Line Fork: A Winter at Lilley Cornett Woods

Line Fork: A Winter at Lilley Cornett Woods

My project, "Line Fork: A Winter at Lilley Cornett Woods" explored constructions of nature and their influences on cultural identity and interactions with nature. The models I used were Appalachian mountaineer culture, Black American mainstream culture, Ojibwe Anishinaabe culture, and White American mainstream culture. I found that constructions of nature as separate from or opposite to civilization tend to allow for the use of nature as well as those close to or perceived to be close to nature, as resources with little to no consequence. I also explored the way that in communities where civilization is modeled after nature, the people tend to act in positive relationships and form long-term connections with nature. This is because when nature is intrinsic to civilization, societies encourage the formation of a reciprocating relationship between people and the rest of our environment as a necessary aspect of maintaining cultural balance.