Tucker, Catherine

Mountains are globally ubiquitous but locally unique, and present numerous examples of long-enduring common-pool resource regimes. A number of theoretical contributions to scholarship focus on mountain commons (pastures, forests, alpine meadows, irrigation systems, glaciers) and the resilient Indigenous and local communities that govern them. At the same time, mountains appear to be particularly vulnerable to rapid climate change, disaster risks, extractive mining operations, imposition of problematic policies, and tourism-related impacts on fragile social-ecological systems. This panel will examine how mountain communities and their allies are addressing challenges and finding opportunities to maintain and defend their commons. Given that mountains encompass diverse cultures, languages, rural and urban commons as well as highly variable landscapes and governance systems, the panel invites papers across the spectrum of theoretical frameworks, critical approaches, observations, and applied experiences of challenges and possibilities for mountain commons and their peoples. For example, cases might involve revitalizing traditional practices, undertaking transdisciplinary projects, experimenting with new practices, decolonizing institutional arrangements, challenging inequitable power relations, developing strategies to mitigate climate change and counteract inappropriate external interventions, as well as pursuing legal remedies and novel partnerships.

This panel welcomes explorations of how commoners maintain and remake themselves and their commons to fit changing circumstances. Intergenerational transmission of practices and shared values, effective responses to social-economic and climatic change, and thoughtful evolution of institutions to manage shared resources are key to sustainable commons and successful commoning. Examples might include novel collaborations, innovations in governance and leadership, experimentation with new techniques and technologies, approaches for intentional learning, and emergence of new rationales for commoning and strategies for defending commons. Given current global challenges, this panel will recognize concerns, successes and challenges that arise for commoners as they undertake creative commoning amidst societal, political economic, and environmental uncertainties. Possible questions of interest encompass, but are not limited to: What types of transmission processes and innovations show promise for maintaining and renewing commons (natural and cultural)? To what extent do innovations and transmission efforts contribute to active engagement of people of all ages, genders and capacities with commons management and governance? How do innovations in commoning carry promise for strengthening communities, distributing economic benefits more equitably, and supporting environmental justice? What approaches have broader relevance for building and renewing local institutions to sustain communities and their commons over time?