Selected audio work

Sacha Taki

The Kichwa people of the Ecuadorian Amazon are taking part in an ongoing participatory action project which is called “Sacha Taki, sounds of the forest.” It’s to try and register and articulate the ecological, cultural, social and sprititual value of their forests. It addresses the conservation of biological and cultural diversity through soundscape heritage.

In 2008 Ecuador became the first country in the world to recognize the rights of nature in it’s national constitution based on the cosmovision of its Indigenous people. However, the current conservative government which favours extractive interests means that rivers and climate critical areas in the country are still under threat.

Thank you to the Kichwa Kawsak Sacha people for sharing your knowledge.

Made for BBC Radio 4: Shortcuts

(Starts at 16:30 min)

The Acoustic Value of the Cloud Forest

The Mashpi cloud forest in Ecuador grows where water vapor from the Amazon meets the Andes mountains. A lush forest home to over 400 bird species, it faces threats from deforestation and mining. Conservationists are pushing for the Mashpi cloud forest to be protected by the UNESCO World Heritage Center on the basis of “acoustic value,” because of the rich diversity of natural sounds heard in the ecosystem.

Made for BirdNote Podcast

Urban Foraging

Audio postcard from Portland's Eastern Promenade. Cities can be treasure troves of wild edible plants. 

Produced at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies.