Overview

The author of this study suggests that attitudes toward land-use may reflect profound differences in class, religion and life experience, pitting urban Americans who see nature at risk against rural Americans whose lives are dominated by nature's forces. Knott reports her conversations with people with divergent views of the Adirondack forest: Native Americans for whom it is tribal land and visitors for whom it is scenery, residents who hunt for food and sportsmen who shoot deer for trophy antlers, members of local citizens' groups and organizers from ""Earth First!"". She documents the thoughts and feelings of people whose lives are intimately connected to the forest, including loggers, trappers, craftspeople and guides, as well as tree farmers and maple syrup producers. After describing the key players in the conflict and chronicling battles and bridge-building between stake-holders, Knott concludes that the participation of local people in decision-making is the only process which can shift an increasingly hostile cycle towards resolution.

Full Product Details

9780801431227

Table of Contents

Reviews

While locals are inherently integral to land use decisions, their story is seldom coherently placed within the context of competing interests. Knott effectively places local perspectives in the Adirondack land use conflict to illustrate the need for participatory approaches to decision-making. --Valerie A. Luzadis, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Knott's first-hand reportage from the dramatic public hearings held in the Park on the Commission's report is riveting, an example of the value of participant observation. --Blueline Knott's excellent overview of the issues and perspectives of management and uses of the Adirondack forest draws upon this forest to frame the wider land-use debate taking place across the nation, especially in the Northwest.... This book also contributes to the emerging concepts within ecosystem management, using the critical lessons learned in the Adirondack forest as an example. Excellent bibliography; good illustrations; thorough index. General readers; upper-division undergraduates through professionals. --Choice An interesting read for those studying American land use conflicts and those with regional interests in the North Country. Though it has a particular philosophical perspective, it is straightforward about its perspective and intelligently portrays the complexities of the Adirondack situation. --Journal of Cultural Geography

While locals are inherently integral to land use decisions, their story is seldom coherently placed within the context of competing interests. Knott effectively places local perspectives in the Adirondack land use conflict to illustrate the need for participatory approaches to decision-making. -- Valerie A. Luzadis, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Knott's first-hand reportage from the dramatic public hearings held in the Park on the Commission's report is riveting, an example of the value of participant observation. * Blueline * Knott's excellent overview of the issues and perspectives of management and uses of the Adirondack forest draws upon this forest to frame the wider land-use debate taking place across the nation, especially in the Northwest.... This book also contributes to the emerging concepts within ecosystem management, using the critical lessons learned in the Adirondack forest as an example. Excellent bibliography; good illustrations; thorough index. General readers; upper-division undergraduates through professionals. * Choice * An interesting read for those studying American land use conflicts and those with regional interests in the North Country. Though it has a particular philosophical perspective, it is straightforward about its perspective and intelligently portrays the complexities of the Adirondack situation. * Journal of Cultural Geography *

Author Information

Catherine Henshaw Knott is Director of Women in International Development and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Oregon State University.

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