The landscapes of the Moroccan High Atlas have been shaped by close relationships between humans and natural environments for millennia. These cultural landscapes are maintained by the traditional practices of the Amazigh indigenous peoples who manage them. These practices support a regional biodiversity hotspot and ensure social and ecological resilience.

In our second episode, we do a deep dive into the Global Diversity Foundation’s work to preserve the cultural landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains. In the process, we discuss innovative actions to build a progressive national policy environment for cultural landscape maintenance, and strengthen governance systems that protect cultural landscapes.

Join us for a serious discussion interspersed with a lot of sweet moments, silliness and smiles as we sit down with Tasnim and Hafida who share the intimate motives that encourage them to pursue the work they do. They also delve into intricate identity questions relating to the underlying Amazigh heritage shared by Moroccans.

Tasnim Elboute joined our team in Spring 2021 as a policy consultant. She graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies in 2017. She has been based in Morocco since then, researching gender, agriculture, and food systems. After working in international education and development, she pursued a Master’s in Anthropology & Development at SOAS, University of London.

Hafida Mazoud, a Chevening scholar, joined us in May 2021, after completing a master’s degree in Food Science and Innovation at Manchester Metropolitan University. Hafida’s present work with GDF supports rural entrepreneurs and cooperatives increasing their viability and transitioning to more sustainable business models.