Wilderness and the Changing American West - Softcover

Rudzitis, Gundars

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0471133965 ISBN 13: 9780471133964

Publisher: Wiley, 1996

Synopsis

"an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeledby man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." --1964 Wilderness Act

In this thoughtful assessment of wilderness management policy andpractice, geographer Gundars Rudzitis explores the ongoingconflicts over the protection/exploitation of our westernwilderness areas. He separates the romantic myth of the Wild Westfrom past and present realities, and considers the influence of thetraditional self-image of the Westerner on wilderness managementpolicy. Rudzitis also explores the role of Native Americans andwhat their traditions can teach us about wildernessmanagement.

While clearly on the side of preservation--he rails against thepractice of placing wilderness areas in the care of governmentagencies that also promote the interests of the corporate resourceindustries--Professor Rudzitis approaches the subject with ascientist's devotion to the facts. He assesses crucial issuesevenhandedly and offers honest appraisals of new and emerging landmanagement trends, including ecosystem management and theprivatization of public lands. He calls for the dramatic andcontroversial changes necessary to protect our wildernessheritage.

Wilderness and the Changing American West is essential reading forpublic policymakers; land management, wildlife, park andrecreation, and economic development officials; environmentalists;and everyone interested in the preservation and/or use of thisprecious national treasure.

About this title

About the Author

GUNDARS RUDZITIS, PhD, is Professor of Geography at the University of Idaho. He received his doctorate in geography from the University of Chicago, where he also studied economics.

From the Back Cover

"an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." ― 1964 Wilderness Act

In this thoughtful assessment of wilderness management policy and practice, geographer Gundars Rudzitis explores the ongoing conflicts over the protection/exploitation of our western wilderness areas. He separates the romantic myth of the Wild West from past and present realities, and considers the influence of the traditional self-image of the Westerner on wilderness management policy. Rudzitis also explores the role of Native Americans and what their traditions can teach us about wilderness management.

While clearly on the side of preservation―he rails against the practice of placing wilderness areas in the care of government agencies that also promote the interests of the corporate resource industries―Professor Rudzitis approaches the subject with a scientist's devotion to the facts. He assesses crucial issues evenhandedly and offers honest appraisals of new and emerging land management trends, including ecosystem management and the privatization of public lands. He calls for the dramatic and controversial changes necessary to protect our wilderness heritage.

Wilderness and the Changing American West is essential reading for public policymakers; land management, wildlife, park and recreation, and economic development officials; environmentalists; and everyone interested in the preservation and/or use of this precious national treasure.

In this thoughtful assessment of wilderness management policy and practice, geographer Gundars Rudzitis explores the ongoing conflicts over the protection/exploitation of our western wilderness areas. He separates the romantic myth of the Wild West from past and present realities, and considers the influence of the traditional self-image of the Westerner on wilderness management policy. Rudzitis also explores the role of Native Americans and what their traditions can teach us about wilderness management.

While clearly on the side of preservation—he rails against the practice of placing wilderness areas in the care of government agencies that also promote the interests of the corporate resource industries—Professor Rudzitis approaches the subject with a scientist's devotion to the facts. He assesses crucial issues evenhandedly and offers honest appraisals of new and emerging land management trends, including ecosystem management and the privatization of public lands. He calls for the dramatic and controversial changes necessary to protect our wilderness heritage.

Wilderness and the Changing American West is essential reading for public policymakers; land management, wildlife, park and recreation, and economic development officials; environmentalists; and everyone interested in the preservation and/or use of this precious national treasure.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471133965
• ISBN 13: 9780471133964
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240