Living with the Adirondack Forest: Local Perspectives on Land-Use Conflicts

by Catherine Henshaw Knott

Overview

Attitudes about land use, Catherine Henshaw Knott suggests, 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. 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 that can shift an increasingly hostile cycle toward resolution.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801431227
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	03/17/1998
Series:	6/30/2008
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.12(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

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

What People are Saying About This

Valerie A. Luzadis

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.

Editorial Reviews

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

"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

"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

"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

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"

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"

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"

From the Publisher