Rethinking Wilderness and the Wild: Conflict, Conservation and Co-existence

Rethinking Wilderness and the Wild: Conflict,Conservation, and Co-existence explores the complexities surrounding the concept of wilderness, challenging the polarisation between 'fortress conservation' and 'co-existence schools of thought. It offers a nuanced, ethical and decolonising approach to issues arising from relationships with wilderness, drawing on case studies from Australia, Aoteoroa/New Zealand, the United States, and Iceland. The book demonstrates a strong commitment to respecting the knowledge and perspectives of Indigenous peoples and offers a unique and innovative contribution to engender transformations of wilderness scholarship, activism, and conservation policy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Rethinking Wilderness and the Wild: Conflict, Conservation, and Co-existence delves into the intricate complexities surrounding the concept of wilderness. In contemporary scholarship, there has been a tendency to divide into two schools of thought: the "fortress conservation" and "co-existence" camps. This book challenges these boundaries and seeks to broaden the intellectual and policy discourse by exploring alternative perspectives and lines of inquiry. It moves beyond the dichotomies of paradise or paradox, aiming to foster plurality and diversity rather than imposing prescription and definition.

Drawing from case studies across Australia, Aoteoroa/New Zealand, the United States, and Iceland, as well as explorations of embodied experience, creative practice, philosophy, and First Nations land management approaches, the assembled chapters examine wilderness ideals, conflicts, and human-nature dualities in fresh ways. By demonstrating a strong commitment to respecting the knowledge and perspectives of Indigenous peoples, the book offers a nuanced, ethical, and decolonizing approach to issues arising from relationships with wilderness.

This collection is particularly relevant in the context of the political challenges and social complexities of our time, as well as the mounting threats to life across the globe. The overarching logic of the book is to make a unique and innovative contribution to engender transformations in wilderness scholarship, activism, and conservation policy. It refutes the inherent privileging and exclusionary tactics of dominant modes of inquiry that too often serve to silence non-human and contrary perspectives.

In conclusion, Rethinking Wilderness and the Wild: Conflict, Conservation, and Co-existence is a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on wilderness and its relationship with human societies. By expanding the horizons of inquiry and promoting a more inclusive and diverse approach, the book contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the complexities and challenges associated with wilderness conservation and co-existence. It is a must-read for scholars, activists, and policymakers interested in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for our natural world.

Weight: 580g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367615901