Biocultural practices for more resilient and multifunctional urban nature-based solutions

The long-term viability of much of the current investment in nature restoration and protection as ‘nature-based solutions’ (NbS) to a host of societal challenges hinges on assumptions and hope that people will see value in often latent or indirectly ‘beneficial’ functions. However, we contend that for NbS to truly make sense to people — and to engage communities more actively in long-term maintenance — NbS need to be activated and imbued with meanings and practices more directly connected to contemporary and traditional life frames and habits. Once socio-culturally activated, continued care and biocultural management practices may help fill the still problematic gap in terms of long-term maintenance of NbS. Adopted and adapted biocultural practices, especially as they pertain to Indigenous perspectives and local ecological knowledge, may help tackle this dual challenge and make the current push for urban NbS deliver an infrastructure embedded in traditions and practices that invite stewardship and meaningful engagement, as well as support processes of recovery and restoration.