Voices of the Forest: Community Oral Histories from the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Rainforest) of Brazil

Dr. Jason Davis will present his recent research and artistic creation project as a Fulbright Scholar in Brazil, for which he recorded oral history interviews in traditional rural communities in the threatened Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Rainforest) of southeast Brazil. The Mata Atlântica is a biodiversity “mega-hotspot,” providing habitat for many threated species and delivering essential ecosystem services, including clean water, erosion control, and carbon sequestration. This biome contains 70% of the Brazilian human population, concentrated in large cities including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The forest is highly fragmented and is under threat from urban development and agricultural expansion. Dr. Davis will discuss his oral history research-creation methodology and share a video montage he created featuring interview excerpts with members of traditional communities and his original music.