🕥 10:30 A.M. | Savanna Pastures: Regenerating Earth’s Ultimate Ecosystems
We’re beyond excited to welcome Peter Allen—ecologist, researcher, teacher, and farmer—as the keynote speaker for this year’s EarthFest Expo!
Peter will take us on a fascinating journey through time in his talk, “Savanna Pastures: Regenerating Earth’s Ultimate Ecosystems.” Once the dominant ecosystem across much of North America—including the Driftless Region—oak savannas were lush landscapes of prairie grasses dotted with fruit and nut trees. These vibrant, diverse ecosystems nourished megafauna for millions of years and sustained Indigenous communities for millennia.
Now among the rarest and most endangered ecosystems, oak savannas offer a powerful model for building regenerative and profitable agro-ecosystems today. Peter will share how we can reclaim our role as a keystone species and restore these vital landscapes right here in the Driftless.
Peter brings a rare blend of ecological research and hands-on farming experience. As the founder of Mastodon Valley Farm, a 220-acre regenerative oasis in southwestern Wisconsin, he and his family live off-grid, raise livestock, grow their own food, and steward the land with a vision for long-term ecological health. His work blends complex systems science with real-world land management to help others design and grow thriving, functional ecosystems.
Don’t miss this inspiring and deeply informative keynote! 🌾🌳🐂