Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

4-2026

Document Type

Master's Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Program

Liberal Studies

Advisor

Gregory Sholette

Subject Categories

Environmental Studies | Nature and Society Relations | Place and Environment | Race and Ethnicity | Urban Studies and Planning

Keywords

Environmental justice, sacred groves, urban nature restoration, biodiversity, community well-being, Black and Indigenous ecologies, cultural heritage

Abstract

My capstone explores how the concept of sacred groves—a community-based practice of conserving forest areas for cultural, spiritual, or religious purposes—can be reimagined as a framework for urban environmental stewardship and community care. Sacred groves have historically varied across time and place but consistently serve as protected spaces that honor divine forces, ancestors, and community values. In the Yoruba context, groves demarcate lush forests as abodes for oriṣas (divine forces) and spiritual beings, often containing shrines and artifacts that embody cultural beliefs. My capstone draws on the sacred grove concept and aims to illustrate how urban communities might adopt sacred grove principles to reclaim and care for their environments, especially for underserved groups and Black diasporas. This project examines the connections between cultural heritage preservation, environmental health, and community-driven solutions to environmental injustice and climate change. Through artistic exploration and community-engaged approaches, I seek to develop new, inclusive methods for urban nature restoration and cultural continuity, culminating in a conceptual framework for urban sacred groves presented as a graphic essay zine.

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