by Emily Bounds
[From Feminist Collections v.24, no.1 (Fall 2002)]
Most ecofeminist websites are developed and maintained by individuals with a strong interest in ecofeminism. These sites characterize ecofeminism as the particular cross-section of feminist studies that addresses the mutually beneficial relationship between nature and the feminine (as opposed to the dominant relationship of the masculine over nature). Similarities are also pointed out between the subjugation and exploitation of women and that of the environment, both at the hands of the male hierarchy. A number of other websites are by self-described ecofeminists who are particularly interested in the concept of women either as "goddesses" (of nature) or as synonymous with nature; these sites discuss the concept of goddess worship.
Although there are many established sites on the Internet devoted to feminism or environmentalism, relatively few concentrate specifically on the relationship between the two. Of those that do, most are impermanent sites designed by women's studies professors for specific courses or by activists or hobbyists who have not been able to keep them (particularly their links to other sites) up-to-date.
Women's studies journals still provide the most substantial information about ecofeminism. As the field continues to expand--in terms of scholars, activists, and range of issues--the selection of websites in this area presumably will expand as well. Currently, the sites listed below collectively provide a good deal of diverse information relating to ecofeminism.
URL: http://faculty.pittstate.edu/~knichols/flora.html
Developed/maintained by: Kathleen Nichols, Ph.D., Pittsburg State University, Kansas
Last updated: April 22, 2002
Reviewed: September 20, 2002; revisited: December 12, 2002
Part of a larger site called "Gender, Nature, and Society in Literature and Art," this is an excellent source of information about ecofeminism and related concepts and provides links to a large number of key essays by such notable writers as Rosemary Radford Ruether, Susan Griffin, Vandana Shiva, and Karen J. Warren. There are many other links to essays and articles that do not discuss the specific discipline or movement of ecofeminism but are by writers who emphasize both ecology and feminism--for instance, Leslie Silko, Louise Erdich, and even early naturalist writers such as Margaret Fuller. Kathleen Nichols also links to another of her web pages, "Eco-Research Online," that provides a comprehensive list (with links) of various reputable organizations with environmentally conscious missions.
While its sheer mass of content might serve to establish this site as the central resource for finding valuable material in the field of ecofeminism, the presentation of link after link, threaded through running text, is somewhat overwhelming. It is difficult to get a sense of how large the site itself is, and it is not always immediately clear, when clicking on a link, that one is actually leaving Nichols' site entirely (or where exactly one is ending up).
URL: http://eve.enviroweb.org/
Developed/maintained by: Cathleen McGuire
Last updated: unknown
Reviewed: September 20, 2002; revisited: December 12, 2002
EVE ("Ecofeminist Visions Emerging") Online is an attractive, well-organized site hosted by Envirolink (an online, nonprofit, environmental community of volunteers and organizations from around the world).
Accessing the site map reveals links to original essays by EVE Online's designers and contributors that address a diverse array of issues relating to ecofeminism; most are opinion pieces written by ecofeminist activists, and should be considered as such. However, the site also includes a number of links to scholarly, research-based articles from professors in women's studies or related fields, as well as a bibliography highlighting a number of ecofeminist books, videos, and other resources. This is a good resource for those who are interested in an introduction to ecofeminism
URL: http://www.erraticimpact.com/~ecofeminism/
Developed/maintained by: Danne Polk
Last updated: Unknown
Reviewed: September 21, 2002; revisited: December 12, 2002
Erratic Impact's Philosophy Research Base, developed and maintained by a Villanova University philosophy instructor, offers a well-developed section of annotated links to ecofeminist books, journals, websites, news articles, and more. From the ecofeminism index page, there are also many links (by author) to publication and purchase information for many ecofeminist texts.
URL: http://www.wedo.org/
Developed/maintained by: WEDO
Last updated: unknown
Reviewed: September 21, 2002; revisited: December 12, 2002
WEDO, a New York-based, international, women's advocacy network founded by Bella Abzug and Mim Kelber in 1990, works to "increase the power of women worldwide as policymakers at all levels in governments, institutions and forums" as a means to "achieve economic and social justice, a healthy and peaceful planet, and human rights for all." While the organization does not explicitly bill itself as ecofeminist, it is an example of a group of women working worldwide, promoting and educating people about the principles of sustainable development and sound environmental practices. (See, for instance, "Sustainable Development" under "Program Areas" on the website.)
The content of the site consists mainly of reports from women's conferences concerning sustainable development and links to fairly well-known international women's groups such as the United Nations Development Fund for Women. The range of reports from women's conferences around the globe demonstrates the tremendous growth and impact the ideals of ecofeminism have had in recent years, especially for women from third- and fourth-world countries.
Developed/maintained by: Richard T. Twine, Institute for Environment, Philosophy, & Public Policy, Lancaster University, England
Last updated: December 20, 2002
Reviewed: December 29, 2002
This website provides a brief description of the ecofeminism movement, connects the reader to a fuller discussion in the site's e-journal, and offers links to bibliographic resources and other interesting ecofeminist sites.
The "Link to Journals" and "Book of the Month" sections, as well as Eco-fem.org's e-journal, are definite assets to the Web presence of the ecofeminist movement. While most of the entries in the "Link to Journals" section are not fulltext e-journals, detailed tables of contents provide bibliographic information for most of the articles published in them. The Web pages of most of these journals also display subscription as well as indexing and abstracting information.
URL: http://www.wildrockies.org/wve/
Developed/maintained by: WVE (Aimee Boulanger, Executive Director)
Last updated: September 2002
Reviewed: September 23, 2002; revisited: December 12, 2002
An ecofeminist group based in Montana, WVE strives to stop hazardous materials from being released into the environment. The "News" and "Toxic Campaigns" sections of this site exhibit the substantial achievements of the organization in Montana and surrounding states on behalf of women and the environment. Weavings, the group's quarterly newsletter, can be read online in PDF format. The site is a wonderful resource for learning about specific, local accomplishments; it also offers suggestions for getting involved with the various ecofeminist-related causes pursued by the organization.
[Emily Bounds is a reference librarian at Utah Valley State College.]
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