Underflows: Queer Trans Ecologies and River Justice

Underflows is a book that explores river cultures and politics at five sites of water conflict and restoration in California, Oregon, and Washington. It incorporates work with salmon, beaver, and floodplain recovery projects and weaves narratives about innovative field research practices with an affectively oriented queer and trans focus on love and grief for rivers and fish. It elucidates the underflows in river cultures, sciences, and politics where Native nations and marginalized communities fight to protect rivers, offering critical insights that point to innovative ways of doing science that disrupt settler colonialism and new visions for justice in river governance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 07 April 2022
Publisher: University of Washington Press

Rivers are not only home to diverse multispecies communities, but their future vitality depends on embracing the values of justice, sovereignty, and dynamism, according to queer-trans-feminist river scientist Cleo Wölfle Hazard. At the crossroads of river sciences, queer and trans theory, and environmental justice, Underflows delves into river cultures and politics at five sites of water conflict and restoration in California, Oregon, and Washington. By incorporating work with salmon, beaver, and floodplain recovery projects, Wölfle Hazard weaves narratives about innovative field research practices with an affectively oriented queer and trans focus on love and grief for rivers and fish. Drawing on the concept of underflows—the unseen parts of a river's flow, the underground currents that seep through soil or rise from aquifers through cracks in bedrock—Wölfle Hazard elucidates the underflows in river cultures, sciences, and politics where Native nations and marginalized communities fight to protect rivers. The result is a profoundly moving account of why rivers matter for queer and trans lives, offering critical insights that point to innovative ways of doing science that disrupt settler colonialism and new visions for justice in river governance.

Introduction:
Rivers are not only natural wonders but also vibrant ecosystems that support a wide range of plant and animal species. However, these rivers are not immune to the challenges posed by human activities and climate change. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of rivers for the well-being of both human and natural communities. This has led to a renewed interest in understanding the dynamics of river systems and developing strategies for their conservation and management.

Queer and Trans Theory:
Queer and trans theory is a critical lens through which to examine the relationship between rivers and human communities. Queer and trans scholars have argued that the concept of gender is not fixed or universal, but rather is shaped by social, cultural, and political factors. They have also pointed out that the experiences of marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color, are often erased or marginalized in mainstream discourse.

Environmental Justice:
Environmental justice is another important aspect of the study of rivers. Environmental justice refers to the fair treatment and protection of all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. It recognizes that marginalized communities are often disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and climate change.

Underflows:
Underflows is a project that explores the relationship between rivers and human communities at five sites of water conflict and restoration in California, Oregon, and Washington. The project is led by queer-trans-feminist river scientist Cleo Wölfle Hazard, who brings a unique perspective to the study of rivers.

The Importance of Rivers for Queer and Trans Life:
Rivers have long been important sites for LGBTQ+ individuals and communities to gather and connect. For example, the San Francisco Bay Area has a rich history of LGBTQ+ activism and culture that is closely tied to the nearby San Francisco Bay and its rivers. Rivers also provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as swimming, fishing, and kayaking, which can be particularly important for LGBTQ+ individuals who may face discrimination and marginalization in other settings.

Innovative Field Research Practices:
Underflows employs innovative field research practices to study the relationship between rivers and human communities. For example, the project incorporates work with salmon, beaver, and floodplain recovery projects. By working with these species, the project aims to understand how they are affected by human activities and how they can be used to restore and protect rivers.

Affectively Oriented Queer and Trans Focus:
One of the unique aspects of Underflows is its focus on the affective dimensions of the relationship between rivers and human communities. Wölfle Hazard weaves narratives about innovative field research practices with an affectively oriented queer and trans focus on love and grief for rivers and fish. This approach allows the project to connect with a wider audience and to raise awareness about the importance of rivers for queer and trans life.

Underflows and Settler Colonialism:
Underflows also explores the ways in which settler colonialism has impacted rivers and human communities. Settler colonialism refers to the process by which European colonizers established colonies in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, displacing and marginalizing indigenous peoples. In the case of rivers, settler colonialism has led to the degradation of river systems, the loss of habitat for wildlife, and the displacement of indigenous communities.

New Visions for Justice in River Governance:
The project offers critical insights that point to innovative ways of doing science that disrupt settler colonialism and new visions for justice in river governance. For example, the project advocates for the recognition of indigenous rights and the inclusion of marginalized communities in decision-making processes related to river management.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, rivers are not only important for the well-being of human and natural communities, but they are also sites of cultural and political significance. By embracing the values of justice, sovereignty, and dynamism, and by incorporating queer and trans theory and environmental justice, we can develop new visions for the conservation and management of rivers. Underflows is a project that is making important contributions to this effort, and we look forward to seeing the results of their work in the years to come.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295749747