As a newfound resident of Marrakech for just a month, my experiences have predominantly been limited to the flat, urban areas of the city center. When the opportunity arose to join in on a field visit to the mountainous villages of Timchi and Agouns to monitor the progress of water infrastructure, temporary shelter, and terrace farming projects, I knew I would get the chance to see a new side to this region of Morocco.

About one hour into the drive, my surroundings drastically changed as we climbed higher and drove deeper into the mountains. Although I was amazed and impressed by the sheer size of the mountains surrounding me, my immediate feelings were of isolation. When I saw the small villages nestled in the valleys and winding roads laid across the steeply sloped mountains, I wondered how people got by living in an area so hard to access.

These villages are also vulnerable to the natural processes of the earth, particularly earthquakes. I could only imagine during the recent 2023 earthquake that shook the Atlas Mountain region how the sky would seem to be falling in as rocks from the mountains rain down and funnel into the valleys.

The village of Timchi is one of many examples of villages still feeling the effects of the 2023 earthquake. Our goal in this village was to monitor the provision of temporary shelters for the people living here, temporary shelters necessary due to the destruction caused by the earthquake.

I learned and saw that even when necessities as important as homes were destroyed, even when water infrastructure was critically damaged, there was a resilient refusal among the Timchi people. Where does this sense of courage to stick to one’s values, traditions, and culture, even in such hard times, come from? Walking throughout Timchi, guided by community leaders and followed by curious kids, it was clear that the people of Timchi highly value the cultural and spiritual importance of their land.

In this value is where their desire for sustainability lies. There is an understanding of all the ways in which land and people can provide for each other so long as the relationship is mutually beneficial.

This idea was reiterated to me as we continued our drive up the rocky steep road to Agouns, only to be held up with a flat tire. In order to still meet with the community members, we continued the journey on foot. I was humbled as I slowly and breathlessly climbed my way up the hills of the village, something that the people of Agouns do everyday with ease. As I walked, I passed the rows and rows of terraces dug into the sides of the mountain for farming of corn, onions, apple trees, and other crops that Agouns farmers cultivate.

Once again, this village exemplifies the practice of adapting to nature in order to continue living in a place of deep-rooted importance. When this type of connection to land exists, it in turn breeds sustainability and resilience.

Encouraging a deep connection with land to communities and nations around the world in order to promote sustainability may not always be the most realistic path to achieving true sustainability. If I learned one thing from my field visits to Timchi and Agouns, it is that people have different relationships to their environment, different levels of connection to their land, and value different aspects of the human-nature relationship.

For some people, it is simply the beauty of their surroundings that inspire them to protect the environment. Personally, the beauty of my own home is one of the biggest things I cherish, and this translates into wanting to preserve that beauty through sustainability. At the same time, some people may value their environment solely because of what it provides for them while still recognizing that they need to maintain it in order to benefit from it.

In the end, these differences are inconsequential if the outcome of sustainability is the same. Therefore, the key to promoting sustainability lies in understanding what people value most about their environment. Only then will individuals or communities feel the motivation or passion to protect and preserve their environment.