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The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World

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The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World

written by Robin Wall Kimmerer, illustrated by John Burgoyne

As Indigenous scientist and author of BRAIDING SWEETGRASS Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition and the hoarding of resources, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry’s relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth --- its abundance of sweet, juicy berries --- to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution insures its own survival.

The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World
written by Robin Wall Kimmerer, illustrated by John Burgoyne

  • Publication Date: November 19, 2024
  • Genres: Nature, Nonfiction
  • Hardcover: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Scribner
  • ISBN-10: 1668072246
  • ISBN-13: 9781668072240