Settler Ecologies: The Enduring Nature of Settler Colonialism in Kenya

Settler Ecologies explores how settler colonialism is memorialized and perpetuated through ecological relations, using immersive methods to reveal how animals and plants are enlisted in the reproduction of settler colonialism in Laikipia, Kenya. It describes five modes of violent ecological transformation used to prolong structures of settler colonialism, including eliminating undesired species, rewilding landscapes, repeopling nature, rescuing injured animals, and extending settler ecologies through landscape approaches to conservation. The book serves as a cautionary tale for future conservation agendas in all settler colonies, highlighting the need to question whether the types of nature being preserved advance settler colonial structures or create conditions in which ecologies can otherwise be (re)made and flourish.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 12 April 2024
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Settler Ecologies: Unveiling the Legacy of Settler Colonialism through Ecological Relations
Settler colonialism has left an indelible mark on the world, shaping the landscapes, cultures, and societies of many regions. In her book, Settler Ecologies, Charis Enns explores how settler colonialism becomes memorialized and lives on through ecological relations. Drawing on eight years of research in Laikipia, Kenya, Enns and Brock Bersaglio employ immersive methods to reveal how animals and plants can be enlisted in the reproduction of settler colonialism.

The book delves into how ecological relations have been unmade and remade to enable settler colonialism to endure as a structure in this part of Kenya. It outlines five modes of violent ecological transformation used to prolong settler colonialism: eliminating undesired species, rewilding landscapes with species desirable to settler ecologists, repeopling nature to create seemingly more inclusive ecologies and capitalize on biocultural diversity, rescuing injured animals and endangered species to shore up support for settler ecologies, and extending settler ecologies through landscape approaches to conservation that scale wild spaces.

Settler Ecologies serves as a cautionary tale for future conservation agendas in all settler colonies. While urgent action is needed to halt global biodiversity loss, this book underscores the need to continually question whether the types of nature being preserved advance settler colonial structures or create conditions in which ecologies can otherwise be (re)made and flourish.

Enns' research in Laikipia, Kenya, provides a unique perspective on the complex and multifaceted nature of settler colonialism. She highlights how settler colonialism has shaped the landscape, with large-scale land acquisitions and the displacement of indigenous communities. She also explores how settler colonialism has impacted the flora and fauna of the region, with the introduction of non-native species and the destruction of native habitats.

One of the key themes of Settler Ecologies is the role of animals and plants in the reproduction of settler colonialism. Enns argues that animals and plants can be enlisted in the reproduction of settler colonialism through a variety of means, including the use of animals for hunting, the cultivation of crops, and the extraction of resources. She also highlights how settler colonialism has shaped the way that animals and plants are perceived and valued, with some species being seen as valuable resources and others as pests or threats.

Enns' research also reveals the ways in which settler colonialism has been resisted and challenged. She highlights the role of indigenous communities in resisting settler colonialism, through the use of traditional knowledge, land management practices, and political activism. She also explores the ways in which settler colonialism has been challenged by environmentalists and conservationists, who have sought to protect the natural environment and the rights of indigenous communities.

However, Enns also acknowledges the challenges that remain in the fight against settler colonialism. She highlights the ongoing impacts of colonialism on the environment, including climate change, deforestation, and pollution. She also notes the ongoing struggles of indigenous communities to regain their land and resources, and the ongoing challenges of environmentalists and conservationists to protect the natural environment.

In conclusion, Settler Ecologies is a powerful and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of settler colonialism. Through her research in Laikipia, Kenya, Enns reveals how settler colonialism becomes memorialized and lives on through ecological relations. She highlights the role of animals and plants in the reproduction of settler colonialism and the ways in which settler colonialism has been resisted and challenged. However, she also acknowledges the challenges that remain in the fight against settler colonialism and the ongoing struggles of indigenous communities to regain their land and resources.

Settler colonialism has left an indelible mark on the world, shaping the landscapes, cultures, and societies of many regions. In her book, Settler Ecologies, Charis Enns explores how settler colonialism becomes memorialized and lives on through ecological relations. Drawing on eight years of research in Laikipia, Kenya, Enns and Brock Bersaglio employ immersive methods to reveal how animals and plants can be enlisted in the reproduction of settler colonialism.

The book delves into how ecological relations have been unmade and remade to enable settler colonialism to endure as a structure in this part of Kenya. It outlines five modes of violent ecological transformation used to prolong settler colonialism: eliminating undesired species, rewilding landscapes with species desirable to settler ecologists, repeopling nature to create seemingly more inclusive ecologies and capitalize on biocultural diversity, rescuing injured animals and endangered species to shore up support for settler ecologies, and extending settler ecologies through landscape approaches to conservation that scale wild spaces.

Settler Ecologies serves as a cautionary tale for future conservation agendas in all settler colonies. While urgent action is needed to halt global biodiversity loss, this book underscores the need to continually question whether the types of nature being preserved advance settler colonial structures or create conditions in which ecologies can otherwise be (re)made and flourish.

Enns' research in Laikipia, Kenya, provides a unique perspective on the complex and multifaceted nature of settler colonialism. She highlights how settler colonialism has shaped the landscape, with large-scale land acquisitions and the displacement of indigenous communities. She also explores how settler colonialism has impacted the flora and fauna of the region, with the introduction of non-native species and the destruction of native habitats.

One of the key themes of Settler Ecologies is the role of animals and plants in the reproduction of settler colonialism. Enns argues that animals and plants can be enlisted in the reproduction of settler colonialism through a variety of means, including the use of animals for hunting, the cultivation of crops, and the extraction of resources. She also highlights how settler colonialism has shaped the way that animals and plants are perceived and valued, with some species being seen as valuable resources and others as pests or threats.

Enns' research also reveals the ways in which settler colonialism has been resisted and challenged. She highlights the role of indigenous communities in resisting settler colonialism, through the use of traditional knowledge, land management practices, and political activism. She also explores the ways in which settler colonialism has been challenged by environmentalists and conservationists, who have sought to protect the natural environment and the rights of indigenous communities.

However, Enns also acknowledges the challenges that remain in the fight against settler colonialism. She highlights the ongoing impacts of colonialism on the environment, including climate change, deforestation, and pollution. She also notes the ongoing struggles of indigenous communities to regain their land and resources, and the ongoing challenges of environmentalists and conservationists to protect the natural environment.

In conclusion, Settler Ecologies is a powerful and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of settler colonialism. Through her research in Laikipia, Kenya, Enns reveals how settler colonialism becomes memorialized and lives on through ecological relations. She highlights the role of animals and plants in the reproduction of settler colonialism and the ways in which settler colonialism has been resisted and challenged. However, she also acknowledges the challenges that remain in the fight against settler colonialism and the ongoing struggles of indigenous communities to regain their land and resources.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 150 x 228 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487553616