing grounds in southwest Madagascar, featuring several grass species, water sources, trees and other spiny plants, raketa (prickly pear) and signs of other wildlife, including birds and giant snails. Water and grasses vary with the seasons. #iyrp2026
Zebu grazing grounds in southwest Madagascar, featuring several grass species, water sources, trees and other spiny plants, raketa (prickly pear) and signs of other wildlife, including birds and giant snails. Water and grasses vary with the seasons. #iyrp2026
Travelling south from Antananarivo, the REPAiR project team are observing & documenting the species of grasses we find by the roadside. Certain grasses are important for maintaining healthy livestock, and using fire and grazing patterns can help to promote new fresh growth.
“As voluntary carbon markets evolve [..], we must be aware of how this process can affect not only how rangelands and pastoralism are ‘seen’ and valued within climate governance discourse & policy spaces, but how responsibilities and challenges associated with climate change itself are distributed”
REPAiR Project@repairproject.bsky.social · 4mo ago'Myth: Carbon is carbon' repairproject.org/Blog/myth-ca... Myths and abstractions of carbon are shaping climate policy and markets in new ways. Read @amberhuff.bsky.social's think piece, and join our online discussion on 23 April: myth-carbon-is-carbon.eventbrite.co.uk #IYRP2026
'Myth: Carbon is carbon' repairproject.org/Blog/myth-ca... Myths and abstractions of carbon are shaping climate policy and markets in new ways. Read @amberhuff.bsky.social's think piece, and join our online discussion on 23 April: myth-carbon-is-carbon.eventbrite.co.uk #IYRP2026
The irony: conservation involving fenced-off 'hard boundaries' can lead to shrinking space for wildlife. @tekgw.bsky.social explored findings from Kenya and Tanzania at our February event on #rangelandmyths about Mobility. #IYRP2026 #pastoralism #conservation
Do pastoralists simply need 'more markets' to thrive? repairproject.org/Blog/myth-pa... Read Linda Pappagallo's think-piece and join our online discussion on 26 March with Timothy Gibbs, Oluwaṣeun Williams, @camelilse.bsky.social and Lars Otto Naess. #IYRP2026 @iyrp2026.bsky.social @ids.ac.uk
Myth: Pastoralists need more markets to thrive - REPAiR project
The myth that pastoralists simply need ‘more markets’ to thrive rests on a set of deeply rooted assumptions about markets and animal husbandry.
repairproject.org
Do pastoralists simply need 'more markets' to thrive? repairproject.org/Blog/myth-pa... Read Linda Pappagallo's think-piece and join our online discussion on 26 March with Timothy Gibbs, Oluwaṣeun Williams, @camelilse.bsky.social and Lars Otto Naess. #IYRP2026 @iyrp2026.bsky.social @ids.ac.uk
Myth: Pastoralists need more markets to thrive - REPAiR project
The myth that pastoralists simply need ‘more markets’ to thrive rests on a set of deeply rooted assumptions about markets and animal husbandry.
repairproject.org
In South Africa’s meat industry, a simple divide between ‘informal/formal’ farmers, butchers & traders doesn’t reflect the reality. Relying on outdated models could hamper the country’s response to the devastation of FMD (foot-and-mouth disease). repairproject.org/Blog/getting...
Getting beyond the formal/informal divide - REPAiR project
A simple distinction between 'informal' and 'formal' meat production in South Africa is misleading, and may generate unhelpful responses in policy.
repairproject.org
This month, in our #RangelandMyths series, we examine the myth that 'Mobility drives conflict and insecurity'. Read the think piece by Linda Pappagallo: repairproject.org/Blog/myth-mo... Join our online discussion on 26 February with @tekgw.bsky.social: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-...
Read our latest update on #RangelandMyths - this month, we're asking why many people and policies are so biased against mobility (and mobile livelihoods). repairproject.substack.com/p/rangeland-...
Rangeland myths: 'Mobility drives conflict and insecurity'
Read our think-piece and sign up for an online discussion on 26 February.
repairproject.substack.com
This month, in our #RangelandMyths series, we examine the myth that 'Mobility drives conflict and insecurity'. Read the think piece by Linda Pappagallo: repairproject.org/Blog/myth-mo... Join our online discussion on 26 February with @tekgw.bsky.social: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/exploring-...
What is nature? Some see nature as a set of 'stocks of resources' to be exchanged and traded. But there are many more complex ways of valuing nature. Frank Matose spoke at our online event on rangelands & the myth of 'Tragedy of the Commons'. #rangelandmyths #IYRP2026 @iyrp2026.bsky.social
What is property? How does a narrow view of ownership & property lie behind the so-called ‘Tragedy of the Commons’? Frank Matose explains at our event on #RangelandMyths #IYRP2026
What is property? How does a narrow view of ownership & property lie behind the so-called ‘Tragedy of the Commons’? Frank Matose explains at our event on #RangelandMyths #IYRP2026
“Most would agree that the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ thesis is flawed, logically inconsistent, and downright dangerous… Yet it has taken on a life of its own as an enduring master myth.” - @amberhuff.bsky.social repairproject.org/Blog/the-tra... #tragedyofthecommons #rangelandmyths #IYRP2026
Myth: The tragedy of the commons is inevitable - REPAiR project
As the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists calls attention to the global diversity, importance, and governance of the world’s rangelands, the myth of the tragedy of the commons is partic...
repairproject.org
“Most would agree that the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’ thesis is flawed, logically inconsistent, and downright dangerous… Yet it has taken on a life of its own as an enduring master myth.” - @amberhuff.bsky.social repairproject.org/Blog/the-tra... #tragedyofthecommons #rangelandmyths #IYRP2026
Myth: The tragedy of the commons is inevitable - REPAiR project
As the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists calls attention to the global diversity, importance, and governance of the world’s rangelands, the myth of the tragedy of the commons is partic...
repairproject.org
Dust in heat haze. Hooves on dry ground. Red scars slice the hills. It's a familiar scene. But the photo is an AI-generated image. @amberhuff.bsky.social and Linda Pappagallo discuss how 'rangeland myths’ shape our view of landscapes & livelihoods: repairproject.org/Blog/rethink... #IYRP2026
Rethinking what we think we know about rangelands and pastoralism - REPAiR project
In 2026, REPAiR is exploring ‘rangeland myths’. In this introductory blog, we explain why we think this work is important, discuss what it builds on, and emphasise the need to rethink what we think we...
repairproject.org
