

Brian Donahue, "Slow Wood: Greener Building from Local Forests" (Yale UP, 2024)
Nov 26, 2024
Brian Donahue, Emeritus Professor at Brandeis University and co-owner of Bascom Hollow Farm, discusses sustainable building practices with local wood. He highlights his journey of constructing a home using underappreciated tree species like hemlock and black cherry. Donahue critiques the industrial wood economy and urges a return to sustainable forestry reminiscent of early colonial practices. He emphasizes the need for a harmony between conservation and housing demands, advocating for innovative solutions to build responsibly with the environment.
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Journey to Sustainable Living
02:00 • 13min
Intertwined Histories: Forests and Early New England Agriculture
15:20 • 3min
Colonial Roots and Sustainable Forestry
18:25 • 15min
Rethinking Property Ownership and Preservation
33:31 • 4min
Balancing Conservation and Housing Needs
37:12 • 10min
Reflections on Farming, Writing, and Reconciliation
47:00 • 2min