Tomas M Koontz Livres

Exploring the intersection of public forest management and policy, this book delves into the dynamics of federalism and decentralization of control over public lands. It highlights the contrasting strengths of state and national agencies, with state bodies excelling in economic outputs while national agencies prioritize citizen engagement and environmental protection. Rather than focusing solely on historical roles, it emphasizes how officials enact and implement policies at different governance levels, providing empirical evidence on the significance of devolution in public land management.

Analyzes a series of cases to understand how collaborative processes work and whether government can be an equal partner even as government agencies often formally control decision making and are held accountable for the outcomes, looking at examples where government has led, encouraged, or followed in collaboration.

Not long ago, pottery was a lost art in Chihuahua, Mexico. But in the 1970s, near the ruins of Casas Grandes, an art revolution was born. Inspired by ancient pottery fragments from a tradition that had disappeared before the arrival of the first Europeans, a self-taught woodcutter-turned-artist reinvented an entire ceramic technology. Today Casas Grandes pottery, made by hand from local clays and mineral colors by a handful of artists, claims high prices and sets the standard for contemporary pottery. Photographer Sandra Smith traveled to Mata Ortíz to photograph the potters and to record their reflections on their work. Her portraits document their techniques—collecting and preparing the clay, forming by hand, sanding, and painting. They also capture intimate moments between artists and their art. For anyone who has ever admired Casas Grandes pottery, Portraits of Clay is a beautiful introduction to the potters and their work.