Holistic Management: A New Framework for Decision Making

by Allan Savory, Jody Butterfield

Increasingly sophisticated technology and an ever-expand-ing base of knowledge have not been enough to allow humans to halt the worldwide progression of environmental degradation. Extensive fieldwork in both Africa and the United States convinced Allan Savory that neither the forces of nature nor commonly blamed culprits -- overpopulation, poor farming practices, lack of financial support -- were causing the decline of once-healthy ecosystems. He also noted that once land has become degraded, leaving it alone seldom helps revitalize it. Savory eventually came to realize that on the most fundamental level, environmental problems are caused by human management decisions, and only through wholesale changes in the way decisions are made can functioning ecosystems be restored. In response to that startling discovery, Savory began to develop a revolutionary new approach to decision-making and management. Known initially as Holistic Resource Management, and now as simply Holistic Management, it considers humans, their economies, and the environment as inseparable. It includes a common-sense decision-making framework that requires no specialized knowledge or elaborate technology to utilize, and is applicable in any environment or management situation. At the heart of the approach lies a simple testing process that enables people to make decisions that simultaneously consider economic, social, and environmental realities, both short- and long-term. Holistic Management is a newly revised and updated edition of Holistic Resource Management (Island Press, 1988), which was the first book-length treatment of Savory's decision-making framework and how it could be applied. A decade of trial-and-error implementation has strengthened and clarified the book's ideas, and has expanded the scope of the process to include all manner of decisions and management situations, not just those that relate to land and resource management. Holistic Management has been practiced by thousands of people around the world to profitably restore and promote the health of their land through practices that mimic nature, and by many others who have sought a more rewarding personal or family life. This book is an essential handbook for anyone involved with land management and stewardship -- ranchers, farmers, resource managers, and others -- and a valuable guide for all those seeking to make better decisions within their organizations or in any aspect of their personal lives.

Genres: Agriculture, Nonfiction, Business, Nature, Environment, Reference, Science

644 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1998

Reviews

[Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it's been a while. I made it through most of the book, but bogged down once he left grazing science behind for business and management themes. I got the main points, anyhow, and will pound out some criticisms presently.

[Marta Briede · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. It took me a long time to read it all, some chapter I skipped because they were devoted to landowners. But even I am not a farmer myself I found this book extremely helpful to see agricultural world and decision making from a different perspective!

This book is probably not for everyone, but if you are related to agriculture and you own some land or livestock that this is a must-have book for you!

[Sheldon Frith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, to farmers, to land managers, to environmentalists, to business owners, policy makers, or anyone similar. The concepts found here can be found NOWHERE else, trust me I've looked. It's extremely practical, but also very intellectually interesting. I'd recommend reading the newest edition, as there are a lot of improvements.

[Adam Shand · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I "want to have read" but which I can't seem to muster the enthusiasm to actually finish. It's an amazing book, it triggers lots of thinking and ideas which makes it slow (but valuable) work for me.

Most of my work with HM so far has been with individuals and families rather than with land management. Because of that I've found that Ann Adams' At Home with Holistic Management provides way more practical value.

Once I'm grazing animals I expect to revisit this book with a new appreciation.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

While it sounds silly, this is a really valuable manual about how to prioritize your life and goals, as well as how to set up an effective rangeland management program - just doesn't look like it would be about cows does it?!

[number3nw · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating!

[Mwalkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A baseline, must-read book on holistic management.

[Mills College Library]

333.7 S268 1999